TESC vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, NJ with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Edison State University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (7,544 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Edison State University is located in Trenton, NJ (Small City setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• Thomas Edison State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Edison State University 20:1; Plaza College 28:1.

TESC vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TESC or Plaza College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Edison State University are 66.6% lower than at Plaza College ($5,170 vs. $15,500).
• Plaza College is 125.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TESC (about $8,612 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $6,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at Plaza College than at Thomas Edison State University (about $6,594 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $8,856.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at Thomas Edison State University (93% vs. 0%).

TESC vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TESC or Plaza College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Plaza College and TESC.

• Thomas Edison State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TESC - Open admission; Plaza College - Test-free.

TESC vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TESC and Plaza College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Thomas Edison State University earn a median of about $30,500 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,800 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Edison State University graduates have a $3,165 lower median loan debt than Plaza College graduates ($10,750 vs. $13,915).
• Among borrowers, TESC graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Plaza College graduates ($111 vs. $143).
• More TESC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.