Trinity College vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Trinity College based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

Trinity College vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

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

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The College of New Jersey than Trinity College ($25,580 vs. $36,071).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 20.7% lower than at Trinity College ($14,976 vs. $18,890).
• Trinity College is 260.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $51,138 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174.8% higher at Trinity College than at The College of New Jersey (about $45,018 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at The College of New Jersey (73% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity College students is 287.4% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($51,754 vs. $13,360).

Trinity College vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Trinity College or TCNJ? 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 TCNJ and Trinity College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Trinity College (1380) is 140 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Trinity College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 1298/1470; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Trinity College students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Trinity College (29.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

Trinity College vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity College and TCNJ? 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Trinity College's (86%).
• Graduates from Trinity College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,500 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($21,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($217 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.