ULM vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Monroe is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (8,601 students vs. 8,141 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

ULM vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM 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 University of Louisiana at Monroe than TCNJ ($13,648 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 29.5% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($10,554 vs. $14,976).
• The College of New Jersey is 113.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $10,442 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at TCNJ than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $4,462 more per year; $25,752.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at The College of New Jersey (95% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 0.2% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students ($13,360 vs. $13,338).

ULM vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ULM or TCNJ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TCNJ and ULM.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Louisiana at Monroe (1260) is 20 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman ULM students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

ULM vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM and TCNJ? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($206 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 49%)

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.