UMass vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

UMass vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst than TCNJ ($22,948 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 10.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($14,976 vs. $16,710).
• The College of New Jersey is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $1,860 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.1% higher at UMass than at The College of New Jersey (about $14,697 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at The College of New Jersey (81% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 1.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($13,360 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 170 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming UMass students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

UMass vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($240 vs. $248).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 76%)

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.