The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) vs Rowan University

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Rowan University stand out as two prominent institutions of higher learning in New Jersey, each offering unique educational experiences. TCNJ, a public liberal arts college, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 52% compared to Rowan University's 79%. While TCNJ excels in liberal arts and sciences, Rowan University shines in engineering, business, and health professions. TCNJ's student body is predominantly female, while Rowan University has a more balanced gender ratio. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with TCNJ's reaching 82% and Rowan University's at 73%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two esteemed universities and discover which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Rowan University	The College of New Jersey
Overview
Location	Glassboro, New Jersey	Ewing, New Jersey
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	83.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	83.8%	62.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1070 - 1280	1170 - 1350
ACT range	23 - 30	25 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%	42.0%
Students submitting ACT score	3.0%	7.0%
Total number of applicants	11,659	10,393
Total number of admissions given out	9,767	6,442
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,191	1,476
Yield rate	22.4%	22.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,181 Out of state: $39,213	In state: $35,837 Out of state: $48,144
Average net price	$21,425	$13,269
Tuition	In state: $10,302 Out of state: $19,334	In state: $13,603 Out of state: $25,910
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,820 Meal plan: $4,784	Room/dormitory: $9,706 Meal plan: $4,046
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	75.0% Average amount $9,344	48.0% Average amount $10,531
Students receiving federal student loan	53.0% Average amount $5,360	40.0% Average amount $5,217
Students taking out private loans	12.0% Average amount $17,107	9.0% Average amount $16,857

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	15,119 Men 52.5% Women 47.5%	6,959 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	3,933 Men 41.8% Women 58.2%	630 Men 20.2% Women 79.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	5.4%	5.7%
International students	2.3%	0.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,418	3,218
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Maryland Delaware	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Maryland Delaware

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Psychology Engineering	Education Business Health Professions Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.6%	86.9%
Dropout rate	12.6%	3.2%
Transferred out	16.3%	9.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,964 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $82,432 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $77,478 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $77,437 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,059 Year 2: $67,899 Year 3: $74,727 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,732 Year 2: $72,742 Year 3: $74,616 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,540 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $72,253 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,819 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $70,490 Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,188 Year 2: $58,387 Year 3: $69,683 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,459 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $68,928 Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $56,140 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $68,138 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,859 Year 2: $60,358 Year 3: $65,227	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,094 Year 2: $70,009 Year 3: $84,723 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,953 Year 2: $75,946 Year 3: $79,839 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,294 Year 2: $64,581 Year 3: $75,229 Engineering Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $58,866 Year 3: $72,488 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,124 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $70,528 Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $70,181 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,470 Year 2: $56,797 Year 3: $69,170 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,949 Year 2: $58,402 Year 3: $64,382 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,144 Year 2: $62,632 Year 3: $63,542 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,154 Year 2: $58,568 Year 3: $60,548

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Rowan University?

TCNJ is primarily an undergraduate-focused, highly selective public liberal arts college known for its strong emphasis on teaching and residential campus experience. Rowan University, on the other hand, is a comprehensive public research university with a broader range of programs, including graduate studies and professional schools, and a growing research profile. TCNJ is generally considered more selective in its admissions process than Rowan.
Which school is larger, TCNJ or Rowan University?

Rowan University is significantly larger than TCNJ. Rowan has a larger student body, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate students, while TCNJ primarily focuses on undergraduate education with a smaller overall enrollment.
How do the academic programs at TCNJ and Rowan University compare?

TCNJ excels in undergraduate programs, particularly in education, business, engineering, and the liberal arts. Rowan University offers a wider array of programs, including those at the graduate level, and is known for its engineering, business, communication, and medical programs. Rowan also has a medical school, which TCNJ does not.
What is the campus environment like at TCNJ versus Rowan University?

TCNJ offers a traditional, residential college experience with a strong sense of community. The campus is designed to foster close interactions between students and faculty. Rowan University has a more diverse campus environment, reflecting its larger size and broader range of programs. It offers a mix of traditional and modern facilities, with ongoing expansion and development.
How do the costs of attending TCNJ and Rowan University compare?

Tuition and fees at both TCNJ and Rowan University are comparable for in-state students, as they are both public institutions in New Jersey. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors such as housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information and to explore available financial aid options.
Which school is better for students interested in research opportunities?

While both institutions offer research opportunities, Rowan University has a stronger emphasis on research, particularly at the graduate level. Rowan has invested heavily in research infrastructure and faculty, making it a better choice for students seeking extensive research experience. TCNJ also offers undergraduate research opportunities, but they are generally more focused on undergraduate involvement.
What are the admission requirements like for TCNJ and Rowan University?

TCNJ is generally more selective in its admissions process than Rowan University. TCNJ typically requires higher standardized test scores and a stronger academic record. Rowan University has a more holistic admission process, considering a wider range of factors beyond academic performance. It's important to check the specific admission requirements for each program at both universities.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between TCNJ and Rowan University?

Both TCNJ and Rowan University offer career services and internship opportunities to their students. TCNJ's strong alumni network and focus on undergraduate education can provide excellent internship and job placement opportunities, particularly in the New Jersey region. Rowan University's location and connections in South Jersey, along with its growing research profile, also provide diverse career and internship options. The best choice depends on your specific field of study and career goals.
What are the athletic programs like at TCNJ and Rowan University?

Both TCNJ and Rowan University have competitive NCAA Division III athletic programs. TCNJ has a strong tradition in athletics, with a history of success in various sports. Rowan University also has a robust athletic program, with a focus on providing opportunities for student-athletes to excel both on and off the field. Both schools offer a wide range of varsity sports.
Which school is located in a more urban or rural setting?

TCNJ is located in Ewing Township, a suburban setting in Mercer County, New Jersey. Rowan University is located in Glassboro, New Jersey, which is a more rural setting in Gloucester County, although the university's presence has led to significant development in the surrounding area. Both locations offer access to nearby cities and attractions.

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