TCNJ vs. Mason

Should I go to The College of New Jersey or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if TCNJ or Mason is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU Rutgers VCU Virginia Tech CNU NJIT Rowan University Old Dominion UVA UMBC UD Rider University
The College of New Jersey vs. George Mason University comparison
The College of New Jersey George Mason University College 3 College 4
The College of New Jersey George Mason University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

TCNJ Mason
Location Ewing, NJ Fairfax, VA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,629 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #175 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website tcnj.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

TCNJ Mason
Tuition (In State) $14,140 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $26,934 $35,377
Room & Board $14,144 $13,120
Avg Net Price $22,273 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $11,826 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 58% 74%

Admission

TCNJ Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,302 20,001
Admitted 6,638 18,001
Acceptance Rate 64.4% 90%
Enrolled % 23.8% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.68
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/30 25/31
SAT Range 1140/1350 1140/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2024 Feb 1, 2024

Academics

TCNJ Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (22%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

TCNJ Mason
Graduation Rate 87% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $62,100 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $240 $204

Diversity

TCNJ Mason
% Men 42% 48%
% Women 58% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 43%
% Black 6% 11%
% Hispanic 12% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 5% 5%

Students

TCNJ Mason
% In-State 95% 77%
% Out-of-State 5% 17%

Campus

TCNJ Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 7,629 students)

TCNJ vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Mason?

  • The College of New Jersey is 44.4% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($14,140.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.3% higher at Mason than The College of New Jersey ($35,377.00 vs. $26,934.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than TCNJ ($18,479 vs. $22,273)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 7.8% lower than costs at The College of New Jersey ($13,120 vs. $14,144)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than The College of New Jersey (74% vs. 58%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 9.9% larger than aid received George Mason University ($11,826 vs. $10,760)

TCNJ vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or TCNJ .

  • The average SAT score at The College of New Jersey (1227) is 74 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming TCNJ students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at TCNJ (3.29)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than TCNJ (64.4%)

TCNJ vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, TCNJ or Mason? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mason and TCNJ.

  • The graduation rate at TCNJ is higher than George Mason University (87% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn on average $200 more per year than Mason graduates after ten years. ($62,100 vs. $61,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than TCNJ graduates. ($19,750 vs. $23,250)
  • Mason graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than TCNJ graduates. ($204 vs. $240)
  • More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/