Emerson vs. TCNJ

Emerson College and The College of New Jersey side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
The College of New Jersey

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 62.3%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: TCNJ. Average net price is $25,580 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs TCNJ 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs TCNJ $62,100 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College The College of New Jersey
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
TCNJ62.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
TCNJ1140-1340
Average net price
TCNJ $27,852 less
Emerson$53,432
TCNJ$25,580
In-state tuition
TCNJ $37,424 less
Emerson$57,056
TCNJ$19,632
Out-of-state tuition
TCNJ $31,304 less
Emerson$57,056
TCNJ$25,752
Graduation rate
TCNJ +6 pts
Emerson81%
TCNJ87%
Median earnings (10 years)
TCNJ +$12,900
Emerson$49,200
TCNJ$62,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • TCNJ 12,766
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • TCNJ 7,952
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • TCNJ 62.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • TCNJ 19.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • TCNJ 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • TCNJ 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • TCNJ 3.29
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • TCNJ B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • TCNJ Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • TCNJ Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • TCNJ 1140-1340
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • TCNJ 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • TCNJ Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • TCNJ Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • TCNJ $19,632
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • TCNJ $25,752
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • TCNJ $14,976
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • TCNJ $25,580
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • TCNJ $13,360
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • TCNJ 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • TCNJ 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • TCNJ $62,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • TCNJ 85%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • TCNJ $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • TCNJ $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • TCNJ 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • TCNJ
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • TCNJ Ewing, NJ
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • TCNJ Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • TCNJ 8,141
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • TCNJ Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • TCNJ #177

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson 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: Emerson College 14:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 28.4% lower than at Emerson College ($14,976 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 121.6% higher at Emerson than at The College of New Jersey (about $31,304 more per year; $57,056 vs. $25,752).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at The College of New Jersey (77% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 102.1% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($26,997 vs. $13,360).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Emerson than at TCNJ (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and TCNJ.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.44 higher than at TCNJ (3.29).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($240 vs. $242).
  • More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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