TCNJ vs. Clarkson

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

The College of New Jersey
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: TCNJ (62.3% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1240 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: TCNJ. Average net price is $25,580 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: TCNJ 87% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: TCNJ $62,100 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

The College of New Jersey Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
TCNJ more selective
TCNJ62.3%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
TCNJ1140-1340
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
TCNJ $6,826 less
TCNJ$25,580
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
TCNJ $39,766 less
TCNJ$19,632
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
TCNJ $33,646 less
TCNJ$25,752
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
TCNJ +15 pts
TCNJ87%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$8,700
TCNJ$62,100
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • TCNJ 12,766
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • TCNJ 7,952
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • TCNJ 62.3%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • TCNJ 19.7%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • TCNJ 1240
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • TCNJ 28
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • TCNJ 3.29
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • TCNJ B+
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • TCNJ Difficult
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • TCNJ Low
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • TCNJ 1140-1340
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • TCNJ 26-31
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • TCNJ Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • TCNJ Feb 1, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • TCNJ $19,632
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • TCNJ $25,752
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • TCNJ $14,976
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • TCNJ $25,580
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • TCNJ $13,360
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • TCNJ 59%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • TCNJ 87%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • TCNJ $62,100
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • TCNJ 85%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • TCNJ $23,250
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • TCNJ $240
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • TCNJ 14:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • TCNJ
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • TCNJ Ewing, NJ
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • TCNJ Large Suburban
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • TCNJ 8,141
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • TCNJ Public 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • TCNJ #177
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 17.9% lower than at Clarkson University ($14,976 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 130.7% higher at Clarkson than at The College of New Jersey (about $33,646 more per year; $59,398 vs. $25,752).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at The College of New Jersey (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 248.3% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($46,528 vs. $13,360).

Admissions details

  • Incoming TCNJ students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at Clarkson (28).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both TCNJ and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.51 higher than at TCNJ (3.29).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 85%).

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

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