TCNJ vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

TCNJ vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Dickinson College? 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 The College of New Jersey than Dickinson College ($25,580 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 12.4% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,976 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 234.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $46,018 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.9% higher at Dickinson College than at The College of New Jersey (about $39,898 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at The College of New Jersey (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 232.9% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($44,479 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College and TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 150 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Dickinson College 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: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

TCNJ vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $100 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($21,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($217 vs. $240).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 85%)

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.