TCNJ vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

TCNJ vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes ($25,580 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 7.4% lower than at Wilkes University ($14,976 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 121.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $23,864 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.9% higher at Wilkes than at The College of New Jersey (about $17,744 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at The College of New Jersey (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 112% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($28,324 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 100 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

TCNJ vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Wilkes graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.