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#2 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

TCNJ Admission Requirements

Ewing, New Jersey

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into The College of New Jersey

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

64.4%
Admission Difficulty for The College of New Jersey
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at TCNJ is 64.4%.  Its admission rate is the 4th lowest in New Jersey.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into TCNJ and can you get accepted?

TCNJ is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 6,638 out of the 10,302 who applied were admitted.

The College of New Jersey typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.29. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into TCNJ?

64% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to The College of New Jersey you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.29 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1250 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

TCNJ GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.29*

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into The College of New Jersey?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into TCNJ are to have around a 3.29 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as TCNJ accepts 64% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at TCNJ is 3.29 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #17 in New Jersey for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since TCNJ is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.29 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

TCNJ SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to The College of New Jersey. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 46% of students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1350

Applicants Submitting SAT 

46%
SAT Scores for The College of New Jersey
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 570
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for The College of New Jersey
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 680
Composite 75th Percentile 1350
Average SAT Score 1250

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to The College of New Jersey?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at TCNJ is 1250 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1350. Students who get into The College of New Jersey score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  TCNJ ranks #6 in the state of New Jersey for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1250 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. TCNJ regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1030, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

The College of New Jersey is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1250 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1245, you have around a 64% chance of being admitted. A 1350 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 77% chance of getting in.

The College of New Jersey admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1350 and Above Good >77%
1245 to 1350 Avg + 64%-77%
1140 to 1245 Avg - 48%-64%
1035 to 1140 Reach 33%-48%
Less than 1035 Low <33%
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TCNJ ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

24-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

4%
ACT Scores for The College of New Jersey
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 24
ACT Scores for The College of New Jersey
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into TCNJ?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to TCNJ is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 30.  The school ranks #10 in New Jersey for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 21.

4 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to The College of New Jersey.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as The College of New Jersey is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into TCNJ for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 64% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 77% with a 30 ACT score.

The College of New Jersey admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >77%
27 to 30 Avg + 64%-77%
24 to 27 Avg - 48%-64%
21 to 24 Reach 33%-48%
Less than 21 Low <33%
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High School Class Rank

64% of The College of New Jersey freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 30% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted The College of New Jersey students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 30%
Top 25% of class 64%
Top 50% of class 95%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

The College of New Jersey admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,855 4,447 10,302
Accepted 3,899 2,739 6,638
Acceptance Rate 67% 62% 64%
Enrolled 923 660 1,583
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 24% 24% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

89

Applicants have 89 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to The College of New Jersey is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to The College of New Jersey and what student information is used for admission decisions?

The College of New Jersey Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at The College of New Jersey
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because TCNJ is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.29 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1250 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to The College of New Jersey often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=187134 IPEDS survey data for The College of New Jersey.

Last updated February 24, 2024