TCNJ Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at TCNJ is 62%.  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, 6,442 out of the 10,393 who applied were admitted.

The school has very high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 26 percent on standardized admission tests. 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. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into TCNJ?

62% 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.

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 1260 on the SAT
• Score 28 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
• Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

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 62% 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.

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to The College of New Jersey. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 42% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

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 1260 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1170-1350. Students who get into The College of New Jersey score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers..  TCNJ ranks #6 in the state of New Jersey and #206 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1260 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. TCNJ regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1170 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1170, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1080, 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 "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

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 1260, you have around a 62% chance of being admitted. A 1350 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 76% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

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 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 32.  The school ranks #7 in New Jersey and #192 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

7 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 "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

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 28 score has around 62% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 77% with a 32 ACT score.

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.

Admission Statistics

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

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

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?

Credits Accepted

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 1260 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT will further lock in your application.