The College of New Jersey
Ewing, New Jersey · Public · 62.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
The College of New Jersey scores 83 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale -- an excellent result for a public institution with $19,632 in-state tuition. An 85.9% completion rate is one of the strongest in its peer group. Median 6-year earnings of $49,000 are solid, and the 6.5-year payback period is respectable. The repayment rate of 89.3% is high. Median debt of $23,250 is in line with the sector. The low-income aid model is genuinely strong: the 0-30000 bracket pays $7,908 per year, making TCNJ accessible for low-income New Jersey families. Top programs show strong outputs: Registered Nursing (67 graduates, $85,986 year-one, B+ grade), Computer and Information Sciences (47 graduates, $84,539 year-one, B+ grade), and Accounting (43 graduates, $74,403 year-one, B+ grade). Business Administration is the highest-volume program at 276 graduates, earning $56,286 year-one and $85,978 at year four. At 7,105 undergraduates, TCNJ is a mid-size public with strong regional reputation in New Jersey. The school functions as the state's premier public liberal arts university, competing with privates on educational quality while maintaining public pricing. Pell grant rate of 21% reflects meaningful access, and the repayment and completion metrics confirm graduates are managing their outcomes well.
The College of New Jersey scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
The College of New Jersey
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $19,632/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $25,752/yr |
| Average net price | $27,646/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $110,584 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $73,323 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $49,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 85.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,105 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at The College of New Jersey is $19,632/year ($25,752/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $27,646/year, or roughly $110,584 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,908/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $35,222/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $73,323 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.47 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,908 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,028 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,642 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,942 |
| $110,001+ | $35,222 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $7,908 per year -- under $32,000 over four years. Against median 6-year earnings of $49,000 and an 85.9% completion rate, TCNJ represents exceptional value for low-income New Jersey families. Access to a selective public education at this price point, with the school's repayment rate of 89.3%, is a strong proposition. The binding constraint is admission, not cost.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families face a meaningful cost step: the 48001-75000 bracket pays $22,642 per year and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $30,942. Four-year cost ranges from $90,000 to $124,000. Even at the higher end, these figures compare favorably to equivalent private institutions with similar outcomes. The 6.5-year payback period at median earnings makes middle-income investment reasonable.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $35,222 per year -- about $141,000 over four years. At this level, TCNJ is still significantly less expensive than comparable private universities in the Northeast. The 83 ROI score and strong completion and repayment metrics support the investment. Programs like nursing and accounting produce year-one earnings that recover even this cost within a few years.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at The College of New Jersey with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $85,978 | B |
| Biology | $75,531 | D |
| Psychology | $62,397 | D |
| Teacher Education | $59,328 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $68,654 | C |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $51,033 | D |
| Special Education and Teaching | $66,767 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $104,369 | B+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $61,605 | C |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $62,281 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (67 graduates) is the top-earning program: $85,986 year-one, $104,369 at year four (B+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.305, median debt $26,204). Year-one nursing earnings at TCNJ are strong by regional standards. The four-year trajectory to $104k reflects career progression in New Jersey's healthcare market. Debt-to-earnings of 0.305 is reasonable. This is a high-value program at public pricing.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (47 graduates) earns $84,539 year-one and $105,377 at year four (B+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.285, median debt $24,125). Strong year-one earnings reflect New Jersey's proximity to New York City technology employers. Four-year trajectory to $105k is solid. The B+ grade on a public university price base represents excellent value -- equivalent outcomes at a comparable private would cost far more.
Accounting
Accounting (43 graduates) earns $74,403 year-one and $111,509 at year four (B+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.302, median debt $22,500). The four-year jump to $111k is exceptional for an accounting program and reflects placement into Big Four and regional firms in the New York metropolitan area. This is a standout outcome for a public university accounting program.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (276 graduates, the largest program) earns $56,286 year-one and $85,978 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.413, median debt $23,250). Year-one is solid for a public business program in the region. The four-year arc to $86k is strong. Volume of 276 graduates means this is a major component of TCNJ's employment pipeline. B grade ROI is appropriate -- good but not exceptional at the institutional price point.
Psychology
Psychology (134 graduates) earns $28,920 year-one and $62,397 at year four (D grade, debt-to-earnings 0.861, median debt $24,905). Year-one earnings of $29k are very low and the D grade is accurate -- debt service on nearly $25,000 at $29k earnings is immediately burdensome. The four-year trajectory to $62k shows long-run improvement but requires weathering a difficult early career period. Many psychology graduates pursue graduate school, which explains the gap.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 85.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 89.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 89.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 62.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 570-670 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 26-31 |
| Enrollment | 7,105 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,766 |
At 62.3%, TCNJ is moderately selective for a public institution -- more competitive than most state regionals. SAT Math 570-670 and Reading 570-670 (ACT 26-31) describe the mid-range. Students at the lower end of the range who gain admission access the same credential as top-decile admits at significantly better ROI than many comparable privates at higher cost.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
TCNJ's Scorecard peers include Rowan University and CUNY Brooklyn College. Among New Jersey public institutions, TCNJ is the selective flagship of the state college system. Rowan is comparable in mission but broader in access. CUNY schools offer lower absolute cost but serve a different market. TCNJ's 83 ROI score is one of the stronger public university scores in the mid-Atlantic region, driven by New York labor market proximity, a high completion rate, and a strong aid model for low-income students.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| The College of New Jersey (this school) | 83 | $27,646 | $73,323 |
| Farmingdale State College | 83 | $10,867 | $69,781 |
| CUNY City College | 82 | $3,776 | $66,039 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| Rowan University | 66 | $22,408 | $59,988 |
| Bloomfield College of Montclair State University | 50 | $28,014 | $61,415 |
Who Thrives Here
TCNJ admits 62.3% of applicants, with SAT mid-ranges of 570-670 Math and 570-670 Reading (ACT 26-31). At 7,105 undergraduates, it is smaller than most state flagships. TCNJ attracts New Jersey students who want a selective public education without the scale of Rutgers. The education, nursing, and business programs are strong by public university standards. Students coming for liberal arts, fine arts, or social sciences should weigh the program-level ROI data; outcomes vary significantly by major.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
The College of New Jersey delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $27,646 per year ($110,584 over four years), graduates earn a median of $73,323 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.5 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 85.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,250 against $73,323 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.