The College of New Jersey College Portrait
The College of New Jersey2000 Pennington Road Ewing, NJ 08628-0718
609.771.2131
The College of New Jersey
The College of New Jersey is an exceptional institution that applies innovative approaches in teaching its students to live, learn, and explore throughout their collegiate experience. A small, public college located in central New Jersey, TCNJ welcomes students in search of an interactive educational environment that will challenge their ambitions, inside and outside of the classroom.
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is a highly selective institution that has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. Founded in 1855, TCNJ has become an exemplar of the best in public higher education and is consistently acknowledged as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the nation. TCNJ currently is ranked as one of the 75 “Most Competitive
Living in the Lions Community
The Lions Community
Known for its natural beauty, TCNJ’s campus is set on 289 tree-lined acres in suburban Ewing Township. The Office for Academic Support Programs provides services such as tutoring, college transitional assistance, and peer mentoring. The Division of Student Affairs also offers a broad range of programs, services, and facilities to engage students as active learners and responsible citizens. The College encourages students to expand their talents and skills through more than 150 student organizations. These groups range from performing ensembles and professional and honor societies to student publications, Greek organizations, as well as intramural and club sports. High achievement and scholarship in the classroom have been mirrored by the success of The College of New Jersey’s varsity student-athletes. Since 1979, The College of New Jersey has amassed a total of 38 Division III crowns in seven different sports.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 7,115 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 6,460 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 3,626 | 56% |
| Men | 2,669 | 41% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 6 | <1% |
| Asian | 373 | 6% |
| African American / Black | 378 | 6% |
| Hispanic | 602 | 9% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 31 | <1% |
| White | 4,278 | 66% |
| Two or More Races | 122 | 2% |
| International | 36 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 634 | 10% |
| Where do TCNJ undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | 95% |
| Other US States & Territories | 5% |
| Other Countries | <1% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are TCNJ undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 20 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 2% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 26 - 31 | |
| Math | 590 - 680 | |
| Critical Reading | 560 - 670 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 91% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 100% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 71% | |
| Average High School GPA Data Not Available | ||
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $28,064
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend The College of New Jersey varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 20% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $9,690. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 36% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,633. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
TCNJ Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 13 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 85% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 99% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 348 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 49% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 22% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 89% |
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Campus-based Housing
96% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
62% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
The College of New Jersey Campus Police Services consists of thirty men and women employed to provide for the safety of the members of the College community and the security of all property on campus. All of our police officers are fully trained, commissioned, and armed. These officers routinely patrol the campus on foot, in vehicles, and on bicycles, providing law enforcement and security services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
- Size and Setting
- Medium four-year, highly residential
- Enrollment Profile
- Very high undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, more selective, lower transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Postbaccalaureate with arts & sciences (education dominant)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at TCNJ
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 98% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 60% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 42% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 87% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 30% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 78% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 82% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 21% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 99% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 97% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 64% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 75% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 95% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 46% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 82% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 98% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 77% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 65% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 89% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 65% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 89% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 92% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 84% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at The College of New Jersey in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 1,444 |
| Master's | 334 |
| Total | 1,778 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| EDUCATION | 26% |
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 17% |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 9% |
| Psychology, General | 9% |
| ENGINEERING | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at The College of New Jersey |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster's |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 97% four-year success and progress rate means that 97% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,231 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 233 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 94%
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Student Learning at The College of New Jersey
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Assessment of Student Learning at TCNJ
TCNJ uses student learning outcomes assessment to make continuous improvements in all academic programs. Programs with national accreditation follow comprehensive yearly assessment plans to measure all accreditation standards. All other programs participate in the college’s One Question/One Answer assessment program (initiated in 2005) to engage in yearly assessment of at least one program-defined student learning outcome. All programs share the results of their assessment efforts in order to facilitate the development of a culture of assessment across campus. Our campus-wide Liberal Learning program has revised its comprehensive assessment plan which includes the first administration of the ETS Proficiency Profile in academic year 2010-2011.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
2010- Results from the ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP)
The ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and written communication and reports separate scores on critical thinking and written communication.
Test Administration Process
Test Information
Critical Thinking Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 114
Senior Score: 116
ETS score range: 100 to 130
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1235
Senior Score: 1219
Written Communication Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 118
Senior Score: 118
ETS score range: 100 to 130
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1235
Senior Score: 1219