Choosing the right college is a significant decision in anyone’s life. In this article, we will compare two popular schools, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and State University of New York at Stony Brook (SUNY Stony Brook), to help you make an informed decision. We will cover various aspects, including costs, admissions, academics, diversity, campus, rankings, and outcomes.
TCNJ Overview
The College of New Jersey, commonly known as TCNJ, is a public institution located in Ewing, New Jersey, and was established in 1855. It is known for its strong emphasis on liberal arts education and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. With a small campus and a tight-knit community, TCNJ provides a supportive and engaging learning environment for its students.
TCNJ Costs & Tuition
The estimated total cost of attendance for in-state students at TCNJ is approximately $32,000 per year, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Out-of-state students can expect to pay around $47,000 per year. Financial aid is available, and about 72% of full-time students receive some form of aid, with the average grant or scholarship being $10,066.
TCNJ Admissions
TCNJ has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 49%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.8, and the middle 50% SAT score range is between 1200 and 1390. The college requires applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores, along with a personal essay, letters of recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities.
TCNJ Degrees Offered
TCNJ offers over 50 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate programs in various fields, including liberal arts, business, education, engineering, and nursing. Some of the popular majors at TCNJ are Business, Psychology, Engineering, and Education.
TCNJ Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1 and an average class size of 21 students, TCNJ provides a personalized and engaging learning experience. The college has a strong focus on research and offers numerous opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research projects. TCNJ also has a robust study abroad program, with over 30% of students participating in international experiences.
TCNJ Diversity
TCNJ has a diverse student body, with approximately 29% of students identifying as non-white. The college also has a variety of clubs and organizations that promote cultural awareness and inclusivity, such as the Black Student Union, Latin American Student Organization, and Asian American Association.
TCNJ Students
TCNJ has a total enrollment of around 6,955 students, with the majority being undergraduate students. The college offers a vibrant campus life, with over 200 clubs and organizations, ranging from academic and professional organizations to recreational and special interest groups.
TCNJ Campus
The TCNJ campus is spread over 289 acres and features a mix of modern and historical architecture. The college’s facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, research labs, libraries, and recreational spaces. There is also an emphasis on sustainability, with several buildings on campus being LEED-certified.
TCNJ Alumni
Notable alumni from TCNJ include Chris Smith, a former U.S. Congressman, Holly Black, a bestselling author, and Jaynee LaVecchia, a New Jersey Supreme Court Justice.
TCNJ Rankings
TCNJ is consistently ranked among the top public colleges in the United States. In the 2021 edition of the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, TCNJ ranked #4 in Regional Universities North and #1 in Top Public Schools among regional universities in the North.
TCNJ Outcomes
The graduation rate at TCNJ is 86%, and the average starting salary for graduates is around $55,000. The college has a strong commitment to helping students succeed in their careers, with various career services and resources available, including internships, job fairs, and networking events.
SUNY Stony Brook Overview
State University of New York at Stony Brook, commonly known as SUNY Stony Brook or Stony Brook University, is a public research institution located in Stony Brook, New York. Established in 1957, the university is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is known for its strong emphasis on research, particularly in the fields of science and engineering.
SUNY Stony Brook Costs & Tuition
The estimated total cost of attendance for in-state students at SUNY Stony Brook is approximately $26,500 per year, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Out-of-state students can expect to pay around $46,000 per year. Financial aid is available, and about 74% of full-time students receive some form of aid, with the average grant or scholarship being $9,799.
SUNY Stony Brook Admissions
SUNY Stony Brook has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 44%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.8, and the middle 50% SAT score range is between 1230 and 1440. The university requires applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores, along with a personal essay, letters of recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities.
SUNY Stony Brook Degrees Offered
SUNY Stony Brook offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including liberal arts, business, education, engineering, and health sciences. Some of the popular majors at SUNY Stony Brook are Health Professions, Engineering, Computer and Information Sciences, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.
SUNY Stony Brook Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1 and an average class size of 28 students, SUNY Stony Brook provides a challenging and engaging learning experience. The university has a strong focus on research and offers numerous opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research projects. SUNY Stony Brook also has a robust study abroad program, with over 25% of students participating in international experiences.
SUNY Stony Brook Diversity
SUNY Stony Brook has a diverse student body, with approximately 53% of students identifying as non-white. The university also has a variety of clubs and organizations that promote cultural awareness and inclusivity, such as the Black Student Union, Latin American and Caribbean Student Organization, and Chinese Association.
SUNY Stony Brook Students
SUNY Stony Brook has a total enrollment of around 26,256 students, with the majority being undergraduate students. The university offers a vibrant campus life, with over 400 clubs and organizations, ranging from academic and professional organizations to recreational and special-interest groups.
SUNY Stony Brook Campus
The SUNY Stony Brook campus is spread over 1,400 acres and features a mix of modern and historical architecture. The university’s facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, research labs, libraries, and recreational spaces. There is also an emphasis on sustainability, with several buildings on campus being LEED-certified.
SUNY Stony Brook Alumni
Notable alumni from SUNY Stony Brook include John L. Hennessy, former President of Stanford University, Joe Nathan, a former Major League Baseball player, and Christine Goerke, a Grammy Award-winning opera singer.
SUNY Stony Brook Rankings
SUNY Stony Brook is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2021 edition of the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, SUNY Stony Brook ranked #88 in National Universities and #34 in Top Public Schools among national universities.
SUNY Stony Brook Outcomes
The graduation rate at SUNY Stony Brook is 74%, and the average starting salary for graduates is around $52,000. The university has a strong commitment to helping students succeed in their careers, with various career services and resources available, including internships, job fairs, and networking events.
TCNJ vs SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparision
In terms of costs, SUNY Stony Brook is more affordable for in-state students, with an estimated total cost of attendance of $26,500 per year, compared to TCNJ’s $32,000 per year. However, for out-of-state students, the costs are similar, with both schools charging around $46,000 to $47,000 per year. Both institutions offer financial aid packages to help students cover the costs of attendance, with similar average grant and scholarship amounts.
TCNJ vs SUNY Stony Brook Admissions Difficulty
Both TCNJ and SUNY Stony Brook have competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 49% and 44%, respectively. The average high school GPA and SAT scores of admitted students are similar for both schools, with TCNJ having a slightly higher average GPA (3.8) compared to SUNY Stony Brook (3.7). The middle 50% SAT score range is slightly higher for SUNY Stony Brook (1230-1440) than for TCNJ (1200-1390).
TCNJ vs SUNY Stony Brook Academic Difficulty
Both TCNJ and SUNY Stony Brook offer challenging and engaging academic experiences for their students. TCNJ has a smaller student-faculty ratio (13:1) and a smaller average class size (21 students), which may provide a more personalized learning experience. However, SUNY Stony Brook is a research-intensive institution and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, which may offer more opportunities for students interested in research and advanced studies.
TCNJ vs SUNY Stony Brook Outcome Comparision
The graduation rate at TCNJ (86%) is higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (74%), indicating better student retention and success. The average starting salary for TCNJ graduates is also slightly higher, at $55,000, compared to SUNY Stony Brook’s $52,000. Both institutions offer career services and resources to help students succeed in their careers, including internships, job fairs, and networking events.
