The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

The College of New Jersey Acceptance Rate

The College of New Jersey is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of The College of New Jersey is 62.1%. This means that 62 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
• Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.

Selectivity at a Glance

Somewhat Selective

Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 62.1% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.29 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.09 – 3.28

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 2.84

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

TCNJ GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at TCNJ is 3.29. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.

A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.

If your GPA is between 2.99 and 3.29, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.

Check Your Admission Chances at TCNJ

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into TCNJ Without SAT or ACT?

The College of New Jersey Average SAT Score: 1247

The average SAT score of the admitted students at The College of New Jersey is 1247 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1247 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1247 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1140, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at TCNJ. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1140 then you are below most of the admitted students at TCNJ and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1340 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250

Can I get into The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) with a 1350 SAT?

With a 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) are good but the admission staff at TCNJ tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at TCNJ is 28.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 28 — Competitive

This score makes The College of New Jersey Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 28 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into The College of New Jersey with a 31 ACT?

A 31 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at The College of New Jersey — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at The College of New Jersey use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that The College of New Jersey — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether The College of New Jersey uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 31 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 28

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for TCNJ

TCNJ Profile

Is a TCNJ Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The College of New Jersey. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Birmingham-Southern College	Birmingham, AL	1197	24
University of Mobile	Mobile, AL	1220	24
Samford University	Birmingham, AL	1203	26
John Brown University	Siloam Springs, AR	1222	26
Ouachita Baptist University	Arkadelphia, AR	1212	25
California Lutheran University	Thousand Oaks, CA	1224	26
University of Redlands	Redlands, CA	1231	28
Eastern Connecticut State University	Willimantic, CT	1200	NA
University of Hartford	West Hartford, CT	1207	29
Quinnipiac University	Hamden, CT	1212	27

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The College of New Jersey. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Alabama at Birmingham	Birmingham, AL	1251	26
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott	Prescott, AZ	1256	27
Eckerd College	Saint Petersburg, FL	1256	27
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach	Daytona Beach, FL	1256	27
Covenant College	Lookout Mountain, GA	1254	27

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The College of New Jersey. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Alabama in Huntsville	Huntsville, AL	1321	28
The University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	1287	28
Auburn University	Auburn, AL	1318	28
University of the Pacific	Stockton, CA	1303	27
Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego, CA	1278	26

Degree Programs at TCNJ

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by The College of New Jersey →

Frequently Asked Questions About TCNJ Admissions