The College of New Jersey admits approximately 62.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, with admission standards that are competitive but accessible to well-prepared students. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that The College of New Jersey is more selective than typical public institutions, accepting 22.4 percentage points fewer applicants than its peer group. This level of selectivity means that academically prepared students with solid test scores and grades have reasonable admission prospects, though the institution does maintain standards above open-access policies. For prospective applicants, this selectivity level suggests building a balanced college list that includes both more and less selective options. Students should expect meaningful competition for admission spots, particularly in popular programs like Business Administration and Nursing. The admissions process rewards academic preparation, and students with academic profiles within the institution's typical ranges should approach The College of New Jersey as a target school rather than a safety option. Geographic proximity to major metropolitan areas in New Jersey and New York means the applicant pool includes many academically competitive students from well-resourced school districts.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at The College of New Jersey typically score between 1140-1340 on the SAT, with a median of 1247. This represents top-tier performance nationally, ranking in the 96th percentile for standardized test scores. The middle 50% range shows Math scores from 570-670 and Verbal scores from 570-670, indicating balanced academic preparation across quantitative and verbal reasoning skills. ACT scores range from 25-31, with a median of 29, placing the institution in the 97th percentile nationally for ACT performance. Compared to peer institutions, The College of New Jersey's median SAT score of 1247 exceeds the peer median of 1090 by 157 points, demonstrating significantly higher academic standards than typical public institutions. These ranges indicate that most admitted students demonstrate strong academic preparation throughout high school. Students scoring within the 1140-1340 SAT range or 25-31 ACT range should consider themselves academically competitive for admission. Those scoring below these ranges are not automatically excluded but should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage and may want to strengthen other application components. Students should view these ranges as the middle 50% of enrolled students, meaning 25% of admits score below 1140 SAT or 25 ACT, while 25% score above 1340 SAT or 31 ACT. Prospective applicants should assess whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application strategy.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
The College of New Jersey enrolls 20.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 5 students comes from lower-income families qualifying for federal Pell grants. An additional 20.5% represent first-generation college students, demonstrating the institution serves students from diverse educational backgrounds alongside those from college-educated families. The transfer student population comprises 16.4% of enrollment, suggesting The College of New Jersey provides pathways for students beginning their higher education journey at community colleges or other institutions. This student composition indicates the institution balances accessibility for students from various socioeconomic backgrounds while maintaining selective admission standards. The Pell and first-generation shares are moderate compared to open-access institutions but meaningful for a selectively-oriented public college. Students from lower-income families should recognize that they will find peers with similar backgrounds, though they will also be joining a student body that includes many from more privileged circumstances. First-generation students should note that approximately 1 in 5 enrolled students share their background, which can be valuable for peer support and institutional programming. Transfer applicants should understand that while the institution accepts transfers, the 16.4% share indicates competitive transfer admission and limited spaces compared to first-year admission. Geographic diversity reflects the institution's position within the New York-Philadelphia corridor, attracting students from across the mid-Atlantic region.
Given The College of New Jersey's 62.1% acceptance rate and competitive academic profile, students should build comprehensive application lists including alternatives with different selectivity levels and similar post-graduation outcomes.
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Students who enroll at The College of New Jersey demonstrate strong persistence and completion outcomes. The retention rate of 90.2% significantly exceeds the peer median of 73.2%, indicating that 9 out of 10 freshmen return for sophomore year. The six-year graduation rate of 85.2% substantially outperforms the peer median of 49.3%, with graduates completing degrees at nearly twice the rate of peer institutions. Pell-eligible students graduate at 75.2%, creating a 10 percentage point gap compared to the overall graduation rate. While this gap indicates some additional challenges for lower-income students, the 75.2% Pell completion rate still exceeds many institutional averages nationally. The retention and graduation rates suggest that students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support systems and academic environments conducive to degree completion. These outcomes reflect both the academic preparation of admitted students and the institutional resources available to support student success. Lower-income students should consider the 10-point Pell gap when evaluating fit, understanding that while support exists, they may face additional financial or academic challenges. The substantial difference between The College of New Jersey's outcomes and peer medians indicates that students experience meaningfully different educational environments and support structures compared to less selective public institutions. Prospective students can view these persistence and completion metrics as indicators of the academic community and institutional effectiveness they would experience.
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