TCNJ or Rowan?

Colleges and Universities A-Z The College of New Jersey
1

I am now deciding between these two schools, which is very tough! I was accepted into both of these schools as well as TCNJ’s honors program. I had very little contact with Rowan Admissions during the application process so I just found out that I missed their honors program deadline, but can apply in the fall to join it in the spring.

I have no specific major in mind, so I applied undecided for Rowan and got into TCNJ’s Open Option program for their school of Arts and Communication, which is an area that I think I have an interest in. I visited for an open house a few weeks ago and was very intrigued by their Interactive Multimedia major. I also have a slight interest in education so that I can go on to be a teacher or a coach.

I love TCNJ’s campus and would like to know more about living in Centennial Hall in the honors program. I’m not crazy about Rowan’s campus because of how they are under construction still, but the new buildings and dorms are really nice and the air conditioning is definitely a pull factor.

I would like to participate in club field hockey and/or lacrosse at the college I attend, and I know both these schools have that opportunity. Is one school more competitive than the other?

Due to instate tuition and merit scholarships, Rowan will cost less than $10,000 while TCNJ will cost about $18,000. Although money is definitely an issue for my family, I am willing to work while I am at school to help cover the costs.

As of right now I am seriously leaning toward TCNJ, but my dad seems to really want me to go to Rowan for financial reasons. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!

2

@collegecrazy0311

How are you going to pay? You can only personally take out $5500 total your first year, then 6500 your second and 7500 for 3 more years. That’s it. Where is the rest of the money coming from?

Please make sure you talk to your parents very specifically about the amounts you are asking them to borrow. It has to be them, you aren’t going to be able to borrow the full amount you need. This means they are signing, even if you guys have an agreement to repay them, THEIR name and THEIR credit rating is on the line.

I’m not trying to be a wet blanket here, I just want you to be fully grounded in reality and have a plan!

I responded over on Rowan’s board to your same question :slight_smile:

3

By way of background, my son goes to TCNJ. He is a freshman, lives in Centennial, and has had a phenomenal year. It’s a great school.

BUT … your finances are tight and you’re facing a 32k difference over 4 years. If you’re going into Arts and Communications, you probably are going to need the flexibility when you graduate to take a potentially lower paying job to achieve your career goals. How much debt do you want to take on?

My left brain is saying, take the less expensive option if the difference will mean student loans.