Organizer Information
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is a public higher education institution located in Ewing, New Jersey, United States. Its academic structure includes seven undergraduate schools and graduate and professional education offerings. The School of the Arts and Communication includes the Department of Art and Art Education, the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Film, the Department of Design and Creative Technology, and the Department of Music. Relevant undergraduate study options include fine arts, photography and video, graphic design, animation, interactive multimedia, art education, and film and television.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, BM, BS, and graduate degrees in other academic fields
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art Education, Photography, Video, Graphic Design, Animation, Film and Television, Interactive Multimedia, Communication, Music, Art History and Visual Culture
- Relevant Programs: Visual Arts (Fine Art, Photography/Video, Graphic Design); Art Education; Film and Television; Animation; Interactive Multimedia; Journalism and Professional Writing; Communication Studies; Art History and Visual Culture
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: First-year applications open 1 August; cycle-specific deadlines apply
- Application Deadline: Fall 2027 regular admission — 1 February 2027
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring entry options for eligible programs
- Application Fee: US$65
- Tuition: Undergraduate out-of-state tuition — US$11,469 per semester for 3–5 course units
- Funding: Merit scholarships available to eligible first-year applicants, including international students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- TCNJ offers interdisciplinary undergraduate options for students interested in studio practice, visual communication, moving images, and media production. The Visual Arts BFA includes Fine Art, Photography/Video, and Graphic Design specializations. Other relevant programs include Art Education, Film and Television, Animation, and Interactive Multimedia.
- Students may also explore combinations of art, photography, film, communication, and digital media through available majors, minors, and elective coursework. Admission to a program does not automatically establish eligibility for every specialization; applicants should check the requirements for their intended major.
General Eligibility
- TCNJ accepts domestic and international applicants for eligible undergraduate programs. First-year applicants are assessed holistically, with consideration given to academic records, course rigor, essays, recommendations, and extracurricular involvement. The institution does not publish a universal minimum academic score for first-year admission.
- Transfer applicants are evaluated using their previous academic records and other application materials. Additional departmental review applies to certain arts programs.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must submit official secondary-school transcripts. International academic records may require evaluation by a US credential-evaluation agency accepted by TCNJ. International transfer applicants must provide relevant university transcripts and may also need secondary-school records, depending on their academic history and transfer credits.
- TCNJ does not state a universal prior degree requirement for first-year applicants beyond the applicable secondary-school admission requirements.
Language Requirements
TCNJ requires TOEFL or IELTS results from international applicants whose first language is not English or whose secondary-school or university instruction was not in English, according to its international admissions guidance. The university recommends a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90 or an IELTS score of 7.0. These figures are published recommendations; applicants should verify the current requirements applicable to their admission cycle.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | US$65 |
| International first-year applicants | US$65 |
| Eligible applicants receiving an approved waiver | Waived |
Tuition
| Study level/applicant type | Tuition | Mandatory fees | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, out-of-state, 3–5 units | US$11,469 | US$2,301 | Per semester |
| Undergraduate, out-of-state, 3–5 units, including listed wellness and card-service charges | US$11,469 | US$2,301 | US$13,770 total per semester |
- The standard full-time undergraduate schedule includes general service/capital, student activity, student center, wellness, and card-service charges. Full-time undergraduate students are initially charged US$3,170 annually for student health insurance; eligible students may waive the charge by providing acceptable evidence of existing coverage. Additional housing, meal-plan, course-specific, and personal expenses may apply. Rates are subject to change.
Funding & Financial Support
- TCNJ offers merit-based scholarships to eligible first-year students applying for Fall 2027. Applicants submitting a Fall 2027 Common Application by 1 January 2027 are automatically considered for merit scholarships; a separate merit-scholarship application is not required. Award decisions depend on the university's selection criteria, and funding is not guaranteed.
- International first-year applicants admitted for fall entry may be considered for merit scholarships. International students on F-1, J-1, or J-2 visas are not eligible for federal financial assistance or TCNJ need-based financial aid under the institution's published eligibility guidance.
University Services & Academic Support
- The Department of Art and Art Education offers academic advising and portfolio-preparation counselling for students considering graduate study. The Visual Arts curriculum includes studio practice, art history, and opportunities for interdisciplinary coursework.
- The Film and Television program describes practical production coursework, faculty mentorship, and access to a campus theater for student work. The institution also offers library services and international-student support resources. Access to individual facilities and opportunities depends on the relevant program and university policies.
Application Requirements
First-year applicants
- Completed Common Application.
- Official high-school transcripts.
- Common Application essay and TCNJ-specific secondary writing prompt.
- Two to three recommendation letters are strongly encouraged; one should be from a teacher.
- English proficiency test results where required.
- US credential evaluation for applicable international academic records.
- SAT or ACT scores are optional for most first-year applicants under the published test-optional policy; exceptions apply to designated programs.
- An activity résumé is optional but encouraged.
Arts-specific requirements
- Fine Arts and Photography/Video: Portfolio submission is strongly encouraged for first-year applicants.
- Graphic Design: Portfolio submission is strongly encouraged but is not generally mandatory for first-year admission.
- Art Education: Portfolio submission is strongly encouraged.
- Music programs: An audition is required.
Transfer applicants to Fine Arts and Graphic Design must submit a portfolio; Music applicants must audition.
International applicants should consult the international application checklist for additional transcript-evaluation and documentation requirements.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Merit Scholarship Priority Deadline (Fall 2027): 1 January 2027
- Regular First-Year Application Deadline (Fall 2027): 1 February 2027
- Regular First-Year Supporting Documents Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Spring First-Year Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Spring First-Year Supporting Documents Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Transfer Application Deadline (Fall): 1 March 2027
- Transfer Supporting Documents Deadline (Fall): 15 March 2027
- Transfer Application Deadline (Spring): 1 November 2026
- Transfer Supporting Documents Deadline (Spring): 15 November 2026
For first-year applicants, the published regular-decision schedule lists admission notifications by 1 April for fall entry. Applicants should confirm the current cycle's dates and any program-specific deadlines directly with TCNJ.
Location
The College of New Jersey — Ewing, New Jersey, United States.
Additional Details
TCNJ's Film and Television major is listed as pending final approval from the New Jersey Department of Education on its program page. Applicants interested in this major should verify its current approval and availability before applying.
The institution's published admissions information includes different deadlines and additional requirements for certain specialized programs. Portfolio submission dates, audition dates, and eligibility conditions should therefore be checked against the intended program and applicant category rather than assumed to be uniform across the university.