Mercer Times

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has achieved a notable milestone by having the highest graduation rate in New Jersey for community college transfer students. The institution, which already holds the eighth highest four-year graduation rate nationwide and the top spot among public colleges in New Jersey, now extends this distinction to its transfer student population.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Raise the Bar: Attaining College Excellence and Equity Initiative, TCNJ's 2019 cohort of transfer students saw an 86 percent graduation rate within four years. This figure represents the highest percentage in New Jersey and ties for fifth place nationally.

Brian Switay, assistant director of admissions at TCNJ, emphasized the college's commitment to supporting transfer students. "Attracting transfer students and ensuring their success is an institutional priority across the board — involving not just our office but also many other departments across campus," he stated. "We’re helping the students thrive academically here and graduate on time."

The college has experienced growth in applications from community college transfers, noting a seven-percent increase for the current academic year compared to 2022. TCNJ employs several strategies to support these students, including its Griffins program, which pairs incoming transfers with current students who have also transferred.

Switay explained the importance of this initiative: "We noticed that incoming transfers wanted to be connected to a current TCNJ student who has walked in their shoes and been through the process before." The Griffins offer guidance and support even before new students arrive on campus.

Additionally, TCNJ provides specialized academic advising, orientation days for transfer students, and collaborates with the Office of Student Transitions to create a welcoming environment. Switay highlighted these efforts: "We’re putting the onus on ourselves to help these students figure out what is best for them in terms of courses, housing, and extracurricular activities to ease their transition and set them up for success in and out of the classroom."

Further details about TCNJ's transfer process can be found on their transfers applicant website.