Montclair State University
Montclair State University is a public university in Montclair, NJ ranked #214 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B+, enrolling about 17,677 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 87.4%. Students most often pursue Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing and Accounting and Related Services.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 117:1 student-faculty ratio, 79.7% first-year retention, and 64.3% six-year graduation. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Families typically invest $14,159, about $2,839 less than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -1534.7%, roughly 1620.0 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $47,944. That's about $4,256 higher than national results. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Montclair State University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Montclair State University graduates 64.3% of students within six years and keeps 79.7% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Montclair State University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $14,766 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,240 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $16,822 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $2,200 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $25,926 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 44.4% of Montclair State University students receive Pell Grants — above the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $9,482 to $23,607 depending on family income. Use Montclair State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $21,259/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $23,607/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $47,944
- 10-Year Median Earnings $47,944
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $17,500
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 65.4%
- Employment Rate 84.9%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Montclair State University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Montclair State University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Montclair State University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Montclair State University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Montclair State University graduates earn $47,944 median, the -15.3% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 480-620
- SAT Math 460-605
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 17,677
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 79.7%
- Graduation Rate 64.3%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 17:1
How to Get Into Montclair State University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Montclair State University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 87.4%, Montclair State University is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 87.4% acceptance rate, Montclair State University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 940 and 1225 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Montclair State University undergraduates. Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General, and Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Ser draw the most students.
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 17.6%
- Psychology, General 10.5%
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Ser 7.2%
- Biology, General 5.0%
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 5.0%
- Communication and Media Studies 4.0%
See more majors
- Design and Applied Arts 3.7%
- English Language and Literature, General 3.6%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $104,219
- 2. Accounting and Related Services $89,450
- 3. Computer and Information Sciences, General $89,204
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Business Administration, Management and Operations $71,037
- 5. Radio, Television, and Digital Communication $65,566
- 6. Communication and Media Studies $64,298
- 7. Biology, General $63,209
- 8. Mathematics $60,997
- 9. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other $60,449
- 10. Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services $60,325
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $126,613
- 2. Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degree) $110,692
- 3. Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degree) $88,929
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degree) $84,539
- 5. Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificate) $79,135
- 6. Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Graduate/Professional Certificate) $78,053
- 7. Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degree) $76,744
- 8. Social Work (Master's Degree) $68,177
- 9. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Graduate/Professional Certificate) $67,891
- 10. Education, General (Master's Degree) $64,132
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing grads earn $104,219—73% more than Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services ($60,325). Graduate: Business Administration, Management and Operations programs lead with $126,613 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Montclair State University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degree, 660 graduates)
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degree, 272 graduates)
- Education, General (Master's Degree, 201 graduates)
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degree, 189 graduates)
- Biology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 187 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (55 programs)â–¼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Biology, General
- Communication and Media Studies
- Design and Applied Arts
- English Language and Literature, General
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Accounting and Related Services
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Music
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Public Health
- Political Science and Government
- Economics
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Fine and Studio Arts
- History
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Mathematics
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Dance
- Sustainability Studies
- Legal Professions and Studies, Other
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Chemistry
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Journalism
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Geography and Cartography
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- Computational Science
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Nutrition Sciences
- Hospitality Administration/Management
- Applied Mathematics
Online Master's Degrees (34 programs)â–¼
- Education, General
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Accounting and Related Services
- Special Education and Teaching
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
- Music
- Public Health
- Communication and Media Studies
- Biology, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Mathematics
- Legal Professions and Studies, Other
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Statistics
- Chemistry
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Applied Mathematics
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Social Sciences, General
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
- History
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Nutrition Sciences
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
Online Doctoral Degrees (7 programs)â–¼
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Education, General
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (18 programs)â–¼
- Music
- Legal Support Services
- Social Sciences, General
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Accounting and Related Services
- Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Legal Professions and Studies, Other
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
- English Language and Literature, General
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Nutrition Sciences
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (4 programs)â–¼
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Social Work
- Business/Commerce, General
Online First Professional Degrees (1 program)â–¼
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 17,677
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 40.6%
- Female Students 59.4%
- Caucasian 33.3%
- Asian 6.3%
- Hispanic 38.6%
- Black 13.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients 44.4%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Montclair State University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Montclair State University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Montclair State University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Montclair State University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Montclair State University has a diverse student body, with 33.3% identifying as White.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Montclair State University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Montclair State University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Montclair State University serves as an affordable institution for students seeking quality education without elite university costs. Ranked #214 nationally with ROI data not available, the institution balances practical outcomes with budget-friendly pricing.
At $14,159 annually, students gain access to career-focused programs leading to $47,944 median earnings. The 64.3% six-year graduation rate reflects reasonable completion metrics for a institution. While 79.7% retention suggests adequate student support.
Institution Value: Montclair State University's Strengths
Ranked #214 with a B+ grade, Montclair State University prioritizes accessibility and local career connections over national prestige.
Primary Strengths: Institutions like Montclair State University excel at providing affordable education ($14,159 annually) with strong local employer relationships. Many programs emphasize practical skills and internships within the regional economy.
Best For: Students planning to work in the region after graduation benefit from established employer connections. Adult learners and part-time students appreciate flexible scheduling. First-generation students and budget-conscious families gain degrees without overwhelming debt.
Honest Assessment: Montclair State University's 79.7% retention and 64.3% six-year graduation rate trail elite universities but align with typical institution performance. Career outcomes ($47,944 median earnings) reflect regional job markets more than national opportunities.
Value Verdict: For students committed to regional careers, Montclair State University and $14,159 cost deliver solid value. Those seeking national job mobility or prestigious credentials should compare against flagship state universities or targeted private scholarships.
Key Takeaways
- 64.3% six-year graduation rate sits 1.8 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 79.7% first-year retention is 2.9 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -15.3% return on investment is 100.6 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $47,944 run about 10% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $14,159 is roughly $5,715 lower than the national median of $19,874.
Helpfulness for Students
- 17:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 79.7% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 84.9% employment rate within three years sits 16.7 points above national outcomes.
- Budget carefully for clinical travel, off-campus housing, and practicum fees to avoid surprise costs.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University operates as a public university and receives a B+ from EDsmart. It appears at #214 in EDsmart's national list Grades by category break down as Completion B-, Support B+, Career Outcomes B, and Affordability C+.
Student momentum is strong: 79.7% retention and 64.3% six-year graduation. EDsmart calculates the ROI at -15.3%, offering a quick value checkpoint.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $14,159 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $25,926.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $11,767 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $17,500 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 44.4% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $47,944 six years after enrollment. This is roughly 10% above typical U.S. college outcomes.
The three-year employment rate is close to 84.9%.
The ROI comes in near -15.3%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
87.4% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Montclair State University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Montclair, NJ 07043-1624
- Website www.montclair.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
- Endowment$53.8M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate21.6%