Montclair State University
#3 Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey- Graduation Rate
- 64% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,415 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,566 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 27.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey.
Every $1 spent returns $27.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,636,244.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 51% more than the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 3.17% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $27.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Montclair State University Matters
Montclair State University is a public research university in Montclair, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 18,376
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts, Communications
Why students choose Montclair State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 910–1210. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,566 a year after grants and scholarships — 9% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,415 ten years after enrolling — 51% above the typical college, against $22,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 9% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 18,400 students and an acceptance rate of 88%, Montclair State University is a great choice for those looking for a welcoming environment where they can pursue a variety of interests. Students here often dive into programs like Business and Marketing, Psychology, and the Visual and Performing Arts. This diverse academic landscape allows individuals to explore their passions while receiving a quality education.
After graduation, alumni tend to earn around $61,415 within ten years, which indicates a solid return on investment for most students. The affordability of Montclair State is also a highlight, with a net price of $15,566 after financial aid. Nearly half of the student body receives Pell Grants, making the school accessible for those who need it most. While the graduation rate stands at 64%, many students see their earnings increase steadily, suggesting that those who persist often find their footing in the job market.
When it comes to the financial aspects, students typically graduate with a median debt of $22,000, which is manageable for many considering their post-graduation earnings. Montclair State attracts a diverse student population, including those who thrive in collaborative environments and are eager to engage with their communities. For students ready to immerse themselves in a vibrant campus life while preparing for a successful career, this university offers a supportive setting to grow and succeed.
Rankings
- #3 Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey
- #4 Best Education Colleges in New Jersey
- #7 Best Online Colleges in New Jersey
- #7 Best Psychology Colleges in New Jersey
- #7 Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- #8 Best Colleges in New Jersey
- #8 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Jersey
- #8 Best Master's Programs in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective Montclair State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Montclair State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Montclair, New Jersey, Montclair State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,070. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1070
- SAT Range
- 910–1210
- Full-Time Faculty
- 34%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,540
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 21,393
- Admitted
- 19,535
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Montclair State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 15% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 15%
- of admits enroll
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Montclair State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montclair State University is $26,022, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,566. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,880 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,912
- Out-of-State
- $26,022
- Avg Net Price
- $15,566
- Median Debt
- $22,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 47%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,880
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,532
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,388
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,573
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Montclair State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Montclair State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montclair State University earn a median of $61,415, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,944
- 8 Years
- $56,215
- 10 Years
- $61,415
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,309)
- 45%
- 100% (1,309)
- 45%
- 100% (1,309)
- 45%
- 100% (1,309)
- 45%
How Montclair Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Montclair State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Montclair State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,566/year ($62,264 total). Graduates earn $61,415 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,698,508 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,636,244 (27.3× your investment). The median debt is $22,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 64% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $62,264
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,698,508
- Net Return
- $1,636,244
- ROI Multiple
- 27.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,566
- Median Debt
- $22,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Montclair State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Montclair State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.17%, among the highest in the country. About 9.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.17%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 33.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $117,659
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $802,000
Top Programs
The fields Montclair State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $55,689 early-career
- Psychology 12% $33,309 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 12% $35,917 early-career
- Communications 8% $41,658 early-career
- Education 5% $43,954 early-career
- Health Professions 5% $32,603 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $33,550 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $61,913 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Montclair State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Montclair State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Montclair, New Jersey, Montclair State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,070. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Montclair State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montclair State University is $26,022, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,566. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,880 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,000 in federal student loans.
Is Montclair State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montclair State University earn a median of $61,415, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Montclair State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Montclair State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.17%, among the highest in the country. About 9.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Montclair State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montclair State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Montclair State University offer Early Decision?
No. Montclair State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Montclair State University?
About 15% of admitted students choose to enroll at Montclair State University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Montclair State University.
- University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · Close peer63% grad $57,624 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-ChicoChico, CA · Close peer63% grad $64,172 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · Close peer65% grad $62,117 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Towson UniversityTowson, MD · Close peer69% grad $64,390 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · Close peer62% grad $60,614 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Montclair State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montclair State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note