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Montclair State University

Montclair, New Jersey 07043-1624

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Montclair State University is a public institution in Montclair with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1080, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 17.7K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

64% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $61,415 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,159.

Established
1908
Motto
Carpe Diem
Mascot
Rocky the Red Hawk (formerly, the Indians)
Type
Public research university
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

18 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

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87%Acceptance
1080SAT Avg
17,677Students
17:1Student:Faculty
64%Grad Rate
$61,415Earnings 10yr
$14,159Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate87.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1080

Reading & WritingMid: 555
480620
MathMid: 555
460605

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,766
Tuition (out-of-state)$24,126
Room & Board$16,822
Books & Supplies$1,240
Total Cost of Attendance$25,926
Average Net Price$14,159
Median Debt at Graduation$22,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$233

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,482
$30–48K$10,729
$48–75K$15,990
$75–110K$21,259
$110K+$23,607

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

60.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

126

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

29

Burglary

6

Aggravated Assault

4

Robbery

10

Motor Vehicle Theft

14

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

35

Drug Arrests

27

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (174)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

80%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
17,677
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
41%
Pell Grant Recipients
44%

Race & Ethnicity

White 33%
Black 13%
Hispanic 39%
Asian 6%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate64.3%
Freshman Retention79.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,944
10 Years$61,415

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#152
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#57
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Floyd Hall

SoccerCross countryFootballSoccer fieldVolleyball winterBasketballSwimmingIndoor trackBaseballLacrosseOutdoor trackIce hockeyRugbyVolleyballCollege world

History & Fun Facts

  • History Plans for the State Normal school were initiated in 1903, and required a year for the State of New Jersey to grant permission to build the school.
  • It was then established as "New Jersey State Normal School at Montclair", a normal school, in 1908 approximately 5 years after the initial planning of the school.
  • At the time, Governor John Franklin Fort attended the dedication of the school in 1908, and the school was to have its first principal Charles Sumner Chapin that same year.
  • The first building constructed was College Hall (now known as Cole Hall), and it still stands today.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

127Very High

Estimated from NJ state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

New Yorkpop. 8.3M
14 mi(24 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
81 mi(140 min)
Bostonpop. 675K
192 mi(333 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

EWR Newark Liberty12 mi
LGA New York LaGuardia18 mi
JFK New York JFK27 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA192 mi · ~5h 33m drive
New York, NY14 mi · ~24 min drive
Hartford, CT101 mi · ~2h 55m drive
Providence, RI159 mi · ~4h 36m drive
Albany, NY126 mi · ~3h 38m drive
Syracuse, NY181 mi · ~5h 14m drive
Rochester, NY236 mi · ~6h 49m drive
Buffalo, NY278 mi · ~8h 2m drive
Philadelphia, PA81 mi · ~2h 20m drive
Pittsburgh, PA305 mi · ~8h 49m drive
Harrisburg, PA147 mi · ~4h 15m drive
Newark, NJ9 mi · ~16 min drive
Trenton, NJ53 mi · ~1h 32m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Montclair State University Application Checklist

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