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Montclair State University
Montclair State University admits nearly everyone — 87.9% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Montclair State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Montclair State University occupies suburban Montclair, NJ — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $109,167 four years out. Faculty pay averages $150,480 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 18,376 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 77.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 940 and 1225 — below the NJ middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Montclair State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to Montclair State University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 940 and 1225; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 480 | 550 | 620 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 530 | 605 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Montclair State University received 23,599 applications and admitted 20,629 (87.4%), with 4,039 enrolling.
How Montclair State University compares
| Montclair State University | New Jersey median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 87.9% | 78.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $15,912 | $17,014 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $61,415 | $58,902 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Montclair State University student earns $61,415 — 4% above the New Jersey median of $58,902 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Montclair State University prices by residency: $15,912 in-state versus $26,022 out-of-state — a $10,110 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
18,376 undergraduates make Montclair State University a large campus: broad course catalogs and big intro lectures come as a package.
64.7% graduate within six years. Roughly 35% don't — ask a Montclair State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Montclair State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $109,167 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $84,906 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $81,519 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,692 |
| Chemistry | $74,401 |
| Mathematics | $68,371 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $68,235 |
| Biology, General | $67,541 |
| Economics | $66,148 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $65,826 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $65,007 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $62,999 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $61,036 |
| Political Science and Government | $60,984 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $59,866 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,247 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $58,308 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $58,236 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $56,176 |
| Public Health | $55,681 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $55,208 |
| Journalism | $53,579 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $53,575 |
| Geography and Cartography | $53,285 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $52,511 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,435 |
| History | $52,160 |
| Sociology | $52,053 |
| Social Work | $51,646 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $51,469 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $50,790 |
| Music | $50,418 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $49,429 |
| Psychology, General | $48,464 |
| Anthropology | $47,225 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,337 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,564 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $42,017 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $41,156 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $39,248 |
| Dance | $39,064 |
Median earnings for these 41 Montclair State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $61,415 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 27 additional Montclair State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Montclair State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 940–1225 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 87.9% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Montclair State University's acceptance rate?
87.4% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 20,629 admitted from 23,599 applicants.
How much does Montclair State University cost?
In-state tuition is $15,912; out-of-state students pay $26,022. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Montclair State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $61,415 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in New Jersey
- Monmouth University — 89% admitted
- New Jersey City University — 98.4% admitted
- Rabbinical College of America — 95.2% admitted
- Saint Peter's University — 90.3% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.