Montclair State University
Montclair State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Montclair State University at a Glance
Montclair State University (Montclair) is a public research university in Montclair, New Jersey, United States. Parts of the campus extend into Clifton and into Little Falls. As of June 2024, there were 22,570 total enrolled students: 18,062 undergraduate students and 4,508 graduate students. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The campus covers approximately 252 acres (1.02 km2). The university offers more than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations.
1908
118 years old
$158M
$157.85 million (2025)
22,570
18,062 undergrad · 4,508 grad
252 acres
300
Identity
How to Apply to Montclair State University
Official admissions pageDecember 1 (Early Action)
Is Montclair State University Worth It?
Montclair State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $15,566/year, it's priced 24% below average, while graduates go on to earn $61,415 — 14% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Montclair State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #22 of 74 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #22 | Montclair State University | 64 | $15,566 | $61,415 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Montclair State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NJ.
Best Programs at Montclair State University
The highest-earning program at Montclair State University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $49,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $18,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Montclair State University earns $49,200, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $18,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $26,597 in median debt vs. $21,500 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,566/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $49,200 | $49,200 | $26,597 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,000 | $46,000 | $22,687 |
| Mathematics | $41,000 | $41,000 | $25,721 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,900 | $40,900 | $21,625 |
| Public Health | $36,900 | $36,900 | $25,000 |
| History | $36,300 | $36,300 | $23,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $35,400 | $35,400 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,300 | $35,300 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,300 | $33,300 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $32,700 | $32,700 | $26,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,400 | $32,400 | $22,962 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $30,600 | $30,600 | $24,493 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $30,600 | $30,600 | $24,473 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,400 | $30,400 | $25,000 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $30,300 | $30,300 | $23,750 |
| Sociology | $29,400 | $29,400 | $22,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,500 | $28,500 | $22,312 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $22,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $22,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,700 | $25,700 | $24,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $23,300 | $23,300 | $21,494 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $22,600 | $22,600 | $26,782 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,000 | $21,000 | $25,868 |
| Music | $21,000 | $21,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $20,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,900 | $18,900 | $21,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Montclair, NJ
- Student Body
- 18,376 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,566
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,415
- Median Student Debt
- $22,000