Acceptance Rate
88%
Avg. SAT
1210
75th percentile
“Sprawling public university in artsy Montclair blending teacher training roots with theater, business, and NYC access.”
Montclair, NJ
Location
Large Suburb
Campus Setting
Montclair State University traces its roots to 1908, when it opened as a normal school to train teachers for New Jersey classrooms. Over the decades, it evolved into a large public institution with around 18,000 undergraduates, expanding beyond education into fields like business, health, and performing arts. Nestled in Montclair, a walkable suburb 12 miles west of Manhattan, the campus offers a wooded, hilly setting amid upscale homes and indie shops. Students who thrive here often seek hands-on career preparation in a diverse, no-frills environment and don't mind a commuter-heavy atmosphere.
Photo Gallery
+15
+7
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Classrooms buzz with future teachers practicing lesson plans, theater students rehearsing in state-of-the-art spaces, and business majors analyzing real-world cases. The university shines in education, family science, and the Cali School of Music, where undergrads perform alongside professionals. You'll encounter large lectures in introductory courses, especially with the big student body, but upper-level classes shrink for more discussion. Research opportunities exist through faculty projects in sustainability and health sciences, though they favor motivated juniors and seniors. Access to popular programs like nursing can get competitive after admission.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
18,712 undergrad • 4,663 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
34%
Black / African American
12%
Hispanic / Latino
35%
Asian
6%
Other / Multi-racial
12%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Montclair, NJ
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week mixes lectures, club meetings, and train rides to NYC for internships or Broadway shows. About 40 percent of undergrads live on campus in residence halls and suite-style apartments, fostering late-night study sessions and floor events, while commuters head home via bus or rail. Traditions include fall arts festivals and Red Hawk football tailgates on Sprague Field. The social scene revolves around student union events, Greek life, and nearby Montclair bars, but the suburban spread means you might drive or bus between spots. New Jersey's high cost of living hits housing budgets hard, and winter slush turns paths slippery.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
New Jersey Athletic Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
78%
4 Years Graduation Rate
59%
6 Years Graduation Rate
71%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$61,415
78% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Montclair State University and return in the fall. 59% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 71% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
59%
4-5 years
12%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
27%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$12,755
Acceptance
88%
Undergrads
18,712
4-Year Grad Rate
59%
Endowment
$55M
Montclair, NJ 07043-1624
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