Montclair State combines open access admission with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university produces $6,731 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining manageable debt levels, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates from diverse backgrounds.
With above-average tier performance, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above-average tier performance, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert access into earnings growth
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert access into earnings growth
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMontclair State University delivers strong earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds and program accessibility. Graduates earn a median of $61,415 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 74th percentile nationally with earnings growth of 28.1% from the six-year mark.
The institution generates $6,731 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 78.8th percentile nationally on this measure. Low-income graduates earn $49,000, demonstrating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking affordable access to higher education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly first-generation and lower-income students. Well-suited for those prioritizing practical programs in business, communications, and technology with manageable debt levels and demonstrated earnings growth beyond expectations.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Montclair State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/montclair-state-university/analysis.
Exceptional mobility performance nationwide
Montclair State University ranks #57 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with exceptional mobility performance at the 97.7th percentile. Located in Montclair, New Jersey, this large public university maintains open access with an 87.4% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes that exceed expectations.
Montclair State enrolls 44.4% Pell-eligible students and 41.2% first-generation students, placing it well above typical institutions on access measures. Graduates earn $6,731 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 78.8th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $61,415 ten years after enrollment, placing Montclair State at the 74th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $872 more annually.
This combination of open admission, above-average access, and strong economic outcomes places Montclair State firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions convert educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement.
Montclair State admits approximately 87.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 8 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Montclair State in the Open Access category, providing broad educational opportunity to qualified students.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Montclair State is somewhat more accessible than typical institutions with similar characteristics, accepting nearly 10 percentage points more applicants than peer institutions. This level of accessibility means that students with solid academic preparation have strong prospects for admission.
The university's open access mission supports its role as a Mobility Engine institution, providing educational opportunity to students who might face barriers at more selective institutions. Students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness through coursework completion and standardized test performance rather than viewing admission as highly competitive.
For students building college lists, Montclair State represents a strong foundation option that combines accessibility with demonstrated post-graduation outcomes. The university's admission approach reflects its commitment to serving first-generation and Pell-eligible students, who comprise significant portions of each incoming class.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Montclair State's published cost of attendance is $25,926 per year, including $14,766 in-state tuition, $16,822 for room and board, and $1,240 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students pay $24,126 in tuition.
However, the average student pays just $14,159 after financial aid, representing $11,767 in average aid savings from the sticker price. This net price of $14,159 compares favorably to similar institutions, sitting $1,431 above the peer median of $15,590.
The university's financial aid approach creates a progressive pricing structure where lower-income students pay significantly less than higher-income families. Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $9,482 for families earning under $30,000 to $23,607 for those earning over $110,000.
This $14,125 difference between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates substantial need-based aid targeting. The university's approach to affordability supports its role as a Mobility Engine institution, ensuring that cost does not prevent access for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Financial aid effectiveness contributes to the institution's strong economic mobility outcomes.
Montclair State graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time across a substantial alumni base. Median earnings rise from $47,944 six years after enrollment to $56,215 at eight years and $61,415 at ten years, representing 28.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 4,451 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $6,731 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Montclair State at the 78.8th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $49,000, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $38,809 at the 25th percentile to $84,277 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 26.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. Compared to peer institutions with similar student demographics, Montclair State graduates earn $872 more annually.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Institute Of Technology-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#54 ranked) | GA | 16% | $102,772 | #54 | Compare |
Cuny Queens College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#56 ranked) | NY | 69% | $62,763 | #56 | Compare |
Rutgers University-Newark Similar quality tier in Northeast (#57 ranked) | NJ | 79% | $74,479 | #57 | Compare |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Similar quality tier (#58 ranked) | CA | 30% | $90,768 | #58 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At El Paso Similar quality tier (#53 ranked) | TX | 100% | $50,923 | #53 | Compare |
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
14 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
120 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
130 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
660 graduates
Communication and Media Studies, Other.
150 graduates
Montclair State offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Accounting Technology ranks #28 nationally and #2 in New Jersey, producing 120 graduates with median earnings of $77,806 and a value score of 90.2.
Artificial Intelligence ranks #47 nationally and #5 in New Jersey, graduating 130 students with median earnings of $77,141. Digital Communication and Media ranks #5 nationally and #1 in New Jersey, graduating 82 students with median earnings of $56,719.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies ranks #9 nationally and #1 in New Jersey, with 189 graduates earning $55,472. Communication and Media Studies ranks #12 nationally and #2 in New Jersey, graduating 150 students with median earnings of $57,399.
Business Administration represents the university's largest program, graduating 660 students annually with median earnings of $60,126, reflecting strong student demand and solid career outcomes.
