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Montclair State University

#328 in US ranking Montclair, NJ
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Montclair State University award
Montclair State University award

Cost

Cost / year
$29,060
Tuition & fees
$16,854
Avg. aid
$12,283
Receiving aid
92%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
910–1210

Outcomes

Graduation rate
65%
Median salary
$42,014
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Montclair State University?

Montclair State University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, or MSCHE. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it does not mean that every individual degree has a separate professional accreditation.

The Feliciano School of Business also holds accreditation from AACSB International. Specialized recognition matters most when a field requires it for certification, licensure, or an employer's eligibility rules. Applicants to fields such as teaching, nursing, and other licensed professions should verify the status of their specific program and the requirements of the state where they expect to practice.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility, but a student must meet separate aid rules. It can also matter when applying to graduate school or seeking transfer credit; another institution still decides whether and how particular courses will count.

What are the admission requirements at Montclair State University?

First-year applicants generally apply through the university's undergraduate admissions process and submit a secondary-school record showing completion of high school or an accepted equivalent. Montclair State is not an open-admission institution: it reviews applicants' academic preparation and other application materials.

Reported admissions criteria include the high school transcript and GPA, completion of a college-preparatory program, and a recommendation. Class rank may be considered when available. Applicants should follow the current application's instructions for any essay or personal statement rather than assuming every applicant category submits identical materials. Auditions, portfolios, or other requirements may apply to particular majors.

SAT and ACT scores are not universally required for admission; applicants should check whether a particular program, scholarship, or applicant circumstance calls for scores. In the reported entering class, about 10% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores, so the median SAT score of 1110 describes a limited group, not the entire class.

Admissions figures show approximately 26,257 first-year applicants and 23,076 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of about 88%. That rate describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's likelihood of admission. International applicants may also need to document English-language proficiency, such as through TOEFL or another accepted method. Deadlines and document requirements should be checked for the intended entry term.

What are the application fees and waivers at Montclair State University?

The reported standard undergraduate application fee is $65. An application fee pays for application processing; it is separate from any later enrollment deposit, tuition, or housing charge.

Eligible applicants may be able to request a fee waiver through an accepted application platform, a school counselor, or the university's admissions process. Because waiver methods and eligibility can vary by application route and applicant category, applicants who need a waiver should establish how to request it before submitting payment. Transfer, graduate, and specialized-program applicants should confirm the fee displayed in their own application rather than assuming the undergraduate amount applies to them.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Montclair State University?

Montclair State students can pursue Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC through arrangements with cooperating host institutions rather than assuming that Montclair State operates a full unit for either branch on its campus. Participation may require travel to another campus for military-science classes, training, or both.

ROTC participation and an ROTC scholarship are different: students may need to meet separate academic, physical, citizenship, and medical conditions for a scholarship or commissioning path. A scholarship or later commission can also carry a military service obligation. Interested students should confirm the current host unit, cross-enrollment procedure, transportation demands, and applicable service terms with the relevant ROTC program before planning a class schedule.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Montclair State University?

Montclair State admits transfer applicants and generally considers credits earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer admission and transfer-credit acceptance are separate decisions: being admitted does not mean that every previous course will fulfill a degree requirement.

Transfer applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from all colleges attended and satisfy the university's current academic-standing and GPA rules. High school records may be requested in some circumstances. Requirements can also differ for selective majors or students with relatively little college coursework. Fall and spring entry are available under the reported transfer policy, but applicants should verify the deadline for their program and term.

New Jersey community-college students may have a more clearly mapped route through statewide transfer arrangements and published course equivalencies. Montclair State also reports accepting qualifying CLEP credit and some credit recommended by the American Council on Education; limits and course matches still apply. Before enrolling, transfer students should seek an official evaluation showing which credits transfer, how they apply to the intended major, and which courses must be completed at Montclair State.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Montclair State University?

Montclair State offers study-abroad opportunities that can include semester-length study and shorter, faculty-led experiences. Program choices, destinations, and participation rules can change, so the university's current international-program listings are the starting point for planning.

Students should distinguish a university-led course from an exchange or approved outside program: tuition arrangements, housing, calendars, and transcript procedures may differ. Academic approval before departure is especially important if a course must satisfy a major, certification, or graduation requirement. Financial aid may be usable for an eligible program, but eligibility and additional costs require an individual review.

Montclair State University Admissions Factors

SAT range
910–1210
4001600
Acceptance rate
88%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
88%
New Jersey
78%
US
78%

18% of admitted students enrolled (4,192 of 23,076)

Montclair State University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 26,257
Admission
Total: 23,076
Enrolled
Total: 4,192
Women
Men

How to Apply to Montclair State University

Regular application deadline

March 1

Application fee

$65

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline December 1

Montclair State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 3,969
Out-of-state: 174
International: 39

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 4,192
Transfer: 1,478

Montclair State University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1110

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

10%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

Yes

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Montclair State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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