


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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18% of admitted students enrolled (4,192 of 23,076)
Regular application deadline
March 1Application fee
$65Early Decision
NoEarly Action
Yes, deadline December 1Median composite SAT score
1110Percent of students submitting SAT scores
10%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
RequiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Considered but not requiredAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
YesApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, SpringData 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.