Montclair, NJ · Private University
Is Montclair State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$61,415
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,766
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,126
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$96,504
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
64.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,159
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Montclair State University graduates earn $16,415 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Montclair State University ranked by graduate earnings
20 graduates
109 graduates
198 graduates
940 graduates
177 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Montclair State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Montclair State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $104,219) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $20,693) is $83,526/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI(1yr data) | $104,219 | 4.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $77,806 | 3.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $77,141 | 3.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,126 | 2.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,399 | 2.4x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $56,719 | 2.4x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $55,472 | 2.3x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $55,389 | 2.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $54,399 | 2.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,620 | 2.2x |
| Mathematics | $53,441 | 2.2x |
| History | $49,923 | 2.1x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $48,969 | 2.0x |
| Public Health | $48,201 | 2.0x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $47,846 | 2.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $47,487 | 2.0x |
| Psychology, General | $46,064 | 1.9x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $43,985 | 1.8x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,121 | 1.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,783 | 1.8x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $42,638 | 1.8x |
| Biology, General | $42,414 | 1.8x |
| Sociology | $42,166 | 1.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $41,684 | 1.7x |
| Sustainability Studies(1yr data) | $41,445 | 1.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $41,068 | 1.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,608 | 1.7x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $40,565 | 1.7x |
| Music | $39,961 | 1.7x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $39,740 | 1.6x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $39,375 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $37,074 | 1.5x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions(1yr data) | $36,299 | 1.5x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,585 | 1.4x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $34,109 | 1.4x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $31,018 | 1.3x |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other(1yr data) | $27,613 | 1.1x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $25,575 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $20,693 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Montclair State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $61,415 10 years after starting, $16,415 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.7 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.