Montclair State University is a highly respected public university located in Montclair, New Jersey in the New York metropolitan area. It is a large school with a student population of 21,000. Admissions is moderately selective because Montclair State's acceptance rate is around 87%. Majors are available in Business, Psychology, Education, Communications, and Social Sciences. Six-year graduation rate is 67%, and Montclair State graduates have a median starting salary of around INR 44,50,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from the $53,900 median earnings).
New Brunswick, New Jersey-based Rutgers University is a highly ranked public institution. It is an extremely large college with an enrollment of 50,000 students. Admissions is selective because Rutgers University's acceptance rate is approximately 65%. Popular majors include Business, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Psychology, and Computer Science. The six-year graduation rate is 84%, and Rutgers graduates continue to command a median starting salary of around INR 58,00,000 (converted from $70,300 median earnings ten years after graduation).
| Montclair State University | Rutgers University - New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.3 Out of 10 | 5.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1578 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 163 US News 2024 # 1478 US News 2024 | # 301 Times Higher Education 2026 # 328 QS World University 2026 # 301 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -130 PG Programs -49 | UG Programs -146 PG Programs -99 Doctorate Programs -10 |
| Acceptance Rate | 87.0 % | 65.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 SAT-990 TOEFL-83 | IELTS-6 SAT-1190 TOEFL-85 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 20758 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 18920 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 28910 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 14506 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 15072 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 33851 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the program and average salary are as follows: MBA: $91,000 Bachelor of Science: $85,000 Bachelor of Arts: $66,000 | Average annual salary is 72,000 USD. Popular recruiters are Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin Corp, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Highest paying degrees include MBA (145,000 USD); Masters (120,000 USD); Bachelor of Science (101,000 USD); Master of Science (100,000 USD). |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit personal statement Submit entrance exam scores Submit recommendation letter Submit English language proficiency Check program specific requirements | Academic transcripts; LORs; Essays; Test Scores; English proficiency scores; Resume.GPA requirements are around 3.73 for students (Grade- A-B+). |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.3/10 Read 2 reviews | 8.5/10 Read 6 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160GMAT - 500/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 48/90TOEFL - 83/120 | Duolingo - 125/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 68/75TOEFL - 90/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) | May 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For ROUND 4 2025 intake) Nov 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For ROUND 1 2026 intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For ROUND 2 2026 intake) Mar 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For ROUND 3 2026 intake) May 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For ROUND 4 2026 intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Montclair State University | Rutgers University - New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1908 | 1766 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 13:1 |
| Male:Female | 39% Male, 61% Female | 50% Male, 50% Female |
| Location Facts | Montclair State University (MSU) is a public research university in Montclair, New Jersey, with parts of the campus extending into Little Falls. | Oldest of the 3 RU campuses spread across 6 municipalities in Middlesex County; located in New Brunswick and Piscataway; Consists of 2,685 acres of 5 campuses- Busch, Cook, College Avenue, Livingston, Douglass. Located on both sides of Raritan River; offers convenient access to New York City and Philadelphia |
| Library | Harry A. Sprauge library provides access to important resources like databases, e-books, journals, publications, research papers etc. | Rutgers University Libraries (RUL) system has 26 libraries, centers and reading rooms housing 5,579,900 total print and electronic volumes. 2,648,964 In-Person Visits; 3,273,398 Online Visits; 159,368 Print Circulations; 10 million+ Circulation of Online Resources; 3,111,380 Ebook Downloads; 111,781 Video Streams. |
| Campus Life | The Division of Student Development and Campus Life is composed of dedicated professional staff and departments that touch every aspect of the student experience, supporting student progress from admission to graduation. They are passionately committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive campus community for all students. University encourages students to participate in the full breadth of vibrant student life experiences that are provided on campus through events, clubs, organizations, self-exploration and holistic wellness. The university works tirelessly to provide the students with a safe and secure environment for living, learning and personal growth. Montclair State University is home to 22 residence halls and is capable of housing 5,200 individuals. The University also offers residential Living Learning Communities. Participants of Living Learning Communities have opportunities to live together with other students who are taking similar courses or have a common college-based major. Chartwells, Montclair State’s dining services provider, focuses on providing excellent nutrition through quality ingredients – specializing in locally sourced, in-season foods. The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) has a variety of fun events and programs available for current students! From on campus organization fairs, to weekend movies, off campus trips to broadway and your favorite game of bingo, there is something for everyone! University has a beautiful Student Recreation Center open to all current students available all year round at no extra fee. You can either work out or enjoy open basketball, volleyball, soccer, racquetball, ping pong or swim. | 6 student centers, and 4 recreation centers; second-largest bus fleet in New Jersey; SHI Stadium; Louis Bow Athletic Center; Rutgers Ecological Preserve; Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum; RU Geology Museum; Rutgers Garden. You can indulge in a total of 750 student organizations and 100+ intramural teams and sports clubs. 4 student dining halls are available on-campus. |
| Hostel | #Off campus (not with family) - $12142 #On campus - $14458 #Off campus (with family) - $2310 | #On campus - $12452 #Off campus (not with family) - $18386 #Off campus (with family) - $3013 |
| Famous Alumni | Barbara Buono, former New Jersey State Senator and former New Jersey Democratic Gubernatorial nominee A. J. Khubani, founder, president and CEO of Telebrands Corp Jay Alders, fine artist, photographer and graphic designer, best known for his original surf art paintings | Over 500,000 alumni worldwide. Louis J. Freeh (Former Director FBI); Keith Sonnier (Artist); Betty Shannon (Mathematician); Gus Edwards (American Footballer); Charles Henry Selick (American Director); Duron Harmon (American Football safety); Selman Abraham Waksman (Inventor- discovered streptomycin) |
| City Life | Montclair, New Jersey is located just 13 miles from New York City. This is a highly walkable suburb that has been called “where the city meets the suburbs,” as well as “one of the coolest suburbs in America,” thanks to its excellent public schools, thriving arts and music scenes, tasty dining options, expansive parks (including the first countywide park system in the United States), and seemingly endless entertainment options. This suburb is also home to some of the nation’s most prestigious public institutions. Whether you’re interested in a job in finance, the arts, education, or entrepreneurship, Montclair’s proximity to New York City and dynamic economy provide you with countless alternatives. Companies including Google, New York University, Apple, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, American Express, Montclair State University, Johnson & Johnson, Goldman Sachs, Reuters, and NBC Universal all have offices in or around Montclair, NJ, and employ many locals. Montclair’s cost of living index is a whopping 172.4, 72% higher than the national average. While utilities, transportation, and groceries all cost more than the national average, health services cost slightly less. | New Brunswick is the county seat of Middlesex County situated along the Raritan River; Johnson and Johnson’s worldwide headquarter is located here; Economy is majorly dependant on forestry, mining and finishing; Other major industries are tourism, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing industries; Unemployment rate was 2.5% in April 2019 |
| Weather |
Montclair State University vs Rutgers University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Rutgers University, being the flagship public research university in New Jersey, is always ranked in the top #328 in QS and 301-350th in Times Higher Education universities in the world, with specific strengths in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, and Social Sciences. Montclair State University is regionally strong and nationally recognized, usually ranked in the in America, but doesn't show up as high in international rankings. Rutgers holds the distinct advantage of international recognition for research, whereas Montclair enjoys a reputation for excellence in teaching and professional programs in fields like Education, Business, and the Arts.
General Information
Established in 1766, Rutgers is one of America's most historic universities and a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. It has more than 68,000 students spread over its New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses, with a good research and professional education reputation. Montclair State University was established in 1908 as a large public university with around 22,000 students, situated in suburban Montclair, New Jersey. It provides a more intimate campus life and focuses on undergraduate and professional master's degree programs.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Rutgers is selective, with an approximate 65% acceptance rate, varying by program. Admission to more competitive majors such as Engineering, Business, and Computer Science demands strong academic performance. Montclair stands at approximately 87% acceptance, presenting greater accessibility, although majors such as Business and Education are selective. Rutgers draws a greater number of international and out-of-state students, whereas Montclair strongly appeals to local students looking for affordability and convenience.
Research Impact & Facilities
Rutgers is a high-research institution (R1), with more than $900 million in research expenditures per year, comprehensive medical schools, and premier institutes in genomics, pharmaceuticals, climate science, and public policy. Montclair is also an R2 research university, with increasing work in education research, sustainability, social sciences, and the arts but on a smaller scale. Rutgers has extensive libraries, medical facilities, and labs, while Montclair prioritizes up-to-date teaching spaces, media production centers, and a new School of Communication and Media.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both schools are state schools with lower in-state fees than private colleges. Rutgers charges around $16,000 (in-state) and $34,000 (out-of-state) per year, while Montclair is a bit cheaper at around $14,000 (in-state) and $23,000 (out-of-state). Both have financial aid available but Rutgers has more research assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships, while Montclair has merit and need-based aid, with a focus on accessibility to regional students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Achievement
Rutgers boasts a worldwide alumni base of more than 500,000 alumni, with significant numbers in medicine, law, business, government, and academia. Its alumni are competitively placed for well-compensated positions in New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere. Montclair graduates especially flourish in education, performing arts, media, and local business categories. Although Rutgers provides a wider range of national and international opportunities, Montclair's alumni network is reputed to be close-knit in New Jersey as well as in the tri-state region, especially in education and cultural sectors.
