kean university vs montclair state university

Kean University vs Montclair State University

Strength in Subject & World Rankings (2025/2026)

Kean University, Union, New Jersey, is strongest in Education, Business, Architecture & Design, and Health Sciences. It does not feature in QS or THE global rankings, but is predominantly regionally recognized. Montclair State University (MSU), also in New Jersey, has strength in Business, Psychology, Communication, Education, and the Arts. MSU is placed in the 1201–1400 band in QS World University Rankings 2026 and in the 601–800 band in THE World University Rankings 2025, providing it with better international exposure than Kean.

General Information

Kean University, established in 1855, is home to some 12,000 students and boasts a suburban location close to New York City, with professional job options to draw on. Montclair State, established in 1908, is home to approximately 22,000 students, the state's second-largest public university. MSU offers a broader array of programs, including doctoral work, while Kean focuses on undergraduate and applied professional education with a smaller, more community-based setting.

Acceptance Rate & Admission

Kean has an acceptance rate of about 79%, admitting students with average GPAs around 3.2 and SAT scores in the 970–1150 range. MSU is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of about 76%, admitting students with average GPAs around 3.3–3.5 and SAT scores in the 1050–1250 range. Both universities are accessible, though Montclair typically admits slightly stronger academic profiles.

Research Impact & Facilities

Kean is an R3 (moderate research) university with an emphasis in teaching and applied learning, and some education, health, and architecture research. MSU is an R2 research university with increasing prominence, particularly in business, psychology, sustainability, and communications studies. MSU has more advanced research labs and graduate programs than Kean, which is largely teaching-based.

Cost & Financial Aid

Kean tuition is approximately $13,000 annually for in-state and $20,500 for out-of-state/international students. MSU tuition is approximately $14,400 for in-state and $23,100 for out-of-state/international students. Both institutions offer merit- and need-based aid, with MSU offering more scholarships, including graduate and doctoral-student opportunities, with Kean mostly targeting undergraduate awards.

Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes

Kean alumni are found in education, health services, business, and public administration, with mid-career salaries averaging about $68,000 (INR 56 lakh). MSU alumni are well represented in business, media, education, psychology, and the arts, with mid-career salaries averaging about $72,000 (INR 59 lakh). Kean boasts a local alumni base in New Jersey schools and community services, while MSU's alumni base is more dispersed, especially in the New York–New Jersey metro area in business, media, and education.