Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Montclair, New Jersey
87.4% Acceptance Rate
Montclair State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.4%Acceptance Rate
3.3Avg GPA
1080Avg SAT
$25,926Annual Cost
$61,415Grad Salary
44.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.4%
Avg GPA
3.3
Avg SAT
1080
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
940–1225
Avg Net Price
$14,159
Need-Based Aid
44.4% receive Pell
Montclair State University is a public research university in New Jersey that balances academic excellence with urban-connected experiential learning. Admissions are selective, focusing on rigorous high school course loads and academic performance. The university looks for students who are ready to engage in research, participate in internships, and contribute to its vibrant, diverse, and highly collaborative intellectual community.
Montclair State University Acceptance Rate
Montclair State University runs an open-access admission policy — with a 87.4% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 87.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.85
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Montclair State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Montclair State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 129 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Montclair State University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: December 24
Rolling
March 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Scholarship consideration: 2026/03/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Montclair State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Montclair State University is 3.3. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.00–3.3 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.50–3.70.Montclair State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.90 – 3.09
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.89
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Holistic first-year review weighs GPA trend and course rigor (not a single GPA cutoff) alongside activities and an essay; strongest applicants typically carry a 3.2+ unweighted GPA with rigorous junior/senior coursework
- John Martinson Honors EDGE Program runs three separate application tracks (incoming first-year, transfer, current Montclair student) with different benchmarks; transfer applicants are explicitly invited to apply "regardless of GPA" if they show strong non-academic accomplishment; Fall 2026 transfer deadline is May 25
- College of the Arts admission requires a separate audition/interview/portfolio review process beyond general university admission, with its own calendar
- RN/BSN completion track requires a current NJ RN license or passing the NCLEX within 6 months of matriculation; Montclair is one of only two Hispanic-Serving Institutions in New Jersey and the second-largest public university in the state
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Montclair State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Montclair State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Montclair State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Montclair State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Montclair State University Without SAT or ACT?
Montclair State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Montclair State University Average SAT Score: 1080
The average SAT score of admitted students at Montclair State University is 1080 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1080 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1225 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Montclair State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 940, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Montclair State University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 533 | 460 | 605 |
| SAT Reading | 550 | 480 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1080 | 940 | 1225 |
Below 940, you're behind most admitted students; at 1225 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Montclair State University with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Montclair State University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Montclair State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Montclair State University isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Treat the published 3.2 GPA benchmark as a floor for the strongest applicant pool, not a hard cutoff, and lean into the essay where the rigor story isn't obvious from grades alone
Montclair states its strongest candidates carry a 3.2+ unweighted GPA with a challenging junior/senior course sequence, but frames the review explicitly as holistic - looking at GPA trend, course rigor (AP/IB/honors, math beyond Algebra II, science beyond chemistry, a 3rd/4th language year), and a well-rounded activity record together, not any single number in isolation. A student whose GPA sits below that benchmark because of one difficult semester should use the essay and activity list specifically to contextualize the trend and rigor choices, since Montclair's own admissions team describes reading for trajectory and fit, not just a transcript snapshot.
If pursuing the John Martinson Honors EDGE Program, identify the right application track immediately - the entry point (and what's actually being evaluated) differs by student type
Honors EDGE runs separate applications for incoming first-years, transfer students, and current Montclair students who've completed up to four semesters - transfer applicants are told a 3.50+ GPA is the typical benchmark but are explicitly invited to apply "regardless of GPA" if they show strong public service, research, leadership, or other notable accomplishment. The Fall 2026 transfer deadline is May 25 - later than many people expect for an honors program - but a student should still treat their personal-statement materials with real care, since the program explicitly states submissions must reflect the applicant's own voice and ideas rather than outside-assisted writing.
For College of the Arts majors, plan around a second, parallel admissions track with its own audition/portfolio/interview calendar
Montclair's College of the Arts runs audition, interview, and portfolio review dates separate from general university admission - meaning a strong general application doesn't substitute for, or guarantee, acceptance into a specific arts program, and a student needs to track two calendars (general admission deadlines and College of the Arts review dates) simultaneously rather than assuming one process covers both.
For nursing completion students, confirm the licensure-timing rule before counting on the RN/BSN pathway
Montclair's RN/BSN-completion track specifically requires applicants to either hold a current New Jersey RN license already, or pass the NCLEX exam within six months of matriculating into the program - meaning a student who hasn't yet passed boards needs to time their application and matriculation precisely around an NCLEX test date, not just complete prerequisite coursework and assume enrollment follows automatically.
Expert Insight:
Some students report being unaware they needed a department-level interview for a specific major (one Niche reviewer described falling behind in coursework after discovering, post-transfer-admission, that an interview was required for their intended program) - a reminder that general admission to Montclair and admission to a specific competitive major (Pre-Medical and several specialized programs are explicitly named as harder to enter) are not always the same decision. Confirm major-specific requirements with an academic advisor immediately after general admission, not after the first semester begins.
Montclair State University Profile
Full Name
Montclair State University
City
Montclair
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
07043-1624
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Montclair State University Degree Worth It?
At $25,926/year against a $61,415 median graduate salary, Montclair State University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $79,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.63%.
How much does a degree from Montclair State University Cost?
The sticker price is $25,926/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $14,159.
44.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 40.3% take federal loans at Montclair State University — file your FAFSA early and list Montclair State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Montclair State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $61,415 — about 51% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Montclair State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Montclair State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Montclair State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Montclair State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Montclair State University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Montclair State University run about $61,415 a year.
At about $25,926 a year, Montclair State University is on the more affordable end.
About 44.4% receive a Pell Grant at Montclair State University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 87.4%, Montclair State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Montclair State University average a 3.3 GPA.
Montclair State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.9, Montclair State University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Montclair State University — aim above 1080, ideally within the 940–1225 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Montclair State University is December 1 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 24. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 65. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Scholarship consideration: 2026/03/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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