Long Island University (LIU) vs Montclair State

Long Island University (LIU) and Montclair State University (MSU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. LIU, with its two campuses in Brooklyn and Post, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, including popular majors like Business, Health Professions, and Liberal Arts. MSU, located in the vibrant town of Montclair, New Jersey, is known for its strong academic reputation, with popular majors in Business, Education, and Communication. While both universities offer a welcoming and supportive learning environment, they differ in their acceptance rates, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Long Island University	Montclair State University
Overview
Location	Brookville, New York	Montclair, New Jersey
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	79.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	93.3%	90.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1100 - 1320	1010 - 1210
ACT range	24 - 31	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	6.0%
Total number of applicants	17,423	18,691
Total number of admissions given out	16,259	16,936
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,198	3,491
Yield rate	7.4%	20.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$68,790	In state: $34,486 Out of state: $42,606
Average net price	$22,620	$12,026
Tuition	$37,296	In state: $12,323 Out of state: $20,443
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,926 Meal plan: $5,732	$16,388
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	97.0% Average amount $29,192	65.0% Average amount $10,846
Students receiving federal student loan	39.0% Average amount $5,207	45.0% Average amount $5,261
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $18,309	8.0% Average amount $14,505

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	10,707 Men 37.6% Women 62.4%	16,093 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Graduate students	4,484 Men 21.9% Women 78.1%	4,651 Men 28.8% Women 71.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	33.0%	7.2%
International students	3.2%	2.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,520	4,800
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York Texas New Jersey California Pennsylvania	New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Business Public Administration and Social Service Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Education Psychology Multidisciplinary Studies Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	46.8%	67.3%
Dropout rate	13.7%	9.4%
Transferred out	37.9%	21.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,028 Year 2: $113,045 Year 3: $123,365 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $111,859 Year 2: $109,986 Year 3: $119,068 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $93,840 Year 2: $109,136 Year 3: $116,296 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,710 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $115,516 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $94,012 Year 2: $94,508 Year 3: $100,207 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,512 Year 2: $98,403 Year 3: $98,159 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,520 Year 2: $81,158 Year 3: $89,001 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $72,968 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $80,006 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $60,097 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $79,939 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,291 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $75,303	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,436 Year 2: $88,971 Year 3: $97,794 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $82,574 Year 2: $73,737 Year 3: $80,745 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $66,069 Year 3: $76,275 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,430 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $75,288 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,437 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $64,578 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,871 Year 2: $46,869 Year 3: $63,277 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $62,057 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $58,634 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $50,012 Year 2: $45,715 Year 3: $58,616 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,928 Year 2: $54,322 Year 3: $57,724 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,613 Year 2: $54,996 Year 3: $56,485

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Long Island University (LIU) and Montclair State University (MSU)?

LIU is a private university with a more intimate campus environment, particularly at its LIU Post campus, known for its strong arts and equestrian programs. Montclair State University, on the other hand, is a public university with a larger student body and a broader range of academic programs, especially strong in education, business, and the performing arts. LIU generally has a higher tuition cost compared to Montclair State, especially for in-state students at Montclair State.
Which university is larger, LIU or Montclair State?

Montclair State University is significantly larger than Long Island University in terms of student enrollment. Montclair State has a much larger campus and a more diverse student population.
How do the tuition costs compare between LIU and Montclair State?

Generally, LIU has a higher tuition cost than Montclair State University. Montclair State, being a public university, offers lower tuition rates for in-state students. However, it's always best to check the most recent tuition rates on each university's official website, as costs can change annually.
Which university has stronger programs in the arts?

Both universities have strong arts programs. LIU Post is particularly well-regarded for its fine arts, performing arts, and equestrian programs. Montclair State University also boasts excellent performing arts programs, including music, theater, and dance, and has significant resources dedicated to these areas.
What are the strengths of Montclair State University?

Montclair State University is known for its strong programs in education, business, communication, and the performing arts. It also has a growing reputation for its science and technology programs. Its location provides easy access to New York City, offering students internship and career opportunities.
What are the strengths of Long Island University?

Long Island University, particularly its LIU Post campus, is known for its strong arts programs, including fine arts, performing arts, and equestrian studies. It also offers a variety of professional programs and provides a more personalized learning environment due to its smaller class sizes.
How does campus life differ between LIU and Montclair State?

LIU, especially at LIU Post, offers a more intimate campus environment with a focus on community. Montclair State, being a larger university, offers a more diverse and vibrant campus life with a wider range of clubs, organizations, and activities. Montclair State also has a more traditional college town feel due to its location.
Which university is closer to New York City?

Montclair State University is geographically closer to New York City than LIU Post. This proximity provides Montclair State students with easier access to internships, cultural attractions, and other opportunities in the city.
What types of students would thrive at LIU?

Students who prefer a smaller, more personalized learning environment and are interested in strong arts programs, particularly fine arts, performing arts, or equestrian studies, would likely thrive at LIU. Those seeking a close-knit community and individualized attention may also find LIU a good fit.
What types of students would thrive at Montclair State University?

Students who prefer a larger university with a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs would likely thrive at Montclair State University. Those interested in education, business, communication, or the performing arts, and who value access to New York City, may also find Montclair State a good fit.
Does either university offer online programs?

Yes, both Long Island University and Montclair State University offer a variety of online programs. It's best to check each university's website to see the specific online programs available.
How do the career services compare between LIU and Montclair State?

Both LIU and Montclair State offer career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career development. Montclair State's proximity to New York City may provide a slight advantage in terms of internship opportunities, but LIU also has strong connections with employers in the Long Island and New York metropolitan area. It's recommended to research the specific career services offered by each university within your field of interest.

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