Rutgers NB vs Montclair State

Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Montclair State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in New Jersey, offer distinct academic experiences and opportunities. Rutgers, a Big Ten research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a more diverse student body, while Montclair State, a public research university, offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the details of each university's acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Montclair State University	Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Overview
Location	Montclair, New Jersey	New Brunswick, New Jersey
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	79.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	90.6%	68.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70
SAT range	1010 - 1210	1240 - 1470
ACT range	N/A	27 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	13.0%	45.0%
Students submitting ACT score		7.0%
Total number of applicants	18,691	43,161
Total number of admissions given out	16,936	29,419
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,491	7,105
Yield rate	20.6%	24.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $34,486 Out of state: $42,606	In state: $40,665 Out of state: $57,866
Average net price	$12,026	$11,803
Tuition	In state: $12,323 Out of state: $20,443	In state: $12,536 Out of state: $29,737
Room & board	$16,388	Room/dormitory: $8,170 Meal plan: $5,232
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	65.0% Average amount $10,846	60.0% Average amount $10,835
Students receiving federal student loan	45.0% Average amount $5,261	35.0% Average amount $4,983
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $14,505	3.0% Average amount $16,429

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	16,093 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%	36,152 Men 49.9% Women 50.1%
Graduate students	4,651 Men 28.8% Women 71.2%	14,652 Men 36.3% Women 63.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	7.2%	6.7%
International students	2.1%	10.9%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	4,800	16,088
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland	New Jersey New York Pennsylvania California Mississippi

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Education Psychology Multidisciplinary Studies Visual & Performing Arts	Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	67.3%	83.7%
Dropout rate	9.4%	6.8%
Transferred out	21.4%	8.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $248,696 Year 2: $248,619 Year 3: $190,541 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,618 Year 2: $109,327 Year 3: $125,566 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $125,431 Year 2: $110,432 Year 3: $124,617 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,491 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $118,713 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,836 Year 2: $82,931 Year 3: $117,987 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,887 Year 2: $112,970 Year 3: $115,126 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $88,760 Year 2: $103,237 Year 3: $114,164 Biological and Physical Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,298 Year 2: $64,791 Year 3: $102,688 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,205 Year 2: $74,063 Year 3: $95,327 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,934 Year 2: $71,778 Year 3: $90,572

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Montclair State University?

Rutgers-New Brunswick is a large, public research university with a broad range of programs and a strong emphasis on research. It's known for its size, diverse student body, and extensive resources. Montclair State University is a mid-sized public university with a focus on undergraduate education and professional programs. It's known for its strong arts programs, proximity to New York City, and more personalized learning environment.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

Rutgers-New Brunswick is generally more selective than Montclair State University. Rutgers typically requires higher standardized test scores and a stronger academic record for admission.
How do the tuition costs compare between Rutgers and Montclair State?

Generally, Rutgers-New Brunswick has a slightly higher tuition cost than Montclair State University, especially for out-of-state students. However, both are public universities, making them more affordable than private institutions. Be sure to check the latest tuition rates on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
Which university is better for students interested in research opportunities?

Rutgers-New Brunswick is the stronger choice for students seeking extensive research opportunities. As a major research university, Rutgers offers numerous research labs, centers, and programs across various disciplines. While Montclair State offers research opportunities, they are generally less extensive than those at Rutgers.
How do the campus environments differ?

Rutgers-New Brunswick has a large, sprawling campus with a vibrant and diverse student life. It offers a traditional college town atmosphere with many on-campus activities and events. Montclair State has a more compact campus with a strong sense of community. Its proximity to New York City provides students with easy access to cultural and professional opportunities.
Which university has stronger programs in the arts?

Montclair State University is particularly well-regarded for its arts programs, including theater, dance, music, and visual arts. Rutgers also has strong arts programs, but Montclair State's focus and dedicated facilities often make it a preferred choice for aspiring artists.
How does the student body size compare?

Rutgers-New Brunswick has a significantly larger student body than Montclair State University. This means larger class sizes in some cases, but also a wider range of perspectives and experiences among your peers.
Which university is closer to New York City?

Montclair State University is geographically closer to New York City than Rutgers-New Brunswick. This provides Montclair State students with easier access to internships, cultural events, and other opportunities in the city.
What types of academic programs are offered at each university?

Both Rutgers-New Brunswick and Montclair State University offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Rutgers has a broader selection, particularly at the doctoral level, due to its research focus. Montclair State excels in teacher education, business, and the arts, while Rutgers has renowned programs in STEM fields, law, and medicine.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both universities offer career services and internship support. Rutgers-New Brunswick, due to its size and alumni network, may offer a wider range of internship opportunities, particularly in larger corporations and research institutions. Montclair State's proximity to New York City provides access to internships in media, finance, and the arts.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

While the exact ratio can fluctuate, Montclair State University generally has a slightly lower student-to-faculty ratio than Rutgers-New Brunswick. This can lead to smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from professors at Montclair State.
Which university is better for students seeking a traditional 'college town' experience?

Rutgers-New Brunswick offers a more traditional 'college town' experience. The city of New Brunswick is centered around the university, with many shops, restaurants, and activities catering to students. Montclair State, while located in a suburban setting, offers a different kind of experience with easy access to both the town of Montclair and New York City.
How do the housing options compare between the two universities?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and apartments. Rutgers-New Brunswick, with its larger student body, has a greater number of residence halls and a wider range of housing styles. Montclair State also offers diverse housing options, with a focus on creating a strong residential community.

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