FAU vs. Montclair State University

Deciding between Florida Atlantic University and Montclair State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Florida Atlantic University
Montclair State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • FAU Boca Raton, FL
  • Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
  • Setting
  • FAU Small City
  • Montclair State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • FAU 31,607
  • Montclair State University 23,375
  • Type
  • FAU Public 4 Year
  • Montclair State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • FAU #657
  • Montclair State University #652
  • Religious Affiliation
  • FAU -
  • Montclair State University -
  • Status
  • FAU Non-profit
  • Montclair State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • FAU
  • Montclair State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • FAU $4,879
  • Montclair State University $15,912
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • FAU $17,324
  • Montclair State University $26,022
  • Room & Board
  • FAU $15,860
  • Montclair State University $16,730
  • Average Net Price
  • FAU $10,225
  • Montclair State University $17,669
  • Average Grant Aid
  • FAU $10,857
  • Montclair State University $12,341
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • FAU 86%
  • Montclair State University 84%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • FAU 31,511
  • Montclair State University 26,257
  • Admitted
  • FAU 20,838
  • Montclair State University 23,076
  • Acceptance Rate
  • FAU 66.1%
  • Montclair State University 87.9%
  • Enrolled
  • FAU 20.3%
  • Montclair State University 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • FAU 1120
  • Montclair State University 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • FAU 23
  • Montclair State University
  • Average High School GPA
  • FAU 3.74
  • Montclair State University 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • FAU A-
  • Montclair State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • FAU Moderate
  • Montclair State University Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • FAU Low
  • Montclair State University
  • ACT Range
  • FAU 21/26
  • Montclair State University
  • SAT Range
  • FAU 1040/1200
  • Montclair State University 910/1210
  • Submit Test Scores
  • FAU Required
  • Montclair State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • FAU May 1, 2027
  • Montclair State University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • FAU 24:1
  • Montclair State University 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • FAU
    • Business (27%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Montclair State University
    • Work and Family Studies (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • FAU 43%
  • Montclair State University 62%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • FAU $46,200
  • Montclair State University $51,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • FAU 54%
  • Montclair State University 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • FAU $16,861
  • Montclair State University $22,999
  • Median Loan Payment
  • FAU $174
  • Montclair State University $237
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • FAU 43%
  • Montclair State University 39%
  • % Women
  • FAU 57%
  • Montclair State University 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • FAU High
  • Montclair State University High
  • HBCU
  • FAU No
  • Montclair State University No
  • % White
  • FAU 43%
  • Montclair State University 44%
  • % Asian
  • FAU 4%
  • Montclair State University 5%
  • % Black
  • FAU 20%
  • Montclair State University 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • FAU 26%
  • Montclair State University 25%
  • % Native American
  • FAU 0%
  • Montclair State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • FAU 0%
  • Montclair State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • FAU 4%
  • Montclair State University 3%
  • % International
  • FAU 2%
  • Montclair State University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • FAU 1%
  • Montclair State University 9%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • FAU 78%
  • Montclair State University 95%
  • % Out-of-State
  • FAU 19%
  • Montclair State University 4%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • FAU Yes
  • Montclair State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • FAU No
  • Montclair State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • FAU Yes
  • Montclair State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • FAU Yes
  • Montclair State University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • FAU No
  • Montclair State University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than Montclair State University based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 23,375 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Montclair State University is in Montclair, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montclair State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Montclair State University 18:1.

FAU vs. Montclair State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or Montclair State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida Atlantic University than Montclair State University ($10,225 vs. $17,669).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Atlantic University are 5.2% lower than at Montclair State University ($15,860 vs. $16,730).
  • Montclair State University is 226.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $11,033 more per year; $15,912.00 vs. $4,879.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at Montclair State University than at Florida Atlantic University (about $8,698 more per year; $26,022.00 vs. $17,324.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at Montclair State University (86% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Florida Atlantic University students ($12,341 vs. $10,857).

FAU vs. Montclair State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or Montclair State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Montclair State University and FAU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Atlantic University (1120) is 60 points higher than at Montclair State University (1060).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; Montclair State University 910/1210.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; Montclair State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Montclair State University (3.3).
  • Montclair State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than FAU (66.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 18.2% at Montclair State University.

FAU vs. Montclair State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and Montclair State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Montclair State University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
  • Graduates from Montclair State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $6,138 lower median loan debt than Montclair State University graduates ($16,861 vs. $22,999).
  • Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Montclair State University graduates ($174 vs. $237).
  • More Montclair State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.