Montclair State University vs. PennWest California

Should I go to Montclair State University or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Montclair State University or PennWest California is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Montclair State University vs. PennWest California comparison
Montclair State University PennWest California College 3 College 4
Montclair State University PennWest California
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Montclair State University PennWest California
Location Montclair, NJ California, PA
Setting Large Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 21,784 6,509
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #618 #1033
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website montclair.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Montclair State University PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $12,755 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $21,465 $11,574
Room & Board $16,170 $10,416
Avg Net Price $13,742 -
Avg Grant Aid $11,771 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 0%

Admission

Montclair State University PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,393 -
Admitted 19,535 -
Acceptance Rate 91.3%
Enrolled % 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 950/1200 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

Montclair State University PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Montclair State University PennWest California
Graduation Rate 62% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,100 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,999 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $237 $258

Diversity

Montclair State University PennWest California
% Men 38% 39%
% Women 62% 61%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 44% 77%
% Black 11% 12%
% Hispanic 25% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 2%

Students

Montclair State University PennWest California
% In-State 95% 86%
% Out-of-State 4% 13%

Campus

Montclair State University PennWest California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Montclair State University is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (21,784 students vs. 6,509 students)

Montclair State University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montclair State University or PennWest California?

  • Montclair State University is 65.3% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($12,755.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.5% higher at Montclair State University than PennWest California ($21,465.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 55.2% lower than costs at Montclair State University ($10,416 vs. $16,170)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montclair State University than PennWest California (66% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($11,771 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Montclair State University or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Montclair State University .

  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Montclair State University (3.3)

Montclair State University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Montclair State University or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and Montclair State University.

  • The graduation rate at Montclair State University is higher than PennWest California (62% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Montclair State University earn on average $8,600 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $42,500)
  • Montclair State University students graduate with a $2,001 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($22,999 vs. $25,000)
  • Montclair State University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($237 vs. $258)
  • More Montclair State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PennWest California students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/