Montclair State University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montclair State University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (23,375 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montclair State University is located in Montclair, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Montclair State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montclair State University 18:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montclair State University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Montclair State University than Penn State Brandywine ($17,669 vs. $22,710).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 13.5% lower than at Montclair State University ($14,474 vs. $16,730).
• Montclair State University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $704 more per year; $15,912.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Montclair State University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $630 more per year; $26,022.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montclair State University than at Penn State Brandywine (84% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 35.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($12,341 vs. $9,113).

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Montclair State University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine and Montclair State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Brandywine (1200) is 140 points higher than at Montclair State University (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montclair State University 910/1210; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montclair State University - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Montclair State University (87.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Montclair State University vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montclair State University and Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Brandywine earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Montclair State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have a $3,819 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($22,999 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($237 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Brandywine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Montclair State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.