Montclair State University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Montclair State University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (23,375 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montclair State University is located in Montclair, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Montclair State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montclair State University 18:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montclair State University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than Montclair State University ($16,621 vs. $17,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 8.7% lower than at Montclair State University ($15,274 vs. $16,730).
• Montclair State University is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $1,632 more per year; $15,912.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Montclair State University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $2,016 more per year; $26,022.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at Montclair State University (89% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 26.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($12,341 vs. $9,742).

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Wilkes Barre (1210) is 150 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 Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montclair State University - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Montclair State University (87.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Montclair State University vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montclair State University and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre graduates ($237 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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.