Salem State University vs. Montclair State University

Should I go to Salem State University or Montclair State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Salem State University or Montclair State University 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.

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Salem State University vs. Montclair State University comparison
Salem State University Montclair State University College 3 College 4
Salem State University Montclair State University
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Overview

Salem State University Montclair State University
Location Salem, MA Montclair, NJ
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,539 21,784
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #618
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu montclair.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Montclair State University
Tuition (In State) $910 $12,755
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $21,465
Room & Board $14,954 $16,170
Avg Net Price $19,277 $13,742
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $11,771
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 66%

Admission

Salem State University Montclair State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 21,393
Admitted 4,719 19,535
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 91.3%
Enrolled % 18.3% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range 986/1210 950/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Salem State University Montclair State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Montclair State University
Graduation Rate 42% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $22,999
Median Loan Payment $248 $237

Diversity

Salem State University Montclair State University
% Men 31% 38%
% Women 69% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 44%
% Black 9% 11%
% Hispanic 12% 25%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

Salem State University Montclair State University
% In-State 90% 95%
% Out-of-State 8% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Montclair State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (21,784 students vs. 6,539 students)

Salem State University vs. Montclair State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Montclair State University?

  • Montclair State University is 1,301.6% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($12,755.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 204.5% higher at Montclair State University than Salem State University ($21,465.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montclair State University than Salem State University ($13,742 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 8.1% lower than costs at Montclair State University ($14,954 vs. $16,170)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Montclair State University (99% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 37.5% larger than aid received Salem State University ($11,771 vs. $8,562)

Salem State University vs. Montclair State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Montclair State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Montclair State University (91.3%)

Salem State University vs. Montclair State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or Montclair State University? 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 Montclair State University and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Montclair State University is higher than Salem State University (62% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Montclair State University earn on average $6,700 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $44,400)
  • Montclair State University students graduate with a $1,001 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($22,999 vs. $24,000)
  • Montclair State University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($237 vs. $248)
  • More Montclair State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 63%)

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