Montclair State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Montclair State University charges a net price of $15,566/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $62,264. Graduates earn a median $61,415 ten years after entry, $13,055/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.8 years — a 20-year net return of $198,836, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Montclair State University's 4.8-year payback ranks #394 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 69% of them, and #12 of 78 in New Jersey.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,566/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $62,264 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $61,415 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $13,055/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $198,836 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Montclair State University's own numbers. Net price $15,566 × 4 years = $62,264 total. Median earnings $61,415 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $13,055 a year of premium. $62,264 ÷ $13,055 = 4.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $198,836. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Montclair State University students graduate with?
A median $22,000 in federal loans among completers, or 36% of the $61,415 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Montclair State University students graduate?
65% finish their degree — 35% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $62,264 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $95,791 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Montclair State University expensive compared with other New Jersey colleges?
Its $15,566 net price runs $4,852 below the $20,418 median across the 78 New Jersey colleges we profile, and $19,406 less across the full degree.