Salem State University vs. Montclair State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Montclair State University is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (23,375 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Montclair State University is in Montclair, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montclair State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Montclair State University 18:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montclair State University are 0.6% lower than at Salem State University ($16,730 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.2% higher at Montclair State University than at Salem State University (about $6,491 more per year; $26,022 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Montclair State University (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 19.6% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($12,341 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at Montclair State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Montclair State University average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 18.2% at Montclair State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have a $1,001 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($22,999 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.