Passaic Today

As the morning train arrives at Montclair State University Station, senior Emma Haskell boards for her commute to Manhattan. Haskell, a Social Media and Public Relations major with a Business minor, travels twice weekly for an entertainment public relations internship in the city.

“I decided to come to Montclair because it’s close to the city, and my career goals are focused on working there while I’m still young,” says Haskell. “Compared to other schools, Montclair is much more affordable and I know I’ll be able to pay off debt and make use of the connections I formed.”

Montclair State University emphasizes both affordability and opportunity. The university offers tuition rates lower than many similar institutions and is located just 12 miles from New York City. This proximity provides students with access to real-world experiences alongside their education.

The university has received national recognition for its outcomes. According to the WSJ/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges rankings, which focus on how well institutions prepare students financially after graduation, Montclair graduates see an average salary increase of $34,013 compared to what they might expect from attending another college. Most graduates recover the cost of their education in one year and seven months, placing Montclair among U.S. public universities with some of the fastest payback periods.

Chantelle Wright, assistant vice provost for Experiential Education and Career Connections at Montclair State University, commented on these rankings: “We were particularly excited because for us, it means that when people talk about the University being mission-driven, we actually see that trickle down.”

Students like Maura Mayfield also cite value as a deciding factor in choosing Montclair State University. Mayfield is a junior Illustration major from Maryland who considered several schools before selecting Montclair based on program quality and price.

“I’m from Maryland, so not too far away,” Mayfield says. “I considered several schools, but Montclair had the best program for the best price, and I was really impressed by the arts here.”

Mayfield participates in campus activities such as co-hosting a radio show at WMSC 90.3 FM and engaging in programs like More Animation and John Martinson Honors EDGE Program. Her classes include projects where students create art products for events like the Society of Illustrators’ MoCCA Arts Festival.

“I’m really happy to be taking such varied classes because it allows me to explore different ways to apply both my skills and major,” she says.

Experiential learning is central at Montclair State University. Wright explains: “It means being able to experience your future career... It’s about taking what you learn in the classroom and applying it to your aspirations.” For JoseCarlos Aguilar—a double major in Political Science and Child Advocacy—internships and research have helped him pursue his goal of public service.

“I know for sure I want to commit to public service,” Aguilar says.

Montclair offers resources including internships, micro-internships, campus jobs, community partnerships with over 7,000 approved employers nationwide (including global companies), faculty mentorships, individualized support services such as interview training or resume development workshops—and job fairs connecting students directly with employers.

“Students need to practice and experience a ‘day in the life’ of the profession they aspire to,” Wright adds. “That’s what experiential learning is – testing out your career goal.”

Freshman Jhonny Moncada majors in Fashion Design & Merchandising; he recently applied for a mentorship program through guidance from his adviser at College of Arts.

“Montclair has a very supportive environment that wants to see you succeed and advocates for you," Moncada says." That genuinely invites me to invest more of myself.”

The university encourages prospective students interested in nationally ranked programs or seeking further information about admissions or campus visits.