{"id":226919,"date":"2025-11-10T13:27:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T18:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=226919"},"modified":"2025-11-17T13:42:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T18:42:27","slug":"why-montclair-state-university-is-a-top-choice-for-affordable-tuition-fastest-payback-and-real-student-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/11\/10\/why-montclair-state-university-is-a-top-choice-for-affordable-tuition-fastest-payback-and-real-student-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Montclair State University Is a Top Choice for Affordable Tuition, Fastest Payback and Real Student Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the 7:17 a.m. train pulls into the Montclair State University Station, senior Emma Haskell steps aboard, headed for her day in Manhattan. Twice a week, she travels into the city for her entertainment public relations internship \u2013 gaining hands-on experience that\u2019s already shaping her career.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to come to Montclair because it\u2019s close to the city, and my career goals are focused on working there while I\u2019m still young,\u201d says Haskell, a Social Media and Public Relations<\/a> major with a Business <\/a>minor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCompared to other schools, Montclair is much more affordable and I know I\u2019ll be able to pay off debt and make use of the connections I formed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Emma
Emma Haskell prepares to board the train to New York from the Montclair State University Station, located directly across from her dorm. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Emma
Emma Haskell rides the train into New York City en route to her entertainment public relations internship. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At Montclair, affordability and opportunity go hand in hand. With tuition lower than many comparable institutions and a location just 12 miles from New York City, the University offers students a powerful combination of accessible education, real-world experience and long-term value.<\/span><\/p>\n

Montclair\u2019s national recognition highlights its strong outcomes for graduates. According to the WSJ\/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges rankings<\/a> \u2013 which emphasize how well institutions prepare students for financial success \u2013 Montclair graduates receive an average salary boost of $34,013 above what they could expect from attending another college. The typical graduate recoups the cost of their education in just one year and seven months, placing Montclair among the fastest for payback period among all U.S. public universities.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Chantelle Wright, assistant vice provost for Experiential Education and Career Connections<\/a>, explains, Montclair\u2019s rankings tell a deeper story.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were particularly excited because for us, it means that when people talk about the University being mission-driven, we actually see that trickle down,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Emma
As an Admissions Ambassador, Emma Haskell guides prospective students through campus, helping them envision their Montclair journey. (Photo by University Photographer John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Students Say About Montclair’s Value<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Haskell gives campus tours<\/a> to high school students, who most often ask about campus life and academics. She wishes more would ask about rankings and financial considerations to better prepare for the long run.<\/p>\n

Not enough students ask about cost and value, but it\u2019s a good question. It’s important to know what you\u2019re signing up for.\u201d \u2013 <\/span>Emma Haskell<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For students like Maura Mayfield, a junior Illustration<\/a> major, those questions about value made all the difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from Maryland, so not too far away,\u201d Mayfield says. \u201cI considered several schools, but Montclair had the best program for the best price, and I was really impressed by the arts here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Through her work at the campus radio station WMSC 90.3 FM<\/a> \u2013 where she co-hosts and co-created the program More Animation<\/em> \u2013 her role as a student worker in Calcia Hall, and her active participation in the John Martinson Honors EDGE Program<\/a>, Mayfield has discovered both creativity and opportunity.<\/p>\n

Mayfield\u2019s academic load reflects her passion through both digital and traditional illustration, and her classes allow her to apply her interests in different ways. For example, in \u201cProducts and Zines,\u201d students are preparing their own art and custom products to sell at the Society of Illustrators\u2019 <\/span>MoCCA Arts Festival <\/span>in the spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really happy to be taking such varied classes because it allows me to explore different ways to apply both my skills and major,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Maura
In class, Maura Mayfield, a junior Illustration major from Maryland, hones her animation skills as she prepares for a future in visual development for film and television. (Photo by University Photographer John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hands-On Learning That Drives Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Experiential learning stands at the heart of the Montclair experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means being able to experience your future career,\u201d says Wright. \u201cIt\u2019s about taking what you learn in the classroom and applying it to your aspirations.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Jose Carlos Aguilar, a double major in Political Science<\/a> and Child Advocacy and Policy<\/a>, that philosophy has shaped his time at Montclair. Through internships, policy research, fellowships and campus leadership roles, he has turned academics into action \u2013 tackling real issues in government, child welfare and advocacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know for sure I want to commit to public service,\u201d Aguilar says.<\/p>\n

Inside the Montclair Edge<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Students can access:<\/p>\n