2026 College Rankings: Montclair Named No. 1 Public Institution In NJ, Top 30 Public In The Nation – Press Room

Montclair State University has been named one of many high establishments within the nation in The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings.

For the primary time, Montclair has been named among the many Top 30 public establishments within the nation. It can be the No. 1 public establishment in New Jersey, and has seen its general rating rise to No. 67 general out of 584 faculties and universities.

In addition to different elements together with commencement charges, variety and studying surroundings, the rankings emphasize how properly an establishment prepares its college students for monetary success. Schools are rewarded for the increase offered to graduates’ salaries past what they may count on from attending one other establishment.

A Montclair graduate can count on a median of $34,013 added to their wage. Those further earnings had been then in contrast towards an establishment’s common web value to find out how lengthy it might take to pay again the price of attending. In Montclair’s case, the wage increase for typical graduates repays them for the price of attending in only one yr and 7 months.

Wall Street Journal 2026 Best U.S. Colleges Rankings At a Glance

• No. 67 general
• No. 29 amongst public establishments
• No. 1 public establishment in New Jersey (No. 2 general within the state behind solely Princeton University)
• No. 1 in New Jersey for social mobility (No. 14 general within the nation)
• Ranked forward of establishments together with Duke University, the University of Florida and UCLA within the general rankings

“Montclair State University is redefining what it means to be a top-tier public university,” says Montclair President Jonathan Koppell. “To be ranked among the Wall Street Journal’s top 30 public institutions in the nation — and first in New Jersey — is a powerful affirmation of our mission: providing an excellent, accessible education that delivers real results for our students. Our graduates are earning more, giving back more and proving that a university focused on inclusion can also lead in excellence.”

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