Head-to-head comparison
Montclair State University vs Ramapo College of New Jersey: which has better ROI?
Option A Montclair, NJ
Montclair State University
- Net price / year
- $15,566
- Earnings, 10 years
- $61,415
- Payback
- 4.8 yrs
Option B Mahwah, NJ
Ramapo College of New Jersey
- Net price / year
- $18,173
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,541
- Payback
- 3.8 yrs
Ramapo College of New Jersey has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,692 in 3.8 years versus 4.8 years at Montclair State University, on median earnings of $67,541 vs $61,415 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montclair State University | Ramapo College of New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,566 | $18,173 |
| Total net cost | $62,264 | $72,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,415 | $67,541 |
| Median debt | $22,000 | $21,000 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $198,836 | $310,928 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Montclair State University or Ramapo College of New Jersey?
Montclair State University, at $15,566 a year after aid versus $18,173 — a gap of $2,607 a year, or $10,428 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Montclair State University or Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates earn more?
Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates report a median $67,541 ten years after entry, $6,126 more than the $61,415 at Montclair State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Montclair State University or Ramapo College of New Jersey?
Ramapo College of New Jersey: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $22,000 at Montclair State University, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Ramapo College of New Jersey, against 65% at Montclair State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.