2024 College Rankings: Montclair Among Nation’s Best for Women in STEM in Washington Monthly College Guide

Montclair State University may have been ranked among the best institutions in the nation in the 2024 Washington Monthly magazine’s 2024 College Guide and Rankings.

But within the results, it’s the University’s STEM programs – and the impact they’re having for women breaking into STEM-related fields – that further showcase how the institution is tackling society’s most pressing challenges.

Two academic areas in Montclair’s College of Science and Mathematics (CSAM) – Mathematics and Natural Resources (Environmental Science) – have been ranked No. 3 among the best schools for women in STEM in the Rankings’ Best and Worst Schools for Women in STEM category.

The rankings are based in equal parts on three measures: the percentage of program graduates who are female, the percentage of female students in the entire student body, and median earnings five years after graduation.

Women in STEM fields

While the percentage of women in STEM fields has improved, according to the National Center of Education Statistics, only 40% of bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields go to women.

Nearly 70% of Montclair’s students in both Mathematics and Natural Resources are female, showcasing the College’s commitment to continuing to reverse the trend.

The mission of the College is to increase access to STEM fields and provide high-quality educational experiences for these students. I am proud of our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women and diversifying the STEM workforce pipeline.

STEM Initiatives for Women at Montclair State University

Montclair champions several initiatives designed to increase participation by women and other underrepresented groups, including:

• The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
• The Bristol Meyers Squibb Science Scholars Program
• The American Heart Association HSI Scholars Program
• PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Green Teams Program