The magazine of Montclair State University Fall 2016

In its first academic year as a Carnegie-designated research doctoral university, Montclair State was ranked among the top 200 national universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report and in the top 100 public institutions in The Wall Street Journal rankings.

One of only seven New Jersey institutions in the U.S. News top-tier category of private and public universities, Montclair State finished on a par with schools including the University of New Mexico and Ball State University, and outperformed numerous universities including Bowling Green State University and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Montclair State’s rankings reflect its much higher-than-expected graduation rates given the characteristics of the student population, including its diversity and large number of first-generation college students.

“These recognitions affirm what an excellent job we do at helping students succeed here,” says Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Willard Gingerich.

These recognitions are the latest indication of the University’s forward momentum and its growing national reputation.

Dance Program Ranks In Top Five Nationally

This fall, Montclair State’s BFA program in Dance was cited as one of the top five programs in the country by OnStage, a leading online voice on the arts.

“The best kept secret in the world of dance is no longer a secret,” says College of the Arts Dean Daniel Gurskis. “We at Montclair State have always known that our dance program is among the finest in the country, both for its gifted students and for its extraordinary faculty.”

The program was commended for its conservatory-based approach to training, as well as for giving Dance majors the opportunity to rehearse and perform in exceptional state-of-the-art facilities, including spacious new dance studios and six professional-quality theaters.

LGBTQ-Friendly Campus

For the second consecutive year, Campus Pride has included Montclair State in its “Best of the Best” Top 30 list of LGBTQ-friendly institutions of higher education, joining Tufts, University of Pennsylvania and UCLA on the prestigious 2016 list of the nation’s most LGBTQ-inclusive schools in terms of policies, programs and practices.

“This is a huge honor that sets the bar high,” says Brian Edwards, the University’s assistant director of the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Other Recent Notable Rankings

Montclair State has also earned spots on other notable rankings lists, including:

• The graduate programs in elementary teacher education and secondary teacher education were both ranked nationally No. 14 in U.S. News & World Report's 2017 Best Education Schools.
• The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine has placed Montclair State on its list of “Top 100 Colleges for Hispanics” for 17 years in a row – and awarded it the second highest ranking in New Jersey in 2015.
• Money magazine listed Montclair State among the nation’s “50 Colleges that Add the Most Value” for 2016.