Centenary University
#3 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,726 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,503 C-
- 20% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Business Colleges in New Jersey.
Every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,210,768.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 32% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $15.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Centenary University Matters
Centenary University is a private university in Hackettstown, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 910
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Centenary University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,503 a year after grants and scholarships — 20% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,726 ten years after enrolling — 32% above the typical college, against $23,163 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 74% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.66 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Centenary University is a solid choice for students looking to engage deeply in their studies while enjoying a close-knit community. With an acceptance rate of 83%, it welcomes a diverse range of learners. Students often gravitate toward programs in Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and the Visual & Performing Arts. Those fields speak to individuals passionate about making an impact in their careers and communities.
After graduation, students at Centenary can expect earnings averaging around $53,726 ten years post-degree. While the graduation rate sits at 56%, many who complete their programs find themselves ready to take on the job market. The cost of attending can be manageable, especially considering the support available for those who qualify for financial aid, which includes a 38% Pell Grant rate.
When we look at the financial side, the net price after aid comes to about $20,503, with a median debt of $23,163. This combination suggests that while there is some debt to consider, many students find paths to success that suit their goals. Centenary tends to attract individuals who appreciate a hands-on learning environment and value personal connections, making it a nurturing place for growth.
Rankings
- #3 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey
- #3 Best Education Colleges in New Jersey
- #7 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey
- #8 Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- #10 Best Psychology Colleges in New Jersey
- #13 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Jersey
- #13 Best Master's Programs in New Jersey
- #14 Best Online Colleges in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective Centenary University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Centenary University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Centenary University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- ACT Midpoint
- 19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,533
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 1,330
- Admitted
- 1,284
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Centenary University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Centenary University is $37,732, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,503. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,329 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,163 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,732
- Out-of-State
- $37,732
- Avg Net Price
- $20,503
- Median Debt
- $23,163
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 63%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,329
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,047
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,277
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,735
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Centenary University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Centenary University earn a median of $53,726, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,049
- 8 Years
- $50,419
- 10 Years
- $53,726
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (90)
- 50%
- 100% (90)
- 50%
- 100% (90)
- 50%
- 100% (90)
- 50%
How Centenary Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Centenary University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Centenary University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,503/year ($82,012 total). Graduates earn $53,726 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,292,780 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,210,768 (15.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,163, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $82,012
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,292,780
- Net Return
- $1,210,768
- ROI Multiple
- 15.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,503
- Median Debt
- $23,163
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Centenary University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Centenary University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.04%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.04%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $94,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,183,486
- Investment Income
- $-2,050,627
Top Programs
The fields Centenary University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 30%
- Education 13%
- Psychology 9%
- Criminal Justice 9%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Humanities 4%
- English & Literature 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Centenary University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Centenary University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Centenary University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Centenary University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Centenary University is $37,732, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,503. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,329 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,163 in federal student loans.
Is Centenary University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Centenary University earn a median of $53,726, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Centenary University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Centenary University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.04%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Centenary University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Centenary University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Centenary University.
- Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights, IL · Close peer61% grad $55,700 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Illinois CollegeJacksonville, IL · Close peer63% grad $52,575 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Heidelberg UniversityTiffin, OH · Close peer51% grad $48,466 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown, PA · Close peer59% grad $59,460 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westminster CollegeNew Wilmington, PA · Close peer65% grad $53,861 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central CollegePella, IA · Close peer68% grad $54,317 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Centenary University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Centenary University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note