Centenary University
Centenary University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Centenary University at a Glance
Centenary University is a private university in Hackettstown, New Jersey, United States. Founded as a preparatory school by the Newark Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1867, Centenary evolved into a junior college for women and later a coeducational university.
1867
159 years old
$14M
$14.4 million (2022)
936
62
41 acres
Identity
Is Centenary University Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Centenary University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,726 — 0% above average — while paying $20,503/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Centenary University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Centenary University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #56 of 175 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #56 | Centenary University | 37 | $20,503 | $53,726 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Centenary University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NJ.
Best Programs at Centenary University
The highest-earning program at Centenary University is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $44,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Design and Applied Arts at $20,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Centenary University earns $44,200, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $20,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,560 for Design and Applied Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,503/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,200 | $44,200 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,500 | $40,500 | $26,250 |
| Sociology | $32,100 | $32,100 | $27,000 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $31,900 | $31,900 | N/A |
| Apparel and Textiles | $31,600 | $31,600 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,000 | $29,000 | $22,250 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $20,100 | $20,100 | $25,560 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hackettstown, NJ
- Student Body
- 910 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,503
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,726
- Median Student Debt
- $23,163