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Centenary University
Most applicants get into Centenary University — 83.1% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Centenary University occupies suburban Hackettstown, NJ — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. The school maintains its United Methodist affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Business Administration, Management and Operations, where graduates median $72,527 four years out. Faculty pay averages $90,396 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 910 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 77.8% of first-years come back for a second year.
The rest of this page puts figures to that sketch.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Centenary University received 1,294 applications and admitted 1,251 (96.7%), with 181 enrolling.
How Centenary University compares
| Centenary University | New Jersey median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 83.1% | 78.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $37,732 | $17,014 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $53,726 | $58,902 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Centenary University's median earnings are $53,726 — below the New Jersey benchmark of $58,902. Weigh that against the $37,732 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
Centenary University lists tuition at $37,732 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Centenary University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $37,732 as the ceiling, not the bill.
With 910 undergraduates, Centenary University is small enough that class size and faculty access are structural, not marketing claims.
56% graduate within six years. Roughly 44% don't — ask a Centenary University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Centenary University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $72,527 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $67,181 |
| Biology, General | $63,381 |
| Social Work | $62,373 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $61,358 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $50,746 |
| Sociology | $46,031 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,622 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,098 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,424 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | $40,047 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $34,057 |
Median earnings for these 12 Centenary University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $53,726 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 34 additional Centenary University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is Centenary University's acceptance rate?
96.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,251 admitted from 1,294 applicants.
How much does Centenary University cost?
At Centenary University, published tuition is $37,732 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Centenary University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Centenary University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $53,726 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in New Jersey
- Caldwell University — 71.3% admitted
- Bloomfield College of Montclair State University — 69.7% admitted
- Drew University — 67.8% admitted
- Georgian Court University — 78.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.