Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Centenary University #853 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,383 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Centenary University in the 71.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Centenary University #618 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Centenary University #853 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Centenary University enrolls roughly 910 undergraduates. Retention stands at 77.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 56.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts–focused institution. Centenary University draws strength from return on investment. Azimuth ranks Centenary University #618 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,383 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Centenary University in the 71.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant field — aligns with employer demand in the Northeast corridor and supports graduates into stable, well-compensated career pathways. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. Centenary University enrolls 38.3% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 38.2% first-generation students, positioning the institution in the 30.7 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 52.8 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tuition structure typical of private master's universities and the institution's financial aid reach. For students seeking a smaller, business-oriented private institution with solid long-term earnings outcomes and meaningful access for low-income and first-generation students, Centenary University offers a focused value proposition.
Centenary University's published cost of attendance is $52,362. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $13,329, middle-income families pay around $21,277, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,735. Azimuth ranks Centenary University #673 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Centenary University structures aid through need-based and merit-based components. Families apply for financial aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance affordable across income levels, though families should compare net-price figures across institutions to understand relative affordability in context. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,163, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,725; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,207, median federal debt of $23,163 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Centenary University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a small private university experience in NJ. The university's program mix is concentrated in these areas, representing 35% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,207, placing Centenary University in the 63.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,383 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 71.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 38.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 38.2% are first-generation. The admission rate is 83.1%, making the application process moderately selective. Fit depends on program alignment — students interested in Business and similar applied fields will find the strongest outcomes. Those seeking a small private university experience in NJ with above-average earnings potential will find Centenary University a compelling option.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Centenary University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Centenary University's published cost of attendance is $52,362. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $13,329, middle-income families pay around $21,277, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,735.
Azimuth ranks Centenary University #673 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Centenary University structures aid through need-based and merit-based components. Families apply for financial aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance affordable across income levels, though families should compare net-price figures across institutions to understand relative affordability in context. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,163, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,725; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,207, median federal debt of $23,163 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Centenary University earn median 4-year earnings of $63,207, placing Centenary University in the 63.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,383 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Centenary University in the 71.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Centenary University #618 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Centenary University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 88 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $72,527, representing 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 26 students earning $61,358 four years after enrollment, while Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services and Criminal Justice round out the top programs with 23 and 20 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor Centenary University's return profile and connect students to stable career pathways in accounting, management, and related professional disciplines.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
88 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
20 graduates
Biology, General
10 graduates
Social Work
12 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
26 graduates
Centenary University's program mix centers on Business, reflecting the institution's applied-professional orientation. Business Administration is the largest program with 88 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Research Psychology, and Criminal Justice.
Across 16 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 288 students annually. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and professional fields.
Business Administration leads with median earnings of $72,527 four years after enrollment across 88 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice at $67,181 with 20 graduates and Social Work at $62,373. Teacher Education and Design and Applied Arts round out the highest-earning programs, delivering median earnings of $61,358 and $50,746 respectively.
These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes. Centenary University's program portfolio emphasizes practical preparation for professional careers.
The concentration in Business at 35%, combined with meaningful shares in Education and Arts, positions graduates for roles in finance, management, and applied business sectors. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with current labor-market demand and wage growth trajectories.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilkes University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#24828 ranked) | PA | 91% | $63,454 | #24828 | Compare |
College Of Saint Benedict Similar quality tier (#24832 ranked) | MN | 92% | $63,260 | #24832 | Compare |
Mount Mercy University Similar quality tier (#24835 ranked) | IA | 83% | $60,787 | #24835 | Compare |
Mayo Clinic College Of Medicine And Science Similar quality tier (#24825 ranked) | MN | 39% | $79,652 | #24825 | Compare |
Herzing University-Kenosha Similar quality tier (#24838 ranked) | WI | 92% | $36,909 | #24838 | Compare |
