
Hackettstown, NJprivate nonprofitwww.centenaryuniversity.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 75%–98% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Centenary University, nestled in historic Hackettstown, NJ, is a small liberal arts school with an open-door admissions policy (83% acceptance rate) and a focus on personalized education. Known for its supportive environment and strong programs in business, biology, and equestrian studies, it serves a predominantly female student body (61%) with a graduation rate hovering around 58%. The university stands out for its social mobility efforts, ranking regionally for lifting lower-income students into the middle class.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Centenary University maintains an 83% acceptance rate (per U.S. News), making it accessible to most applicants. Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. since at least 2023, the school reports middle-50% SAT ranges of 990–1170 and ACT ranges of 15–22 (Niche). Notably, PrepScholar cites a 96.7% acceptance rate for one cohort, suggesting near-open admissions in some years. Applications can be submitted via the Common App or Centenary’s own portal, with rolling deadlines and no reported early decision/action options.
Centenary offers 30+ majors, with standout programs in Business Administration, Biological Sciences, and Equestrian Studies (the latter leveraging its rural NJ setting). The curriculum leans practical: popular majors include Accounting, Criminal Justice, and Education (U.S. News). Small class sizes are the norm, with a student-faculty ratio of . The university emphasizes adaptability, touting programs that 'meet you where you are' (official website), though its six-year graduation rate of (College Scorecard) suggests academic support remains a work in progress.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
With just 951 undergraduates (fall 2023), Centenary fosters a tight-knit community. The campus is described as 'safe and supportive' (student life page), with activities ranging from gaming clubs to service organizations. A 61% female majority shapes the social scene (U.S. News), and the suburban Hackettstown location offers quiet weekends—though NYC is 50 miles east. Reviews highlight the equestrian center and 'tailored support services,' but some note limited Greek life or big-event energy.
Centenary’s 58% six-year graduation rate lags behind national averages (College Scorecard), but it punches above its weight in social mobility—U.S. News ranks it #38 in Regional Universities North for advancing Pell Grant recipients. Alumni earnings data is sparse, but the university emphasizes career-ready skills, with 55% of students graduating within five years (institutional data). Female students graduate at higher rates than males (research.com).
Tuition stickers at $58,706 (CollegeData), but 97% of students receive aid, slashing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $22,838 (BigFuture). Centenary offers merit scholarships and need-based grants, with an average aid package of $25,153. Payment plans and veteran benefits are available, though the Net Price Calculator warns costs vary widely by individual circumstance.
Centenary’s equestrian program—rare in the Northeast—and hyper-personalized academics define its niche. Unlike cutthroat liberal arts colleges, it welcomes B/C students (evidenced by its ACT mid-range of 15–22) but struggles with retention. The university shines in social mobility, actively supporting First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and lower-income students. For those seeking small classes, rural tranquility, and a no-frills path to a degree, Centenary delivers—provided you navigate its uneven graduation odds.