Centenary University vs. PennWest California

Should I go to Centenary University or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Centenary University or PennWest California is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Centenary University vs. PennWest California comparison
Centenary University PennWest California College 3 College 4
Centenary University PennWest California
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Overview

Centenary University PennWest California
Location Hackettstown, NJ California, PA
Setting Large Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 1,498 6,509
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #722 #1033
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centenaryuniversity.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Centenary University PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $34,890 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $34,890 $11,574
Room & Board $12,770 $10,416
Avg Net Price $21,935 -
Avg Grant Aid $27,592 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 0%

Admission

Centenary University PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,330 -
Admitted 1,284 -
Acceptance Rate 96.5%
Enrolled % 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/22 18/24
SAT Range 990/1170 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

Centenary University PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Centenary University PennWest California
Graduation Rate 49% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,600 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $258

Diversity

Centenary University PennWest California
% Men 33% 39%
% Women 67% 61%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 77%
% Black 11% 12%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 17% 2%

Students

Centenary University PennWest California
% In-State 78% 86%
% Out-of-State 22% 13%

Campus

Centenary University PennWest California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • PennWest California is larger than than Centenary University based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 1,498 students)

Centenary University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary University or PennWest California?

  • Centenary University is 352.2% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($34,890.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 201.5% higher at Centenary University than PennWest California ($34,890.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 22.6% lower than costs at Centenary University ($10,416 vs. $12,770)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Centenary University than PennWest California (99% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($27,592 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Centenary University or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Centenary University .

  • The average SAT score at Centenary University (929) is 7 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Centenary University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Centenary University (3.23)

Centenary University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Centenary University or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and Centenary University.

  • The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Centenary University (53% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Centenary University earn on average $7,100 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($49,600 vs. $42,500)
  • PennWest California students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Centenary University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,500)
  • PennWest California graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Centenary University graduates. ($258 vs. $263)
  • More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PennWest California students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/