Centenary University vs. McMurry University

Should I go to Centenary University or McMurry University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Centenary University or McMurry University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Centenary University vs. McMurry University comparison
Centenary University McMurry University College 3 College 4
Centenary University McMurry University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Centenary University McMurry University
Location Hackettstown, NJ Abilene, TX
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 1,453 2,549
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #676 #789
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centenaryuniversity.edu mcm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Centenary University McMurry University
Tuition (In State) $36,636 $30,922
Tuition (Out of State) $36,636 $30,922
Room & Board $12,552 $9,788
Avg Net Price $22,838 $20,817
Avg Grant Aid $28,415 $22,204
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Centenary University McMurry University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,294 4,836
Admitted 1,251 2,788
Acceptance Rate 96.7% 57.7%
Enrolled % 14.5% 11.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.7
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/22 18/25
SAT Range 990/1170 1010/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Centenary University McMurry University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Centenary University McMurry University
Graduation Rate 49% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,600 $43,700
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $26,824
Median Loan Payment $263 $277

Diversity

Centenary University McMurry University
% Men 8% 0%
% Women 27% 0%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 52%
% Black 11% 18%
% Hispanic 11% 25%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 17% 0%

Students

Centenary University McMurry University
% In-State 78% 94%
% Out-of-State 22% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • McMurry University is larger than than Centenary University based on total student enrollment (2,549 students vs. 1,453 students)

Centenary University vs. McMurry University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary University or McMurry University?

  • Centenary University is 18.5% more expensive to attend than McMurry University for in-state tuition ($36,636.00 vs. $30,922.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.5% higher at Centenary University than McMurry University ($36,636.00 vs. $30,922.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McMurry University than Centenary University ($20,817 vs. $22,838)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McMurry University are 28.2% lower than costs at Centenary University ($9,788 vs. $12,552)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Centenary University than McMurry University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is 28% larger than aid received McMurry University ($28,415 vs. $22,204)

Centenary University vs. McMurry University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Centenary University (929) is 42 points higher than at McMurry University (887)
  • Incoming Centenary University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McMurry University (19)
  • Accepted freshman McMurry University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Centenary University (3.23)
  • Centenary University has a higher acceptance rate (96.7%) than McMurry University (57.7%)

Centenary University vs. McMurry University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Centenary University or McMurry University? 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 McMurry University and Centenary University.

  • The graduation rate at Centenary University is higher than McMurry University (49% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Centenary University earn on average $5,900 more per year than McMurry University graduates after ten years. ($49,600 vs. $43,700)
  • Centenary University students graduate with a $1,324 lower median federal student loan debt than McMurry University graduates. ($25,500 vs. $26,824)
  • Centenary University graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than McMurry University graduates. ($263 vs. $277)
  • More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McMurry University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 53%)

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