Centenary University vs. NSU

Should I go to Centenary University or Norfolk State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Centenary University or NSU 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. Norfolk State University comparison
Centenary University Norfolk State University College 3 College 4
Centenary University Norfolk State University
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Overview

Centenary University NSU
Location Hackettstown, NJ Norfolk, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 1,453 6,045
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #676 #999
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centenaryuniversity.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Centenary University NSU
Tuition (In State) $36,636 $5,926
Tuition (Out of State) $36,636 $17,428
Room & Board $12,552 $11,692
Avg Net Price $22,838 $12,272
Avg Grant Aid $28,415 $11,153
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Centenary University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,294 10,211
Admitted 1,251 8,931
Acceptance Rate 96.7% 87.5%
Enrolled % 14.5% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/22 16/21
SAT Range 990/1170 840/1100
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 May 31, 2025

Academics

Centenary University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Centenary University NSU
Graduation Rate 49% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,600 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $320

Diversity

Centenary University NSU
% Men 8% 3%
% Women 27% 5%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 55% 5%
% Black 11% 84%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 17% 3%

Students

Centenary University NSU
% In-State 78% 65%
% Out-of-State 22% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Centenary University based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 1,453 students)

Centenary University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary University or NSU?

  • Centenary University is 518.2% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($36,636.00 vs. $5,926.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 110.2% higher at Centenary University than Norfolk State University ($36,636.00 vs. $17,428.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Norfolk State University than Centenary University ($12,272 vs. $22,838)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 7.4% lower than costs at Centenary University ($11,692 vs. $12,552)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Centenary University than Norfolk State University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is 154.8% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($28,415 vs. $11,153)

Centenary University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Centenary University (929) is 121 points higher than at NSU (808)
  • Incoming Centenary University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at NSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman Centenary University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • Centenary University has a higher acceptance rate (96.7%) than NSU (87.5%)

Centenary University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Centenary University is higher than Norfolk State University (49% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Centenary University earn on average $12,900 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($49,600 vs. $36,700)
  • Centenary University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($25,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Centenary University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($263 vs. $320)
  • More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 27%)

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