Centenary University vs. Southwestern Adventist University

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

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Centenary University vs. Southwestern Adventist University comparison
Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University College 3 College 4
Centenary University
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Overview

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University
Location Hackettstown, NJ Keene, TX
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 1,498 793
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #722
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centenaryuniversity.edu swau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $34,890 $23,400
Tuition (Out of State) $34,890 $23,400
Room & Board $12,770 $8,600
Avg Net Price $21,935 $20,028
Avg Grant Aid $27,592 $13,959
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,330 1,438
Admitted 1,284 771
Acceptance Rate 96.5% 53.6%Open
Enrolled % 15.1% 16.9%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/22 17/24
SAT Range 990/1170 900/1180
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 1, 2025

Academics

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Health Professions (29%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University
Graduation Rate 49% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,600 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $268

Diversity

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University
% Men 33% 41%
% Women 67% 59%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 21%
% Black 11% 14%
% Hispanic 11% 41%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 4% 14%
% Unknown Race 17% 2%

Students

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist University
% In-State 78% 85%
% Out-of-State 22% 13%

Campus

Centenary University Southwestern Adventist 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

  • Centenary University is larger than than Southwestern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (1,498 students vs. 793 students)

Centenary University vs. Southwestern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary University or Southwestern Adventist University?

  • Centenary University is 49.1% more expensive to attend than Southwestern Adventist University for in-state tuition ($34,890.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.1% higher at Centenary University than Southwestern Adventist University ($34,890.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwestern Adventist University than Centenary University ($20,028 vs. $21,935)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Adventist University are 48.5% lower than costs at Centenary University ($8,600 vs. $12,770)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Centenary University than Southwestern Adventist University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is 97.7% larger than aid received Southwestern Adventist University ($27,592 vs. $13,959)

Centenary University vs. Southwestern Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Centenary University (929) is 25 points higher than at Southwestern Adventist University (904)
  • Incoming Centenary University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Southwestern Adventist University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Southwestern Adventist University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Centenary University (3.23)
  • Centenary University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Southwestern Adventist University (53.6%)

Centenary University vs. Southwestern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Centenary University or Southwestern Adventist 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 Southwestern Adventist University and Centenary University.

  • The graduation rate at Centenary University is higher than Southwestern Adventist University (49% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Centenary University earn on average $7,000 more per year than Southwestern Adventist University graduates after ten years. ($49,600 vs. $42,600)
  • Centenary University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwestern Adventist University graduates. ($25,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Centenary University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Southwestern Adventist University graduates. ($263 vs. $268)
  • More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 49%)

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