Salem State University vs. Centenary University

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

Salem State University Centenary University
Location Salem, MA Hackettstown, NJ
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,239 1,453
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #783 #676
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu centenaryuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Centenary University
Tuition (In State) $910 $36,636
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $36,636
Room & Board $16,378 $12,552
Avg Net Price $19,324 $22,838
Avg Grant Aid $8,241 $28,415
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Salem State University Centenary University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,852 1,294
Admitted 4,637 1,251
Acceptance Rate 95.6% 96.7%
Enrolled % 17.5% 14.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.23
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/22
SAT Range 990/1160 990/1170
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 Jun 1, 2026

Academics

Salem State University Centenary University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Centenary University
Graduation Rate 42% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $49,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $248 $263

Diversity

Salem State University Centenary University
% Men 5% 8%
% Women 17% 27%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 55%
% Black 9% 11%
% Hispanic 12% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 17%

Students

Salem State University Centenary University
% In-State 90% 78%
% Out-of-State 8% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Salem State University is larger than than Centenary University based on total student enrollment (6,239 students vs. 1,453 students)

Salem State University vs. Centenary University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Centenary University?

  • Centenary University is 3,925.9% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($36,636.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 419.7% higher at Centenary University than Salem State University ($36,636.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem State University than Centenary University ($19,324 vs. $22,838)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centenary University are 30.5% lower than costs at Salem State University ($12,552 vs. $16,378)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Centenary University than Salem State University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is 244.8% larger than aid received Salem State University ($28,415 vs. $8,241)

Salem State University vs. Centenary University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Centenary University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Centenary University has a higher acceptance rate (96.7%) than Salem State University (95.6%)

Salem State University vs. Centenary University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or Centenary 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 Centenary University and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Centenary University is higher than Salem State University (49% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Centenary University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($49,600 vs. $44,400)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Centenary University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $25,500)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Centenary University graduates. ($248 vs. $263)
  • More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 63%)

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