Centenary University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Centenary University charges a net price of $20,503/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $82,012. Graduates earn a median $53,726 ten years after entry, $5,366/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 15.3 years — a 20-year net return of $25,308, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Centenary University's 15.3-year payback ranks #971 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 24% of them, and #28 of 78 in New Jersey.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,503/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $82,012 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $53,726 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,366/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,163 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 15.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $25,308 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Centenary University's own numbers. Net price $20,503 × 4 years = $82,012 total. Median earnings $53,726 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,366 a year of premium. $82,012 ÷ $5,366 = 15.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $25,308. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Centenary University students graduate with?
A median $23,163 in federal loans among completers, or 43% of the $53,726 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Centenary University students graduate?
56% finish their degree — 44% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $82,012 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $146,450 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Centenary University expensive compared with other New Jersey colleges?
Its $20,503 net price runs $86 above the $20,418 median across the 78 New Jersey colleges we profile, or $342 more across the full degree.