Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Centenary University

With teaching programs in New Jersey, starting salary expectations cluster fairly tightly, and Centenary's estimated outcome of around $51,500 sits right at the state median. That's above the national typical earnings for this degree by about $8,000—a meaningful regional advantage that reflects New Jersey's higher teacher salaries. The estimated $27,000 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, which is manageable for an education degree and similar to what other New Jersey teaching programs produce.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Since Centenary's actual graduate outcomes aren't reported due to small cohort sizes, these figures are drawn from peer programs statewide. The range among New Jersey schools with reported data is notable—from about $46,000 to nearly $59,000—suggesting that individual school characteristics, alumni networks, and hiring district relationships matter considerably. Centenary's 97% admission rate and significant Pell grant population (38%) indicate it serves a different student profile than some higher-performing competitors.

For parents, this means weighing affordability against unknowns. If your child secures a teaching position in a well-paying New Jersey district, the debt burden should be reasonable. But with no track record data specific to Centenary, you're essentially betting on the broader New Jersey teaching market rather than this school's particular placement success. If other state teaching programs are accessible and offer documented outcomes, those might provide more certainty for your investment.