Centenary University recognized as a ‘Top Performer in Social Mobility’ in U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges rankings
Rankings place Centenary among national and statewide leaders for advancing the careers and lives of first-generation students and those facing economic challenges.
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) — Centenary University was named a Top Performer in Social Mobility in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges listing, which was released Tuesday.
This designation places Centenary University among the nation’s best educational institutions for advancing the careers and lives of its graduates, especially first-generation students and those facing economic challenges.
In this year’s listing, Centenary is ranked ninth among Top Performers for Social Mobility among regional universities in the Northeast, moving up 14 spots from last year’s 23rd place ranking. Additionally, Centenary improved its position in the Regional Universities North category, advancing to 97th from last year’s 104th place ranking.
“I am extremely proud of the progress Centenary University has made in advancing our excellent reputation and the future of our students,” said Dale G. Caldwell, Ed.D., president of Centenary University. “When all is said and done, social mobility is the most important factor for students and their parents when considering college, especially for first-generation students and those who face significant life challenges.”
According to the U.S. News & World Report website, the publication’s social mobility ranking measures how well schools graduate large proportions of economically and educationally disadvantaged recipients of federal Pell Grants, the majority of which are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family income is under $50,000 annually.
The social mobility ranking specifically tracks each college’s success in graduating Pell Grant recipients and achieving equitable outcomes for students from underserved backgrounds.
In addition to generous aid packages, Centenary last year instituted a new approach to college admissions aimed at leveling the playing field for prospective students. Called Life Circumstances Admissions, this initiative allows the University’s admissions officers to consider the unique life experiences of applicants from all races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds when evaluating college applications.
“Instituting Life Circumstances Admissions and identifying new sources of scholarship funding for first-generation and economically challenged students have been two priorities for me since becoming Centenary’s president,” said Dr. Caldwell, who assumed his current role on July 1, 2023. “In the last year, we’ve created a number of new pathways for students of all economic backgrounds to earn a college education at Centenary. Our mission is clear: to create extraordinary opportunities for all students—including those facing significant life challenges—to grow intellectually, emotionally, and professionally.”
