2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in New Jersey ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Choosing the Best School for You
After analyzing 24 schools in New Jersey, we came up with our list of those that offered the best associate degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in New Jersey take out an average of $15,066.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
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Top Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
37
Associate Degrees Awarded
$57,048
Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,899
Average Student Debt
Rutgers University - New Brunswick tops this year’s ranking as the best school for associate degrees in New Jersey for overall quality. Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a large public school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 37 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $57,048 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $17,899 in student loans.
Read full report on Rutgers University - New Brunswick
2,272
Associate Degrees Awarded
$47,732
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,103
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at Bergen Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in New Jersey. Paramus, New Jersey is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,272 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Bergen Community College is $47,732 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,103 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $94.
Learn More About Bergen Community College
482
Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,354
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,544
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thomas Edison State University. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. TESU is located in Trenton, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 482 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from TESU is $45,354 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,544 in student loans.
Learn More About Thomas Edison State University
1,826
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,545
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,426
Average Student Debt
Out of the 24 associate degree schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, Middlesex County College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Edison, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,826 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $35,545 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,426 in student loans.
Learn More About Middlesex County College
1,053
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,750
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,465
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Essex County College. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Newark, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,053 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Essex make an average of $32,750 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,465.
Learn More About Essex County College
1,416
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,118
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,688
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #6, Rowan College at Burlington County did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. RCBC is a public institution located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,416 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from RCBC go into careers with an average salary of $43,118 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,688.
Full Rowan College at Burlington County Report
180
Associate Degrees Awarded
$44,909
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,828
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #7, Salem Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Salem County College is located in Carneys Point, New Jersey and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Salem County College make an average of $44,909 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $14,828.
Full Salem Community College Report
1,652
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,607
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,930
Average Student Debt
Union County College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Cranford, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,652 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Union County College make an average of $38,607 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,930 in student loans.
Read full report on Union County College
1,545
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,831
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,339
Average Student Debt
Ocean County College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Toms River, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,545 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,831 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,339 in student loans.
Learn More About Ocean County College
1,203
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,453
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,330
Average Student Debt
County College of Morris came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. County College of Morris is a medium-sized public school situated in Randolph, New Jersey. It awarded 1,203 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,453 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,330.
Learn More About County College of Morris
384
Associate Degrees Awarded
$30,672
Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,343
Average Student Debt
Berkeley College - Woodland Park did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #11. Berkeley College - Woodland Park is a small private for-profit school located in Woodland Park, New Jersey that handed out 384 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Berkeley College - Woodland Park make an average of $30,672 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $21,343 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $165.
Full Berkeley College - Woodland Park Report
63
Associate Degrees Awarded
$12,000
Average Student Debt
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Teaneck, New Jersey, and it awarded 63 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,000 in student loans.
Full Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Report
599
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,386
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,111
Average Student Debt
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Mays Landing, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 599 students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Atlantic Cape Community College go into careers with an average salary of $35,386 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $12,111.
Full Atlantic Cape Community College Report
1,160
Associate Degrees Awarded
$51,366
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,399
Average Student Debt
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Branchburg, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,160 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from RVCC make an average of $51,366 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,399.
Read full report on Raritan Valley Community College
14
Associate Degrees Awarded
With a ranking of #15, Saint Peter’s University did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Saint Peter’s University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Jersey City, New Jersey that handed out 14 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Learn More About Saint Peter’s University
515
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,021
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,124
Average Student Debt
Passaic County Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Passaic County Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Paterson, New Jersey that handed out 515 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from PCCC is $32,021 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,124.
Learn More About Passaic County Community College
1,230
Associate Degrees Awarded
$29,582
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,461
Average Student Debt
Camden County College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. This medium-sized public school is located in Blackwood, New Jersey, and it awarded 1,230 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $29,582 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,461 in student loans.
Learn More About Camden County College
1,703
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,016
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,936
Average Student Debt
Brookdale Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Brookdale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Lincroft, New Jersey that handed out 1,703 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Brookdale Community College make an average of $40,016 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,936 in student loans.
Read full report on Brookdale Community College
1,066
Associate Degrees Awarded
$29,989
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,534
Average Student Debt
Hudson County Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Jersey City, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,066 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from HCCC make an average of $29,989 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $10,534 after getting their degree.
Full Hudson County Community College Report
463
Associate Degrees Awarded
$27,140
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,460
Average Student Debt
Sussex County Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #20. Sussex County Community College is a small public school located in Newton, New Jersey that handed out 463 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Sussex County Community College make an average of $27,140 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $10,460 after getting their degree.
Full Sussex County Community College Report
1,105
Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,252
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,185
Average Student Debt
Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Sewell, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,105 students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from RCSJ go into careers with an average salary of $33,252 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,185 after getting their degree.
Full Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus Report
148
Associate Degrees Awarded
$18,823
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,156
Average Student Debt
Warren County Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #22. Warren County Community College is a small public school located in Washington, New Jersey that handed out 148 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Warren County Community College is $18,823 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,156 in student loans.
Read full report on Warren County Community College
99
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,177
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,687
Average Student Debt
Eastwick College - Nutley landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in Nutley, New Jersey, and it awarded 99 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Eastwick College - Nutley go into careers with an average salary of $32,177 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,687 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $77 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Learn More About Eastwick College - Nutley
97
Associate Degrees Awarded
$23,946
Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,727
Average Student Debt
Eastwick College - Hackensack landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Eastwick College - Hackensack is a private for-profit institution located in Hackensack, New Jersey. The school has a small population, and it awarded 97 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Eastwick College - Hackensack make an average of $23,946 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $21,727 in student loans.
Learn More About Eastwick College - Hackensack
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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