At $8,502/yr net price, Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn $34,241/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $241/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,502 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $34,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,241/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$241/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 141.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,752/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,613/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,914/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,990/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,595/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $58,673 | $15,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $28,236 | $11,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $22,578 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,455 | $8,800 |
The Risk Factor
24.9% of students at Atlantic Cape Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return at Atlantic Cape Community College depends almost entirely on which program you finish. The median graduate earns $34,241 a decade out, which sits close to what a New Jersey worker without any degree can make. That is a weak overall number, and the 24.9% graduation rate is the reason to worry most: three out of four students who start here do not finish, and the debt you carry means little if you leave without the credential.
Nursing is the clear payoff. It pays more than double what the culinary program returns and roughly triple the criminal justice associate. If you can get into and complete the nursing track, the $15,000 in debt is manageable against a $58,673 salary. Culinary arts, criminal justice, and the general liberal arts track all land below the median earnings line, and liberal arts in particular functions as a transfer stepping stone. Stopping there leaves you around $19,000 a year, which does not justify borrowing.
The main risk here is dropping out. Low completion plus modest earnings means the school works only if you pick a career-linked program and actually finish it. Enrolling in a general studies track without a transfer plan is the path to a bad outcome.
Net price barely moves for families under $48k, sitting near $7,600. It nearly doubles once household income passes $75k and climbs higher above $110k. If your family earns under $48k and you commit to nursing, this is a low-cost route into a solid-paying job. If you are aiming for culinary or criminal justice, or you are unsure you will finish, the return does not support the cost, and a direct four-year path or a clearer vocational program elsewhere is the better financial bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atlantic Cape Community College worth the money?
Atlantic Cape Community College offers reasonable value for nursing students, who earn $58,673 after graduation, but other programs show poor returns. The low graduation rate of 25% means most students don't finish their programs.
What programs at Atlantic Cape Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Atlantic Cape Community College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning $58,673 annually. Other programs like criminal justice ($22,578) and liberal arts ($19,455) offer limited earning potential relative to the time invested.
How much debt do Atlantic Cape Community College graduates have?
Atlantic Cape Community College graduates typically leave with $9,500 in debt, which is manageable for nursing graduates but represents a significant burden for those in lower-paying fields. The annual net price of $8,502 keeps total costs relatively low.
Do Atlantic Cape Community College graduates get good jobs?
Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn $34,241 on average ten years after enrollment, which is below typical community college outcomes. Only nursing graduates see strong job prospects, while other program graduates face limited career advancement opportunities.