At $5,902/yr net price, Hudson County Community College graduates earn $34,333/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $333/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,902 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,333/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$333/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 70.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,536/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,638/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,586/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,403/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,740/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 | $68,858 | $18,325 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Associate | $31,314 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $25,967 | $11,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,096 | $8,096 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Associate | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
22.8% of students at Hudson County 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
Hudson County Community College costs little and carries little debt, but the payoff depends almost entirely on your major. The typical graduate earns barely above what a full-time minimum-wage job pays in New Jersey, and fewer than a quarter of students finish within the standard window. That combination is the core risk here: cheap to start, but only worth it if you graduate and pick the right program.
Nursing is the one clear win. Its associate graduates out-earn every other program on this list by more than double, enough to justify the higher debt that comes with it. Health Services and allied health land in the low $30k range, respectable for a two-year credential in the Jersey City job market. Everything else is weak. Culinary Arts, Liberal Arts, and Fine and Studio Arts all leave you earning in the low-to-mid $20k range, and the arts programs give you almost nothing to build a career on directly. If you enroll in those, treat them as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not an endpoint.
The pricing is close to flat across income. Families earning over $110k pay only a few thousand more per year than the lowest bracket, so this is an affordable option no matter your income, and a genuinely cheap one if you qualify for aid. The bigger financial threat isn't price. It's the 22.8% graduation rate. If you don't finish, you carry debt and lose earning years with no credential to show for it.
This school fits you if you're heading into nursing or health sciences, or using it as a low-cost transfer bridge with a firm plan to move on. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal degree in culinary or the arts expecting it to pay the bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hudson County Community College worth the money?
Hudson County Community College offers good value for nursing students who can expect $68,858 median earnings, but most other programs lead to below-average pay at $24,000-31,000. The low $5,902 annual cost helps offset weak earning potential for non-healthcare majors.
What is the job outlook for Hudson County Community College graduates?
Only 23% of students graduate within three years, which creates significant risk of attending without earning a degree. Nursing graduates do well financially, but other programs often lead to earnings below $30,000 annually.
How much debt do Hudson County Community College students graduate with?
Students typically graduate with $10,500 in debt, which is manageable for nursing majors earning $68,858 but represents a poor return for liberal arts or fine arts graduates earning around $20,000-24,000.
Which programs at Hudson County Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs provide the strongest return on investment with median earnings of $68,858, while culinary arts, liberal arts, and fine arts programs typically lead to earnings below $26,000. Healthcare tracks are the clear winners financially.