At $10,576/yr net price, Ocean County College graduates earn $45,210/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,210/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,576 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,304 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,210/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,210/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,150 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,184/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,398/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,121/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,818/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,019/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 | $62,856 | $18,843 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $25,484 | $10,980 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,440 | $11,000 |
The Risk Factor
39.1% of students at Ocean County 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
Ocean County College gives you a low-cost entry point with a mixed payoff. At $10,576 a year and typical debt around $11,150, you graduate owing less than one year's net price. Median earnings ten years out land near $45,210, which covers that debt comfortably but leaves you in modest-income territory for New Jersey.
The program you pick decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner: it pays roughly $62,856 and stands more than $37,000 above the next associate program on this list. That gap alone should shape your decision. The debt for nursing runs higher, near $18,843, but the earnings justify it.
The Liberal Arts and Criminal Justice associate degrees are a different story. Both pay in the low $20,000s a decade out, below what a full-time year at many jobs would earn without any degree. If you stop at one of these two-year credentials and enter the workforce, the financial return is weak. Treat them as a transfer step toward a bachelor's, not an endpoint.
The biggest risk is the 39% graduation rate. Six in ten of you don't finish, and unfinished credits still cost money and often come with loans. Borrow for a program you'll complete, or the math turns against you fast.
Net price barely moves across income levels. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay a little over $9,000. above $110,000, closer to $16,000. Lower-income families get a real discount, but no tier here faces a punishing sticker price.
This school fits you if you're headed into nursing or using it as a cheap launch toward a four-year degree elsewhere. If you want a terminal associate degree in liberal arts or criminal justice and expect strong pay, look at the earnings first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ocean County College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Ocean County College costs $10,576 per year and graduates earn $45,210 after 10 years, making it a reasonable value for a community college. However, the 39% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
Which Ocean County College programs have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Ocean County College lead to median earnings of $62,856, making them the clear financial winner. Criminal justice graduates earn $25,484 and liberal arts graduates earn $23,440, both below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Ocean County College students graduate with?
Ocean County College graduates have a median debt of $11,150, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset the modest earnings for most programs.
Does Ocean County College prepare students for good-paying careers?
Ocean County College works well for nursing students who earn above-average salaries. For other programs, graduates typically earn in the $23,000-$25,000 range, which may not justify even the low cost depending on your career goals.