About Passaic County Community College
Passaic County Community College serves one of New Jersey's most diverse urban communities with practical career training and transfer pathways. The school enrolls 4,546 students in a large suburban setting, drawing heavily from Paterson's Latino population. Hispanic students make up 64% of enrollment, reflecting the college's deep ties to the local community. The Panthers focus on workforce development and preparing students for four-year universities.
Students pay an average net price of $7,857 after financial aid, with 53% receiving Pell Grants. In-state tuition runs $5,580, making this an affordable option for local families. Graduates earn a median of $36,972 ten years after enrollment, while carrying relatively modest debt loads of $7,536. Monthly loan payments average just $80, suggesting manageable financial burdens for most students.
The college operates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, providing more personalized attention than many larger institutions. Women outnumber men at 61% of enrollment. Nearly all students come from New Jersey, with 99.7% holding in-state status. The 15% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and education, though 84% of graduates find employment.
Students pay an average net price of $7,857 after financial aid, with 53% receiving Pell Grants. In-state tuition runs $5,580, making this an affordable option for local families. Graduates earn a median of $36,972 ten years after enrollment, while carrying relatively modest debt loads of $7,536. Monthly loan payments average just $80, suggesting manageable financial burdens for most students.
The college operates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, providing more personalized attention than many larger institutions. Women outnumber men at 61% of enrollment. Nearly all students come from New Jersey, with 99.7% holding in-state status. The 15% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and education, though 84% of graduates find employment.
Academics & Faculty
Passaic County Community College serves as an affordable gateway to higher education for the diverse Paterson area, with 64% of students identifying as Hispanic. The college offers both career-focused programs and transfer pathways to four-year universities. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, students get reasonable access to instructors despite the school's size of 4,546 students. However, the 15% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face with work and family obligations. The school particularly emphasizes practical training in healthcare, business, and technical fields that prepare graduates for the local job market. Nearly all students are New Jersey residents who benefit from the $5,580 in-state tuition rate.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 15.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,972
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $73,949 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,771 |
| Social Work. | Associate | $30,228 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $30,228 |
| Graphic Communications. | Associate | $25,194 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $22,999 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,329 |
Campus Life
Passaic County Community College draws 4,546 students to its suburban Paterson campus, just 20 miles west of Manhattan. The heavily commuter-focused college serves one of New Jersey's most diverse cities, with 64% Hispanic enrollment reflecting the local community. You'll need winter coats for snowy January mornings and light jackets for mild spring semesters in this temperate climate.
With 99.74% in-state students and no on-campus housing, weekends typically mean heading home or staying local in Paterson. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class sizes where professors know your name. Many students work while taking classes, balancing career preparation with family responsibilities. The college's four varsity sports teams compete as the Panthers, though athletics involves just 46 students total. Most social connections happen between classes or in study groups, as students focus on completing associate degrees or preparing to transfer to four-year universities. The campus culture emphasizes practical education and community ties rather than traditional college social life.
With 99.74% in-state students and no on-campus housing, weekends typically mean heading home or staying local in Paterson. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class sizes where professors know your name. Many students work while taking classes, balancing career preparation with family responsibilities. The college's four varsity sports teams compete as the Panthers, though athletics involves just 46 students total. Most social connections happen between classes or in study groups, as students focus on completing associate degrees or preparing to transfer to four-year universities. The campus culture emphasizes practical education and community ties rather than traditional college social life.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1971
Campus Safety (2023)
4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Stalking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 21°–39°F
- July Avg
- 65°–86°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.4"
- Annual Snowfall
- 28.2"
Student Demographics
Nearly two-thirds of students are Hispanic, reflecting Passaic County Community College's deep roots in Paterson's Latino community. The school draws 99.74% of students from New Jersey. Women make up 61% of enrollment, typical for community colleges where nursing and healthcare programs attract many female students. More than half receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking affordable pathways to careers or four-year transfers. The diverse student body mirrors Paterson itself, where the college has built strong community partnerships since 1971.
- Men
- 39.0%
- Women
- 61.0%
- White
- 14.0%
- Black
- 10.5%
- Hispanic
- 64.3%
- Asian
- 5.4%
- In-State Students
- 99.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 52.8%
Location
Passaic County Community College sits in Paterson, New Jersey, about 20 miles west of Manhattan. The campus serves New Jersey's third-largest city, a diverse urban center in the heart of Passaic County. Paterson carries deep industrial history as the birthplace of America's textile industry, with the Great Falls National Historical Park marking where Alexander Hamilton envisioned the nation's first planned industrial city. The college draws 99.74% of its students from within New Jersey, reflecting its role as a local community anchor. Hispanic students make up 64.32% of enrollment, mirroring Paterson's active Latino community. Students considering colleges in New Jersey may also compare Passaic County Community College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Paterson, New Jersey 07505-1179
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,972
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $46,396
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $25,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 42.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $80/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $7,536
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements at Passaic County Community College?
Passaic County Community College has an open admission policy typical of community colleges. Nearly 100% of students are from New Jersey, reflecting the school's mission to serve the local Paterson area with accessible higher education.
How much does Passaic County Community College cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $7,857, making it one of the most affordable options in New Jersey. Over 52% of students receive Pell Grants, and graduates typically have only $7,536 in debt with monthly payments around $80.
What academic programs is Passaic County Community College known for?
The college serves a diverse student body that is 64% Hispanic with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. It focuses on career training and transfer programs designed to meet the workforce needs of the greater Paterson community.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Passaic County Community College?
Graduates have an 84.3% employment rate with median earnings of $36,972 after 10 years. The college's emphasis on practical career training helps students enter the workforce quickly in the diverse New Jersey economy.
Where is Passaic County Community College located and what is campus life like?
The college sits in Paterson, New Jersey, serving 4,546 students in a large suburban setting. With only 46 total athletes across 4 varsity sports, the Panthers focus more on academics than athletics.
Does Passaic County Community College have a good graduation rate?
The 6-year graduation rate is 15.20%, which reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family responsibilities. However, the loan repayment rate of 42% shows graduates can manage their modest debt loads effectively.
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