At $7,054/yr net price, Sussex County Community College graduates earn $44,664/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,664/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,054 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $28,216 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,664/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,664/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,235/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,286/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,334/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,172/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,460/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $32,925 | $8,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $22,192 | $11,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,094 | $11,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $13,239 |
The Risk Factor
44.3% of students at Sussex County Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Sussex County Community College delivers solid financial returns for a two-year institution, with graduates earning a median of $44,664 annually at a bargain-basement cost of $7,054 per year. Your debt load stays manageable at $11,000, making this one of the more affordable pathways to career advancement in northern New Jersey.
The earnings picture varies dramatically by program. Criminal Justice graduates earn $32,925 with lower debt of $8,250, making it the clear financial winner. Business Administration and Liberal Arts both generate around $22,000 annually, which covers your debt payments but leaves limited room for financial growth. Design and Applied Arts produces concerning returns at just $13,239, barely above minimum wage despite similar debt loads.
Your biggest risk lies in the 44% graduation rate. More than half of students leave without completing their programs, wasting time and money. The college serves a regional job market centered on small business, healthcare support, and public safety, which limits high-paying opportunities but provides steady employment.
Sussex County makes financial sense if you need affordable career training in practical fields like criminal justice or nursing prerequisites. The low net price means you can graduate with minimal debt even if you work part-time. However, you should look elsewhere if you want significant earning potential or plan to transfer to a four-year university, as the academic preparation and transfer rates lag behind state averages.
Financial aid reaches only 35% of students, so most families pay the full sticker price. Merit scholarships exist but remain limited compared to four-year institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sussex County Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $7,054 per year and graduates earning $44,664 after 10 years, Sussex County Community College offers reasonable value for a two-year degree. However, the 44% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What programs at Sussex County Community College have the best ROI?
Criminal Justice graduates earn the highest at $32,925 annually, while Design and Applied Arts graduates earn only $13,239. Business and Liberal Arts programs both pay around $22,000, which is modest for the investment.
How much debt do Sussex County Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $11,000, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. This low debt load helps offset the relatively modest starting salaries for most programs.
Should I choose Sussex County Community College over a four-year school?
Sussex County Community College makes sense if you want to minimize debt and enter the workforce quickly, especially for Criminal Justice careers. For higher-paying fields, you'll likely need to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree.