2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in New Jersey to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rutgers University - New Brunswick the best school in New Jersey for students working on their associate degree.
Students from New Jersey who attend Rutgers New Brunswick full time pay an average of $15,804 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $33,005. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,147 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Rutgers New Brunswick does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 37% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 23 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, Thomas Edison State University landed the # 2 spot on the list.
Associate Degree recipients from TESU accumulate an average of $14,858 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
TESU is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Out of the 23 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, Rider University landed the # 3 spot on the list.
The average tuition and fees at Rider is $35,850. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rider. During the 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middlesex County College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.
If you want to attend Middlesex County College, expect to pay an average of $7,992 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $12,313 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Middlesex County College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Berkeley College - Woodland Park helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in New Jersey.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $26,085 to cover tuition and fees at Berkeley College - Woodland Park. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Berkeley College - Woodland Park accumulate an average of $22,703 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Berkeley College - Woodland Park. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Bergen Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking.
Full-time students from New Jersey pay an average of $8,281 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bergen Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,659. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,236 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bergen Community College. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
The average tuition and fees at FDU is $38,074. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $19,463 in loans while pursuing their degree.
FDU is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Essex County College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list.
Essex does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $8,966. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Essex accumulate an average of $11,116 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Essex does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 28% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Ocean County College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list.
On average, associate degree students take out $15,414 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at OCC. In 2019-2020 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #10, Union County College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Associate Degree recipients from Union County College accumulate an average of $15,511 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Union County College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Salem Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking.
Associate Degree recipients from Salem County College accumulate an average of $17,461 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Salem County College. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
County College of Morris ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.
In-state students pay an average of $9,840 in tuition and fees if they attend County College of Morris full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,620. Associate Degree recipients from County College of Morris accumulate an average of $10,920 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
County College of Morris does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Eastwick College - Nutley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list.
The average tuition and fees at Eastwick College - Nutley is $15,327. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $19,938 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Eastwick College - Nutley. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Rowan College at Burlington County came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking.
Students from New Jersey who attend RCBC full time pay an average of $5,159 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,901. On average, associate degree students take out $16,122 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at RCBC. In 2019-2020 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.
The average tuition and fees at RVCC is $6,912. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,255 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at RVCC. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Atlantic Cape Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Atlantic Cape Community College is $6,840. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,340. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,077 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Atlantic Cape Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Camden County College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking.
If you want to attend Camden County College, expect to pay an average of $3,744 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $14,871 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Camden County College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Sussex County Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Sussex County Community College is $7,080. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,760. On average, associate degree students take out $11,986 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Sussex County Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Brookdale Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.
Students from New Jersey who attend Brookdale Community College full time pay an average of $8,804 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,554. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,007 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Brookdale Community College. In 2019-2020 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
If you want to attend RCSJ, expect to pay an average of $5,550 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,568 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that RCSJ does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Eastwick College - Hackensack landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
If you want to attend Eastwick College - Hackensack, expect to pay an average of $17,424 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Eastwick College - Hackensack does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 32% took at least some of their classes online.
Passaic County Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $7,350 in tuition and fees if they attend PCCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,390. Associate Degree recipients from PCCC accumulate an average of $13,211 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at PCCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 26% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #23, Hudson County Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from New Jersey pay an average of $8,390 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend HCCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,798. Associate Degree recipients from HCCC accumulate an average of $13,191 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at HCCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 2% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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