2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
The Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 18 schools in New Jersey to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Camden County College the best value school in New Jersey for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Blackwood, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,132 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Camden County College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,744 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,672 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Camden County College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rowan College at Burlington County helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in New Jersey. Rowan College at Burlington County is a medium-sized public school located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey that handed out 1,619 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at RCBC are $6,828 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,402 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at RCBC. In 2020-2021 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 18 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s value ranking, Raritan Valley Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. RVCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Branchburg, New Jersey. It awarded 1,068 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
RVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,296 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,194 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that RVCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, RVCC is ranked #5 for overall quality in New Jersey.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Salem Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Carneys Point, New Jersey, the small public school awarded 212 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Salem County College are $9,600 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,695 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Salem County College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Thomas Edison State University is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Trenton, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 430 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at TESU are $9,556 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,208 in student loans.
TESU is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, TESU is ranked #4 for overall quality in New Jersey.
Middlesex County College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Edison, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,616 students in 2021-2022.
Middlesex County College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,876 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $9,350 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Middlesex County College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Middlesex County College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list.
Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. This medium-sized public school is located in Sewell, New Jersey, and it awarded 1,016 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RCSJ are $5,640 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,420 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that RCSJ does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus
Bergen Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Paramus, New Jersey, the fairly large public school awarded 2,011 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Bergen Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,822 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,518 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Bergen Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Union County College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Cranford, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,519 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Union County College are $10,562 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Union County College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Union County College also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list, coming in at #1.
County College of Morris came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Randolph, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,107 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at County College of Morris are $14,040 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,222 in loans while pursuing 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. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
County College of Morris not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list.
Brookdale Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Lincroft, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,611 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Brookdale Community College are $9,698 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,160 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Brookdale Community College. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Atlantic Cape Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Atlantic Cape Community College is located in Mays Landing, New Jersey and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 808 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Atlantic Cape Community College are $8,340 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,591 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Atlantic Cape Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Essex County College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Newark, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,102 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Essex are $9,141 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Essex does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 22% took at least some of their classes online.
Passaic County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Passaic County Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Paterson, New Jersey that handed out 554 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at PCCC are $9,390 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,578 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
PCCC 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
Hudson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Jersey City, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,186 students in 2021-2022.
HCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $11,798 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,945 in student loans.
HCCC 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. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Eastwick College - Nutley came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Nutley, New Jersey, the very small private for-profit school awarded 120 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastwick College - Nutley are $15,327 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,711 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Eastwick College - Nutley 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.
Eastwick College - Hackensack did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Hackensack, New Jersey is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 216 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastwick College - Hackensack are $17,424 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $22,483 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Since Eastwick College - Hackensack is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Berkeley College - Woodland Park did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. This small private for-profit school is located in Woodland Park, New Jersey, and it awarded 251 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Berkeley College - Woodland Park are $27,138 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,035 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Berkeley College - Woodland Park, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 18 schools only.
References
- 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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