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Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

18 Schools Ranked
$10,767 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$14,340 Avg Student Debt*

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.

Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Camden County College

Blackwood, New Jersey
1,132 Total Awards
$3,744 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Camden County College the best value school in New Jersey for trade school students working on their associate degree. Camden County College is a public institution located in Blackwood, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,132 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Camden County College are $3,744 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,672 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Camden County College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.

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#2

Rowan College at Burlington County

Mount Laurel, New Jersey
1,619 Total Awards
$6,828 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Rowan College at Burlington County is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. RCBC is a public institution located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,619 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RCBC are $6,828 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,402 in student loans.

RCBC 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 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Rowan College at Burlington County

#3

Raritan Valley Community College

Branchburg, New Jersey
1,068 Total Awards
$7,296 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Raritan Valley Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Branchburg, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,068 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RVCC are $7,296 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,194 in student loans.

Online courses are available at RVCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 32% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

RVCC also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list, coming in at #5.

Full Raritan Valley Community College Report

#4

Salem Community College

Carneys Point, New Jersey
212 Total Awards
$9,600 Average Tuition & Fees

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. Carneys Point, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 212 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Salem County College are $9,600 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,695 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Salem County College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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#5

Thomas Edison State University

Trenton, New Jersey
430 Total Awards
$9,556 Average Tuition & Fees

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. TESU is a public institution located in Trenton, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 430 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

TESU undergraduate students pay an average of $9,556 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,208 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out TESU. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

TESU also took the #4 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey rankings.

Read full report on Thomas Edison State University

#6

Middlesex County College

Edison, New Jersey
1,616 Total Awards
$6,876 Average Tuition & Fees

Middlesex County College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Middlesex County College is a medium-sized public school located in Edison, New Jersey that handed out 1,616 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Middlesex County College are $6,876 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,350 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Middlesex County College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Middlesex County College is ranked #3 for overall quality in New Jersey.

Read More…

1,016 Total Awards
$5,640 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Sewell, New Jersey, and it awarded 1,016 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

RCSJ undergraduate students pay an average of $5,640 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,420 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at RCSJ. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#8

Bergen Community College

Paramus, New Jersey
2,011 Total Awards
$8,822 Average Tuition & Fees

Bergen Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Paramus, New Jersey, the fairly large public school awarded 2,011 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bergen Community College are $8,822 a 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 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, 87% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#9

Union County College

Cranford, New Jersey
1,519 Total Awards
$10,562 Average Tuition & Fees

Union County College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Cranford, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,519 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Union County College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,562 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,937 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Union County College. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Union County College also took the #1 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey rankings.

Full Union County College Report

#10

County College of Morris

Randolph, New Jersey
1,107 Total Awards
$14,040 Average Tuition & Fees

County College of Morris 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 #10 on the list. County College of Morris is located in Randolph, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,107 associate degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at County College of Morris are $14,040 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,222 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since County College of Morris does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

County College of Morris also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey rankings.

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#11

Brookdale Community College

Lincroft, New Jersey
1,611 Total Awards
$9,698 Average Tuition & Fees

Brookdale 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 #11 on the list. Brookdale Community College is a public institution located in Lincroft, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,611 associate degrees 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.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Brookdale Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 32% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#12

Atlantic Cape Community College

Mays Landing, New Jersey
808 Total Awards
$8,340 Average Tuition & Fees

Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Mays Landing, New Jersey, the small public school awarded 808 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Atlantic Cape Community College are $8,340 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,591 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Atlantic Cape Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Atlantic Cape Community College

#13

Essex County College

Newark, New Jersey
1,102 Total Awards
$9,141 Average Tuition & Fees

Essex County College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Essex County College is a medium-sized public school located in Newark, New Jersey that handed out 1,102 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Essex are $9,141 per year.

Essex does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 22% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#14

Passaic County Community College

Paterson, New Jersey
554 Total Awards
$9,390 Average Tuition & Fees

Passaic County Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. PCCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Paterson, New Jersey. It awarded 554 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at PCCC are $9,390 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,578 in loans while pursuing their degree.

PCCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Passaic County Community College

#15

Hudson County Community College

Jersey City, New Jersey
1,186 Total Awards
$11,798 Average Tuition & Fees

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. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,186 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at HCCC are $11,798 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,945 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at HCCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#16

Eastwick College - Nutley

Nutley, New Jersey
120 Total Awards
$15,327 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastwick College - Nutley ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Eastwick College - Nutley is a private for-profit institution located in Nutley, New Jersey. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 120 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastwick College - Nutley are $15,327 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,711 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Eastwick College - Nutley does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Eastwick College - Nutley Report

#17

Eastwick College - Hackensack

Hackensack, New Jersey
216 Total Awards
$17,424 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastwick College - Hackensack came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Eastwick College - Hackensack is located in Hackensack, New Jersey and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 216 associate degrees to qualified students.

Eastwick College - Hackensack undergraduate students pay an average of $17,424 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,483 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, Eastwick College - Hackensack is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Full Eastwick College - Hackensack Report

#18

Berkeley College - Woodland Park

Woodland Park, New Jersey
251 Total Awards
$27,138 Average Tuition & Fees

Berkeley College - Woodland Park came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Woodland Park, New Jersey, the small private for-profit school handed out 251 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Berkeley College - Woodland Park are $27,138 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,035 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Berkeley College - Woodland Park. In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Berkeley College - Woodland Park

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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