Social Work at Camden County College

Camden County College's Social Work associate's program ranks in just the 10th percentile among New Jersey schools—meaning 90% of comparable NJ programs produce better early earnings outcomes. First-year graduates earn $24,616, roughly $12,600 below what social work associate's degree holders make at the state median. The comparison with nearby Rowan College campuses is stark: their graduates start at $37,250, more than 50% higher. Even against weaker national competition, this program only reaches the 22nd percentile.

The bright spot is remarkably low debt—$9,219 is less than half the state median and puts graduates in a manageable position despite modest starting salaries. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 means loan payments should be workable. More encouraging is the 52% earnings jump to $37,396 by year four, suggesting graduates who stick with the field can reach respectable income levels.

The major caveat: these numbers come from a small sample of under 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. For families committed to social work and needing an affordable entry point, the low debt makes this viable. But if your child has admission options at Rowan College campuses, those programs deliver substantially better starting positions in the job market for similar debt levels.