Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians at Camden County College

Camden County College's veterinary tech program produces solid first-year earnings of $37,346—above the national median for this field—though it trails Bergen Community College's $41,150 within New Jersey. The debt picture looks manageable: based on national patterns for similar programs, graduates likely carry around $16,500, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. That means borrowers could theoretically pay off their loans with roughly five months of gross income, well below the threshold where debt becomes burdensome.

The concern is income trajectory. Earnings climb modestly to $41,022 by year four, just 10% growth over three years. Veterinary technicians often face wage compression regardless of experience, and these numbers suggest Camden County graduates encounter that reality. The program ranks at the 40th percentile among New Jersey programs, meaning most peer schools produce better earnings outcomes—though with only two programs reporting in the state, that comparison has limited meaning.

For families where $16,500 in loans is feasible and a student is committed to animal care, this program offers a reasonable entry point. The debt load won't crush graduates, and first-year earnings exceed national norms. Just understand you're investing in a vocation with modest pay growth, not a pathway to substantial income increases.