Communication and Media Studies at County College of Morris

The first-year earnings figure here looks alarming—$15,905 puts this program in just the 5th percentile nationally—but that number tells an incomplete story. By year four, graduates earn $42,550, which represents a 168% jump and suggests many students are either working part-time initially or continuing their education before entering the workforce full-time. Within New Jersey, this program actually sits at the 40th percentile, meaning it performs closer to the state median ($18,694) than the national one, likely reflecting regional employment patterns for associate degree holders in media fields.

The $9,000 debt load is relatively manageable, coming in below both state and national medians. Once earnings stabilize by year four, that debt represents about 21% of annual income—a reasonable burden. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these outcomes could shift significantly with just a few data points, so don't treat these numbers as definitive.

For parents, the question is whether your student plans to transfer to a four-year program or enter the workforce directly. If they're using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree, the low debt and eventual earnings trajectory make sense. If they plan to stop at the associate level, understand that the first year or two after graduation will likely involve financial constraints while they establish themselves in the field.