Culinary Arts at Eastwick College-Hackensack

Eastwick College-Hackensack's culinary program produces earnings that match New Jersey's median at $29,123—respectable for the field—but the debt burden tells a more complicated story. At $22,522, graduates carry nearly $10,000 more debt than the typical New Jersey culinary student ($12,900). While the small sample size means these figures could shift with more data, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 suggests graduates will spend roughly nine months of their first year's income just paying down what they borrowed for this degree.

The earnings performance is genuinely competitive: ranking in the 81st percentile nationally puts this program well above most culinary schools across the country. However, in New Jersey specifically, it sits at the 60th percentile—solid middle ground, with programs like Atlantic Cape Community College nearby delivering $2,500 more in first-year earnings. Given that three-quarters of students here receive Pell grants, the higher debt load matters significantly for families without financial cushions.

For parents considering this program, the central question is whether the convenience or specific training approach justifies borrowing nearly twice the state norm. Community college alternatives in New Jersey offer similar or better earnings outcomes with substantially less debt, which could mean the difference between manageable payments and years of financial strain in an industry known for tight margins and demanding hours.