Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Eastwick College-Nutley

Eastwick College-Nutley's networking program graduates earn just $30,784 in their first year—about $7,000 below the New Jersey median and nearly $13,000 below the national benchmark. While that places it in the bottom quarter of similar programs statewide, the moderate debt load of $17,728 keeps the financial burden somewhat manageable at a 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio. Compare this to DeVry's New Jersey campus, where the same degree leads to earnings above $44,000—a 45% premium that could mean an extra $14,000 annually.

The gap becomes particularly striking given that both schools serve similar populations (Eastwick enrolls 64% Pell-eligible students), yet produce vastly different outcomes. In a field where associate's degrees typically command solid middle-class wages—the national median is $43,276—these earnings barely clear $30,000. For families weighing this investment, the question isn't just affordability but opportunity cost: two years of education should position graduates for stronger entry points into the IT job market.

The debt itself won't cripple most graduates, but the earnings trajectory matters more. If your child is set on this field, exploring higher-performing programs within commuting distance makes financial sense. The difference between bottom-quartile and top-tier outcomes in New Jersey networking programs represents real money—enough to justify a harder look at alternatives before committing.