Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Hudson County Community College

Hudson County Community College's health sciences program serves a predominantly working-class student body (56% receive Pell grants) and produces graduates who earn slightly above both the state and national medians—landing in the 60th percentile among New Jersey programs. While $34,545 might not sound impressive in a high-cost state like New Jersey, it's actually competitive for an associate-level health program. The $10,587 debt load is manageable at roughly 31 cents per dollar earned, though it's higher than many similar programs nationally.

The small sample size here is genuinely important to consider. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of particularly successful or struggling individuals could skew these numbers considerably. That said, the modest 5% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are finding stable healthcare support roles rather than rapidly advancing careers. Compare this to top performers like Union College ($41,512) or Berkeley College ($39,059), and you'll see Hudson County leaves some earnings potential on the table.

For families prioritizing affordability and local access to healthcare careers, this program offers a reasonable entry point without overwhelming debt. Just recognize you're looking at the middle of the pack in New Jersey—solid, but not exceptional—and the small graduate cohort means your child's individual effort and networking will matter more than usual.