Social Work (Associate's Degree) at Hudson County Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,250

Est. from NJ median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$14,131

Est. from NJ median (4 programs)

Analysis

In New Jersey, social work associate degree programs appear to cluster around $37,250 in first-year earnings based on the handful that report data, and that's the benchmark Hudson County Community College's outcomes are estimated against. The estimated debt load of roughly $14,000 creates a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a population for whom accessible entry into helping professions matters significantly.

What's reassuring here is that peer programs in New Jersey consistently outpace the national median of $29,768 for social work associate degrees, suggesting the state's social services sector may offer stronger wage floors than elsewhere. The debt estimate also sits well below the national median of $17,033. However, it's worth noting that one comparable program (Camden County College) reports substantially lower earnings at $24,616, highlighting real variation even within the state.

For parents considering this path, the numbers suggest a practical stepping stone rather than a financial trap. The estimated debt burden wouldn't require heroic repayment efforts on typical social work salaries, and an associate degree can lead to direct service positions or serve as a foundation for bachelor's-level work. Just recognize you're basing this decision on what similar New Jersey programs have produced, not Hudson County's specific track record.

Where Hudson County Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social work associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey

Social Work associates's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (9 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Hudson County Community CollegeJersey City	$5,020	$37,250*	—	$14,131*	—
Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland CampusVineland	$4,980	$37,250*	$41,408	$15,803*	0.42
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester CampusSewell	$4,980	$37,250*	$41,408	$15,803*	0.42
Camden County CollegeBlackwood	$3,960	$24,616*	$37,396	$9,219*	0.37
National Median	—	$29,768*	—	$17,033*	0.57

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social work graduates

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

$78,240/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

$64,520/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

$63,780/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Social Workers, All Other

All social workers not listed separately.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Counselors, All Other

All counselors not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Hudson County Community College, approximately 56% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in NJ. Actual outcomes may vary.