Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Jersey College
Associate's Degree
jerseycollege.eduAnalysis
Jersey College's nursing program delivers strong earnings that outpace national averages, but comes with a significant premium that raises questions about value. Graduates earn nearly $80,000 in their first year—placing this program in the 90th percentile nationally and well above the national median of $68,409. However, at $37,010 in median debt, students pay nearly double what's typical for nursing programs nationally ($20,751) and in New Jersey ($21,000).
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means graduates carry manageable debt relative to their income, but the concern is stagnant wage growth—earnings actually decrease slightly from year one to year four. More troubling is the program's middling performance within New Jersey, ranking only in the 60th percentile among state nursing programs despite the premium cost. Several community colleges in the state achieve comparable or better earnings outcomes (Hudson County CC at $92,941, Ocean County at $82,925) likely with much lower debt burdens.
While nursing remains a solid career choice with strong starting salaries, this particular program appears overpriced for what it delivers. The high debt burden isn't justified by superior earnings growth or standout performance relative to New Jersey alternatives. Your child would likely achieve similar career outcomes at a fraction of the cost through a community college nursing program in the state.
Where Jersey College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Jersey College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey College | $79,852 | $79,614 | -0% |
| Eastern International College-Jersey City | $90,216 | $92,149 | +2% |
| Bergen Community College | $76,147 | $91,465 | +20% |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey | $82,581 | $89,387 | +8% |
| Essex County College | $70,500 | $88,050 | +25% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (23 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jersey CollegeTeterboro | — | $79,852 | $79,614 | $37,010 | 0.46 |
 Hudson County Community CollegeJersey City | $5,020 | $92,941 | $87,803 | $21,000 | 0.23 |
 Eastern International College-Jersey CityJersey City | $18,947 | $90,216 | $92,149 | $32,756 | 0.36 |
 Ocean County CollegeToms River | $4,690 | $82,925 | $73,281 | $22,418 | 0.27 |
 UCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyCranford | $5,280 | $82,581 | $89,387 | $30,195 | 0.37 |
 Raritan Valley Community CollegeBranchburg | $5,520 | $82,020 | $81,224 | $19,145 | 0.23 |
| National Median | — | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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 Jersey College, approximately 58% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 773 graduates with reported earnings and 1241 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.