Education at Middlesex College

At $16,846 in first-year earnings, Middlesex College's associate's in Education falls well below the national median of $24,193 for this degree—ranking in just the 17th percentile nationally. Within New Jersey, where the state median sits at $18,002, this program performs closer to the middle at the 40th percentile, though it still trails nearby Brookdale Community College by about $2,300. The relatively low debt of $7,000 is one bright spot, representing less than half a year's earnings, but it doesn't fully offset the earning power concerns.

The core issue here is whether these earnings reflect a stepping stone credential or an endpoint. Many associate's degree holders in education work as paraprofessionals or teaching assistants while pursuing bachelor's degrees—roles that pay modestly but offer scheduling flexibility for further study. If your child plans to continue on to a bachelor's degree and teaching certification, the manageable debt makes this a reasonable start. However, if they intend to enter the workforce directly after two years, the earning trajectory looks weak compared to alternatives, even within the education field.

For families where affordability is paramount and a four-year degree is the ultimate goal, Middlesex keeps debt low enough to make transfer viable. But if this is the terminal degree, the earnings gap—$7,000 below the national median in year one—suggests exploring other community college programs with stronger immediate job market outcomes.