Social Work (Associate's Degree) at Ocean County College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,250

Est. from NJ median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$14,131

Est. from NJ median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar social work associate programs in New Jersey suggest first-year earnings around $37,250 against estimated debt of $14,131—numbers that translate to a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio. This puts Ocean County College's program in line with what peer New Jersey institutions typically produce, and substantially above the national median of about $30,000 for this credential.

The debt figure is particularly encouraging. At roughly $14,000, it's about $3,000 below what social work associate programs nationally tend to generate, while the earnings estimate matches the state median exactly. For students entering a helping profession known for modest starting salaries, keeping debt below the annual first-year income by such a margin is important—it suggests loan payments that won't overwhelm an entry-level budget.

The challenge is knowing how Ocean County College's specific outcomes compare to these peer estimates. Social work careers often require a bachelor's degree for advancement, so this associate program may serve primarily as an affordable transfer pathway rather than a terminal credential. If your child plans to continue their education, staying under $15,000 in debt for this first step makes practical sense. If they're aiming to enter the workforce immediately with just the associate degree, verify what local social service positions actually require and pay.

Where Ocean County 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)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Ocean County CollegeToms River	$4,690	$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 Ocean County College, approximately 27% 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.