Business/Commerce at Passaic County Community College

Passaic County Community College's business associate's degree costs just $5,500 in median debt—less than half what students typically borrow statewide and among the lowest in the nation. That's the headline here: you're getting into a business program with minimal financial risk, even if the initial earnings lag slightly behind New Jersey's median by about $1,200.

What makes this particularly interesting is the earnings trajectory. Graduates start at $35,905 but reach $47,475 by year four—a 32% jump that suggests the degree opens doors to advancement. While the program ranks in the 40th percentile among New Jersey business associate's programs initially, that strong growth rate narrows the gap considerably. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.15 means your child would owe less than two months' salary, giving them breathing room to focus on career development rather than loan payments.

The college serves a predominantly working-class population (53% receive Pell grants), which may explain both the conservative borrowing levels and the solid upward mobility in earnings. For families prioritizing affordability and a low-risk entry into business careers, this combination of minimal debt and strong earnings growth is hard to beat.