Social Work at Passaic County Community College

Passaic County Community College's social work program appears positioned around the state median, though both earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions across New Jersey. Similar programs in the state suggest first-year earnings of $37,250 with debt around $14,131—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 that's manageable by industry standards. What's puzzling here is the four-year earnings drop to $35,018 in actual reported data, which runs counter to typical career progression and may reflect career path shifts or the need for further education that's common in social work.

The estimated figures put this program ahead of the national median for associate-level social work programs ($29,768), though it's worth noting that New Jersey's higher cost of living may offset this advantage. Social work often requires a bachelor's or master's degree for advancement and licensure, so an associate degree typically serves as either an entry point to the field or a stepping stone to further education. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, this could represent an affordable way to test the field before committing to a four-year program.

The practical takeaway: if your child plans to stop at an associate degree, understand that career options will be limited to support roles rather than clinical social work. If they're using this as a transfer pathway, the estimated debt load is reasonable—but verify transfer agreements and make sure credits will count toward a bachelor's program.