Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Rowan College at Burlington County

Rowan College at Burlington County's general studies program delivers something rare for associate degrees: genuine income growth and manageable debt. Graduates see their earnings jump 41% from year one to year four, climbing from $28,376 to nearly $40,000. That trajectory matters more than the modest starting salary, especially when you're carrying just $9,500 in debt—barely eight months of first-year income. Among New Jersey's 29 programs in this field, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile, outperforming the state median by $2,800 annually.

The numbers reveal a program functioning as it should: a stepping stone that keeps debt low while graduates gain work experience or continue their education. At 60th percentile in the state, it's not elite—Thomas Edison State grads earn nearly double right out of the gate—but for a community college credential with below-average debt, the return is respectable. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these aren't statistical flukes.

For a family weighing community college options in New Jersey, this represents a sensible financial choice. The debt load won't handicap early career decisions, and that 41% earnings growth suggests graduates are either advancing at work or leveraging the degree for better opportunities. It's not a fast track to high income, but it's a financially responsible foundation.