Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey

UCNJ Union College delivers exceptional results in medical assisting, with graduates earning $48,332 their first year—31% more than the typical New Jersey program and landing in the 91st percentile nationally. Only Essex County College and Rutgers-New Brunswick place graduates at higher earnings among New Jersey's 24 programs. That performance comes with $26,000 in debt, which is higher than state and national medians but remains manageable at a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates typically earn nearly twice what they owe.

The moderate debt reflects a trade-off worth examining. While UCNJ's program costs more than competitors like Eastwick's various campuses, the earnings premium justifies the investment—graduates earn roughly $10,000 more annually than Eastwick-Ramsey despite similar debt levels. For a community college serving 44% Pell-eligible students, these outcomes demonstrate strong workforce preparation that translates directly into above-average paychecks.

For families targeting allied health careers, this program represents solid value: competitive earnings that outpace most alternatives in the state, debt that's manageable on a medical assistant's salary, and outcomes placing graduates among the top tier nationally. The premium cost appears justified by the premium results.