Computer and Information Sciences at UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey

The $18,160 first-year earnings figure for Union College's computer science associate's program ranks dead last among New Jersey schools offering this degree—10th percentile statewide and 5th percentile nationally. That's roughly half what graduates earn at nearby Brookdale Community College ($31,827) and well below New Jersey's median of $28,540. While the debt load is manageable at $11,000, starting at barely above minimum wage in a field known for strong entry-level pay demands explanation.

Here's the puzzle: by year four, earnings jump dramatically to $46,806—well above state and national medians. This suggests either that graduates are taking non-tech jobs initially before transitioning into IT roles, or that the small sample size (under 30 graduates) is creating statistical noise. That caveat matters enormously here. With so few data points, one or two graduates working retail initially while job hunting could drag down the entire cohort's first-year number, while a couple landing strong positions later could inflate the four-year figure.

Given the 10th percentile state ranking and the fact that nearby community colleges show consistently stronger starting outcomes, I'd want to understand why Union College graduates struggle initially. If your child is set on this program, have a frank conversation with the career services office about graduate placement rates and typical first-job titles. The small sample size means these numbers might not reflect the typical experience—but they're the only data point you have.