Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Warren County Community College

Warren County Community College graduates start at $22,140—well below both the state median ($25,541) and national average ($27,248) for this degree. That starting point puts this program in the 16th percentile nationally, meaning 84% of similar programs produce better initial earnings. However, the picture shifts meaningfully by year four, when earnings jump to $29,553, representing 34% growth that outpaces most associate's liberal arts programs.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $8,875, graduates carry about $800 less than the New Jersey median. Combined with that strong earnings growth, the debt becomes manageable within the first few years of work. Still, it's worth noting that even with this trajectory, graduates trail peers at other New Jersey community colleges—Camden County, Mercer County, and Middlesex all deliver stronger starting salaries that compound over time.

For families prioritizing low debt and proximity to Warren County, this program works as a foundation degree, particularly if your child plans to transfer to a four-year institution where the initial earnings gap matters less. But if commuting to a neighboring county is feasible, programs at Camden or Mercer County community colleges offer $5,000-6,000 higher starting salaries with comparable debt loads—a difference that meaningfully impacts financial independence in those crucial early post-graduation years.