2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in New Jersey ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Choosing the Best School for You
We analyzed 23 colleges and universities across New Jersey to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
When attending a school in New Jersey, associate degree students accumulate an average of $12,296 in student debt before graduation.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
2,011
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,992
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,892
Average Student Debt
Our 2025 rankings named Bergen Community College the best school in New Jersey in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. Bergen Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Paramus, New Jersey. It awarded 2,011 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Bergen Community College make an average of $31,992 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,892 in student loans.
Read full report on Bergen Community College
1,102
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,238
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Essex County College. It ranked #2 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Essex is a medium-sized public school situated in Newark, New Jersey. It awarded 1,102 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Essex make an average of $31,238 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Essex County College Report
1,444
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,396
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,212
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ocean County College. The school came in at #3 in New Jersey on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Toms River, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,444 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from OCC make an average of $34,396 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,212.
Read full report on Ocean County College
1,616
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,411
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,045
Average Student Debt
Out of the 23 associate degree schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, Middlesex County College landed the #4 spot on the list. Middlesex County College is a fairly large public school located in Edison, New Jersey that handed out 1,616 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Middlesex County College make an average of $35,411 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,045.
Read full report on Middlesex County College
1,619
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,429
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,175
Average Student Debt
A rank of #5 on our Best Associate Degree in New Jersey list means Rowan College at Burlington County is a great place for students working on their degree. Rowan College at Burlington County is a medium-sized public school located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey that handed out 1,619 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from RCBC is $39,429 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,175.
Learn More About Rowan College at Burlington County
1,519
Associate Degrees Awarded
$44,599
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,805
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #6, Union County College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. This medium-sized public school is located in Cranford, New Jersey, and it awarded 1,519 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Union County College is $44,599 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,805.
Full Union County College Report
53
Associate Degrees Awarded
$23,867
Average Early-Career Earnings
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. FDU is located in Teaneck, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 53 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from FDU go into careers with an average salary of $23,867 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus
1,068
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,706
Average Early-Career Earnings
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Raritan Valley Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Branchburg, New Jersey that handed out 1,068 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from RVCC make an average of $42,706 a year.
Read full report on Raritan Valley Community College
808
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,773
Average Early-Career Earnings
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Atlantic Cape Community College is a small public school located in Mays Landing, New Jersey that handed out 808 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Atlantic Cape Community College make an average of $34,773 a year.
Read full report on Atlantic Cape Community College
212
Associate Degrees Awarded
$49,436
Average Early-Career Earnings
Salem Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #10. Carneys Point, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 212 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Salem County College make an average of $49,436 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Salem Community College Report
1,107
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,031
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,934
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #11, County College of Morris did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. County College of Morris is located in Randolph, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,107 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,031 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $15,934 after getting their degree.
Full County College of Morris Report
1,611
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,204
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,568
Average Student Debt
Brookdale Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Brookdale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lincroft, New Jersey. It awarded 1,611 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,204 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,568.
Learn More About Brookdale Community College
251
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,603
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,774
Average Student Debt
Berkeley College - Woodland Park landed the #13 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in Woodland Park, New Jersey, and it awarded 251 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Berkeley College - Woodland Park is $36,603 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,774 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Berkeley College - Woodland Park
1,132
Associate Degrees Awarded
$28,828
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,015
Average Student Debt
Camden County College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #14. Blackwood, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,132 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Camden County College make an average of $28,828 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,015 in student loans.
Learn More About Camden County College
430
Associate Degrees Awarded
$52,328
Average Early-Career Earnings
Thomas Edison State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Thomas Edison State University is a medium-sized public school located in Trenton, New Jersey that handed out 430 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from TESU go into careers with an average salary of $52,328 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Thomas Edison State University
827
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,209
Average Early-Career Earnings
Mercer County Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in West Windsor, New Jersey, and it awarded 827 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Mercer County Community College is $34,209 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Mercer County Community College
554
Associate Degrees Awarded
$27,107
Average Early-Career Earnings
Passaic County Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #17. PCCC is a public institution located in Paterson, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 554 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from PCCC is $27,107 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Passaic County Community College
1,016
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,247
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,661
Average Student Debt
Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. RCSJ is a public institution located in Sewell, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,016 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from RCSJ make an average of $34,247 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $16,661 in student loans.
Learn More About Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus
374
Associate Degrees Awarded
$25,010
Average Early-Career Earnings
Sussex County Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Newton, New Jersey, the small public school handed out 374 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Sussex County Community College is $25,010 during the early years of their career.
Full Sussex County Community College Report
1,186
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,423
Average Early-Career Earnings
Hudson County Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,186 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from HCCC make an average of $32,423 per year during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Hudson County Community College
185
Associate Degrees Awarded
$22,140
Average Early-Career Earnings
Warren County Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Washington, New Jersey, the small public school handed out 185 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $22,140 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Warren County Community College
120
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,496
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,751
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #22, Eastwick College - Nutley did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Eastwick College - Nutley is a private for-profit institution located in Nutley, New Jersey. The school has a small population, and it awarded 120 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Eastwick College - Nutley make an average of $37,496 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $8,751.
Full Eastwick College - Nutley Report
693
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,247
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,661
Average Student Debt
Cumberland County College landed the #23 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Vineland, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 693 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Cumberland County College go into careers with an average salary of $34,247 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $16,661.
Full Cumberland County College Report
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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