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Bergen Community College vs American Institute-Cherry Hill: which has better ROI?

Public, Paramus NJ · vs · Private for-profit, Cherry Hill NJ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bergen Community College comes closer — median earnings $46,624 against a $20,690 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-Cherry Hill. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBergen Community CollegeAmerican Institute-Cherry Hill
Net price / yr$10,345$21,458
Total net cost$20,690$85,832
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,624$28,710
Median debt$12,000$11,979
Payback
20-year net return-$55,410-$478,832

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bergen Community College or American Institute-Cherry Hill?

Bergen Community College, at $10,345 a year after aid versus $21,458 — a gap of $11,113 a year, or $65,142 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bergen Community College or American Institute-Cherry Hill graduates earn more?

Bergen Community College graduates report a median $46,624 ten years after entry, $17,914 more than the $28,710 at American Institute-Cherry Hill. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Bergen Community College or American Institute-Cherry Hill?

American Institute-Cherry Hill: its completers carry a median $11,979 in federal loans versus $12,000 at Bergen Community College, a difference of $21. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at American Institute-Cherry Hill, against 21% at Bergen Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bergen Community College vs American Institute-Cherry Hill: frequently asked questions

Is Bergen Community College or American Institute-Cherry Hill a better value?
Bergen Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Bergen Community College or American Institute-Cherry Hill?
Bergen Community College: $10,345/yr net price after aid versus $21,458/yr at American Institute-Cherry Hill — a difference of $11,113 a year, or about $65,142 over four years.
Do Bergen Community College or American Institute-Cherry Hill graduates earn more?
Bergen Community College graduates earn a median $46,624 ten years after entry, versus $28,710 at American Institute-Cherry Hill — a $17,914 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.