Bergen Community College vs Essex County College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bergen Community College comes closer — median earnings $46,624 against a $20,690 total, vs $37,230 at Essex County College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bergen Community College | Essex County College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,345 | $4,436 |
| Total net cost | $20,690 | $8,872 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,624 | $37,230 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$55,410 | -$231,472 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bergen Community College or Essex County College?
Essex County College, at $4,436 a year after aid versus $10,345 — a gap of $5,909 a year, or $11,818 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 Essex County College graduates earn more?
Bergen Community College graduates report a median $46,624 ten years after entry, $9,394 more than the $37,230 at Essex County College. 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 graduates more of its students?
21% of students finish at Bergen Community College, against 20% at Essex County 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.