Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Hudson County Community College vs American Institute-Somerset: which has better ROI?

Public, Jersey City NJ · vs · Private for-profit, Somerset NJ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hudson County Community College comes closer — median earnings $34,333 against a $14,614 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureHudson County Community CollegeAmerican Institute-Somerset
Net price / yr$7,307$20,464
Total net cost$14,614$81,856
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,333$28,710
Median debt$10,500$11,979
Payback
20-year net return-$295,154-$474,856

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

Which is cheaper, Hudson County Community College or American Institute-Somerset?

Hudson County Community College, at $7,307 a year after aid versus $20,464 — a gap of $13,157 a year, or $67,242 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hudson County Community College or American Institute-Somerset graduates earn more?

Hudson County Community College graduates report a median $34,333 ten years after entry, $5,623 more than the $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset. 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, Hudson County Community College or American Institute-Somerset?

Hudson County Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Somerset, a difference of $1,479. 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-Somerset, against 26% at Hudson County 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.

Hudson County Community College vs American Institute-Somerset: frequently asked questions

Is Hudson County Community College or American Institute-Somerset a better value?
Hudson County 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, Hudson County Community College or American Institute-Somerset?
Hudson County Community College: $7,307/yr net price after aid versus $20,464/yr at American Institute-Somerset — a difference of $13,157 a year, or about $67,242 over four years.
Do Hudson County Community College or American Institute-Somerset graduates earn more?
Hudson County Community College graduates earn a median $34,333 ten years after entry, versus $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset — a $5,623 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.