Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Hudson County Community College vs New Jersey City University: which has better ROI?

Public, Jersey City NJ · vs · Public, Jersey City NJ

The verdict

New Jersey City University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,212 in 14.6 years versus not at all at Hudson County Community College, on median earnings of $52,745 vs $34,333 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureHudson County Community CollegeNew Jersey City University
Net price / yr$7,307$16,053
Total net cost$14,614$64,212
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,333$52,745
Median debt$10,500$18,500
Payback14.6 yrs
20-year net return-$295,154$23,488

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

Which is cheaper, Hudson County Community College or New Jersey City University?

Hudson County Community College, at $7,307 a year after aid versus $16,053 — a gap of $8,746 a year, or $49,598 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 New Jersey City University graduates earn more?

New Jersey City University graduates report a median $52,745 ten years after entry, $18,412 more than the $34,333 at Hudson County Community 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 leaves students with less debt, Hudson County Community College or New Jersey City University?

Hudson County Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $18,500 at New Jersey City University, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

34% of students finish at New Jersey City University, 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 New Jersey City University: frequently asked questions

Is Hudson County Community College or New Jersey City University a better value?
New Jersey City University. It clears its $64,212 net cost in about 14.6 years versus no clear payback at Hudson County Community College, on median earnings of $52,745 vs $34,333 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Hudson County Community College or New Jersey City University?
Hudson County Community College: $7,307/yr net price after aid versus $16,053/yr at New Jersey City University — a difference of $8,746 a year, or about $49,598 over four years.
Do Hudson County Community College or New Jersey City University graduates earn more?
New Jersey City University graduates earn a median $52,745 ten years after entry, versus $34,333 at Hudson County Community College — a $18,412 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.