Degree Dividend
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Rowan College at Burlington County vs Atlantic Cape Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Mount Laurel NJ · vs · Public, Mays Landing NJ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Rowan College at Burlington County comes closer — median earnings $44,745 against a $10,688 total, vs $34,241 at Atlantic Cape Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureRowan College at Burlington CountyAtlantic Cape Community College
Net price / yr$5,344$8,392
Total net cost$10,688$16,784
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,745$34,241
Median debt$10,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$82,988-$299,164

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

Which is cheaper, Rowan College at Burlington County or Atlantic Cape Community College?

Rowan College at Burlington County, at $5,344 a year after aid versus $8,392 — a gap of $3,048 a year, or $6,096 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Rowan College at Burlington County or Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn more?

Rowan College at Burlington County graduates report a median $44,745 ten years after entry, $10,504 more than the $34,241 at Atlantic Cape 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, Rowan College at Burlington County or Atlantic Cape Community College?

Atlantic Cape Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Rowan College at Burlington County, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

36% of students finish at Rowan College at Burlington County, against 30% at Atlantic Cape 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.

Rowan College at Burlington County vs Atlantic Cape Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Rowan College at Burlington County or Atlantic Cape Community College a better value?
Rowan College at Burlington County 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, Rowan College at Burlington County or Atlantic Cape Community College?
Rowan College at Burlington County: $5,344/yr net price after aid versus $8,392/yr at Atlantic Cape Community College — a difference of $3,048 a year, or about $6,096 over four years.
Do Rowan College at Burlington County or Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn more?
Rowan College at Burlington County graduates earn a median $44,745 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Atlantic Cape Community College — a $10,504 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.