Degree Dividend
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UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey vs Atlantic Cape Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Cranford NJ · vs · Public, Mays Landing NJ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey comes closer — median earnings $41,595 against a $16,514 total, vs $34,241 at Atlantic Cape Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyAtlantic Cape Community College
Net price / yr$8,257$8,392
Total net cost$16,514$16,784
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,595$34,241
Median debt$15,091$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$151,814-$299,164

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

Which is cheaper, UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey or Atlantic Cape Community College?

UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey, at $8,257 a year after aid versus $8,392 — a gap of $135 a year, or $270 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey or Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn more?

UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey graduates report a median $41,595 ten years after entry, $7,354 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, UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey or Atlantic Cape Community College?

Atlantic Cape Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $15,091 at UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey, a difference of $5,591. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

35% of students finish at UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey, 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.

UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey vs Atlantic Cape Community College: frequently asked questions

Is UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey or Atlantic Cape Community College a better value?
UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey 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, UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey or Atlantic Cape Community College?
UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey: $8,257/yr net price after aid versus $8,392/yr at Atlantic Cape Community College — a difference of $135 a year, or about $270 over four years.
Do UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey or Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn more?
UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey graduates earn a median $41,595 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Atlantic Cape Community College — a $7,354 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.