Brookdale Community College vs The College of New Jersey
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJ | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -22% | +129% |
| 10-year net gain | $-5,915 | $153,714 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $47,092 | $72,277 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $32,034 | $56,143 |
| Average net price | $11,231 | $27,646 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $23,250 |
| Break-even | 12.8 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 86% |
| Admission rate | — | 62% |
Brookdale Community College
Poor return
$-5,915 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
The College of New Jersey
Strong return
+$153,714 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.