Bergen Community College
- Graduation Rate
- 22% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,624 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $10,345 B
- 40% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 10,557
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 30.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $30.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $30.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,236,796.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 22% — 61% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.06% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $30.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Bergen Community College Matters
Bergen Community College is a public community college in Paramus, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 10,557
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Bergen Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,345 a year after grants and scholarships — 40% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,624 ten years after enrolling — 14% above the typical college, against $12,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 10% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.53 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With over 10,500 students, Bergen Community College is a good fit for those looking to start their educational journey without the pressure of a large university environment. It offers a variety of programs including Humanities, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science & IT. These areas of study cater to a diverse set of interests, making it a practical choice for students who want to explore different fields while also focusing on career-oriented skills.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $46,624 within ten years. This figure highlights the potential for upward mobility, especially for those who enter high-demand fields like Health Professions or Computer Science. The affordability factor is significant too, as the net price after aid is approximately $10,345, which keeps education within reach for many. About 35% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that financial support is available for those who need it most.
Looking at the practical side, graduates leave with a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable compared to national averages. This low debt load allows students to focus on starting their careers rather than being burdened by excessive loans. Those who thrive here tend to be proactive about their education, seeking out the resources and connections that a community college can offer. If you’re ready to take the first step in your academic or career journey, Bergen Community College could be an ideal place to start.
Rankings
- #16 Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey
- #24 Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey
- #27 Best Online Colleges in New Jersey
- #28 Best Online Visual Programs
- #28 Best Online Graphic Design Programs
- #30 Best Colleges in New Jersey
- #48 Best Online Computer Science Programs
- #48 Best Online Data Science Programs
Can I Get In?
How selective Bergen Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bergen Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Paramus, New Jersey, Bergen Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 27%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,602
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 49%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bergen Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bergen Community College is $9,294, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,345. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,532 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,913
- Out-of-State
- $9,294
- Avg Net Price
- $10,345
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 19%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,532
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,768
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,964
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,919
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Bergen Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bergen Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bergen Community College earn a median of $46,624, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,599
- 8 Years
- $42,271
- 10 Years
- $46,624
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (196)
- 9%
- 100% (196)
- 9%
- 100% (196)
- 9%
- 100% (196)
- 9%
How Bergen Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bergen Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bergen Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,345/year ($41,380 total). Graduates earn $46,624 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,278,176 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,236,796 (30.9× your investment). The median debt is $12,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 22% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $41,380
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,278,176
- Net Return
- $1,236,796
- ROI Multiple
- 30.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,345
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 22%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bergen Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bergen Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.06%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.06%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $97,823
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Top Programs
The fields Bergen Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 76%
- Health Professions 14% $85,045 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
- Business & Marketing 1%
- Legal Studies 0%
- Criminal Justice 0%
- Precision Production 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bergen Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bergen Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Paramus, New Jersey, Bergen Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bergen Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bergen Community College is $9,294, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,345. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,532 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
Is Bergen Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bergen Community College earn a median of $46,624, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Bergen Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bergen Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.06%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bergen Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bergen Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bergen Community College.
- Prince George's Community CollegeLargo, MD · Close peer22% grad $47,548 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Nassau Community CollegeGarden City, NY · Close peer23% grad $48,248 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY Westchester Community CollegeValhalla, NY · Close peer24% grad $46,822 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara, CA · Close peer34% grad $47,647 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar net price
- Community College of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer22% grad $40,852 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- Blinn College DistrictBrenham, TX · Close peer11% grad $46,318 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bergen Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bergen Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note