Hudson County Community College
#8 Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey- Graduation Rate
- 24% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,333 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $7,307 A-
- 57% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 6,626
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 29.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $29.3 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey.
Every $1 spent returns $29.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $827,650.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduation of 24% — 58% below the national average.
-
Social mobility rate of 3.99% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $29.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Hudson County Community College Matters
Hudson County Community College is a public community college in Jersey City, 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: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
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
- 6,626
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Hudson County 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 $7,307 a year after grants and scholarships — 57% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,333 ten years after enrolling — 16% below the typical college, against $10,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 4.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 4% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.31 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Hudson County Community College in Jersey City is a solid choice for students looking to jumpstart their education in a supportive environment. With around 6,626 students enrolled, the college caters to those interested in practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science. It’s an ideal fit for individuals seeking accessible pathways into meaningful careers, especially in a vibrant urban setting.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $34,333 within a decade. This earning potential underscores the value of the skills taught here, especially for those in high-demand areas like IT and Health Professions. Additionally, with a significant portion of students receiving Pell Grants, affordability is a significant advantage. This financial support can make a real difference as students transition into the workforce, allowing them to focus on their careers rather than overwhelming debt.
Speaking of finances, the net price for attending Hudson County Community College is approximately $7,307 after aid, and the median debt sits at around $10,500. This manageable debt load is particularly appealing for students looking to minimize financial strain while pursuing their studies. Overall, students who thrive here are often those who are motivated and ready to dive into the workforce, equipped with practical skills and a clear career focus.
Rankings
- #8 Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey
- #10 Best Computer Science Colleges in New Jersey
- #10 Best Data Science Colleges in New Jersey
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey
- #18 Best Online Colleges in New Jersey
- #18 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey
- #21 Best Colleges in New Jersey
- #27 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective Hudson County 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 Hudson County Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Hudson County Community College, located in Jersey City, New Jersey, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
- Retention Rate
- 61%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,588
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 59%
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 Hudson County Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hudson County Community College is $9,248, 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 $7,307. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,864 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,384
- Out-of-State
- $9,248
- Avg Net Price
- $7,307
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 56%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 3%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,864
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,634
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,858
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,348
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Hudson County Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hudson County Community College report median earnings of $34,333, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $28,676
- 8 Years
- $32,753
- 10 Years
- $34,333
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.31x
- Earning > $25K
- 39%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (91)
- 6%
- 100% (91)
- 6%
- 100% (91)
- 6%
- 100% (91)
- 6%
How Hudson 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 Hudson County Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Hudson County Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,307/year ($29,228 total). Graduates earn $34,333 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $856,878 in total earnings — a net gain of $827,650 (29.3× your investment). The median debt is $10,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $29,228
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $856,878
- Net Return
- $827,650
- ROI Multiple
- 29.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,307
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
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 Hudson County Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hudson County 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 3.99%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 36.3% 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 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $32,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 36.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $32,600
Top Programs
The fields Hudson County Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 20%
- Humanities 17%
- Business & Marketing 14%
- Computer Science & IT 10%
- Culinary & Personal Services 8%
- Criminal Justice 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Engineering 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Hudson County 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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hudson County Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Hudson County Community College, located in Jersey City, New Jersey, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hudson County Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hudson County Community College is $9,248, 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 $7,307. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,864 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
Is Hudson County Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hudson County Community College report median earnings of $34,333, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Hudson County Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hudson County 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 3.99%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 36.3% 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 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $32,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Hudson County 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 Hudson County Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.31, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Hudson County Community College.
- Cuyamaca CollegeEl Cajon, CA · Close peer37% grad $32,435 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington CollegeChicago, IL · Close peer27% grad $36,531 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mott Community CollegeFlint, MI · Close peer26% grad $32,538 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer31% grad $34,139 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConway, SC · Close peer32% grad $35,507 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Essex County CollegeNewark, NJ · Close peer20% grad $37,230 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Hudson County 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 Hudson County Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.31, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note