Raritan Valley Community College
#4 Best Community Colleges- Graduation Rate
- 33% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,145 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,778 A-
- 60% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 5,416
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 46.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $46.0 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Community Colleges.
Every $1 spent returns $46.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,219,050.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 33% — 42% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $46.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Raritan Valley Community College Matters
Raritan Valley Community College is a public community college in Branchburg, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. 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
- 5,416
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Raritan Valley 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 $6,778 a year after grants and scholarships — 60% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,145 ten years after enrolling — 18% above the typical college, against $10,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 67% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 5,416 students, Raritan Valley Community College is a great fit for those seeking a practical and supportive environment to kickstart their education. Students here delve into areas like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, and Education. That variety means there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking to transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce directly after earning your degree.
Looking ahead, graduates from Raritan Valley Community College can expect to earn an average of $48,145 within a decade of leaving school. This income level positions them well in the job market, especially considering the low net price of $6,778 after financial aid. With a median debt of $10,500, many students find themselves in a manageable financial situation, allowing for a smoother transition into their careers.
When it comes to the cost of attendance, Raritan Valley stands out as an affordable option, especially for those who qualify for Pell Grants, which are awarded to 26% of students here. This financial accessibility can be crucial for individuals who may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of student debt. Those who thrive at Raritan Valley tend to be motivated and open to exploring different academic pathways, making the most of the resources and support available to them.
Rankings
- #4 Best Community Colleges
- #5 Best Online Colleges in New Jersey
- #6 Best Colleges in New Jersey
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey
- #6 Best Vocational & Technical Schools
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in New Jersey
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective Raritan Valley 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 Raritan Valley Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Branchburg, New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,622
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
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 Raritan Valley Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Raritan Valley Community College is $7,584, 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 $6,778. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,135 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,664
- Out-of-State
- $7,584
- Avg Net Price
- $6,778
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 3%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,135
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,283
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,694
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,368
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 Raritan Valley 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 Raritan Valley Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $48,145, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,229
- 8 Years
- $44,402
- 10 Years
- $48,145
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (174)
- 15%
- 100% (174)
- 15%
- 100% (174)
- 15%
- 100% (174)
- 15%
How Raritan 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 Raritan Valley Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Raritan Valley Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,778/year ($27,112 total). Graduates earn $48,145 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,246,162 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,219,050 (46.0× your investment). The median debt is $10,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 33% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $27,112
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,246,162
- Net Return
- $1,219,050
- ROI Multiple
- 46.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,778
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
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 Raritan Valley Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Raritan Valley Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.16%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.16%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $138,854
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,138,316
- Federal Grants
- $507,225
- Investment Income
- $12,814
Top Programs
The fields Raritan Valley 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 21%
- Business & Marketing 18% $47,441 early-career
- Health Professions 17% $76,984 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Criminal Justice 4% $44,852 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Engineering 3%
- Education 2%
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 Raritan Valley 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 Raritan Valley Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Branchburg, New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Raritan Valley Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Raritan Valley Community College is $7,584, 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 $6,778. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,135 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
Is Raritan Valley Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $48,145, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Raritan Valley Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Raritan Valley Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.16%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Raritan Valley 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 Raritan Valley Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Raritan Valley Community College.
- Bucks County Community CollegeNewtown, PA · Close peer30% grad $47,324 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- County College of MorrisRandolph, NJ · Close peer35% grad $50,243 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- North Central Texas CollegeGainesville, TX · Close peer35% grad $45,809 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Gavilan CollegeGilroy, CA · Close peer43% grad $47,169 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rowan College at Burlington CountyMount Laurel, NJ · Close peer37% grad $44,745 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mercer County Community CollegeWest Windsor, NJ · Close peer23% grad $43,264 earnWhy: similar size · same state
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Raritan Valley 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 Raritan Valley Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note