Raritan Valley Community College
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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
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 school reports a graduation rate of roughly 33%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Raritan Valley Community College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $7,584 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $6,778 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,135 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $10,500.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Raritan Valley 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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Raritan Valley Community College's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
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 school reports a graduation rate of roughly 33%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Raritan Valley Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Raritan Valley Community College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $7,584 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $6,778 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,135 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $10,500.
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 national averages for 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 useful read on 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.72 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely 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.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.72 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note