Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Essex County College worth it?
Pay $4,436/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $37,230 ten years out — about 8.4× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A+.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Essex County College vs New Jersey avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical New Jersey college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Essex County College | New Jersey avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $4,436 | $17,812 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $37,230 | $55,389 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $18,125 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 19.9% | 48.8% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 74.4% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $50,024 over four years. Most students get $8,070/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Essex County College grad earns about -$310,800 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Essex County College
The average student at Essex County College pays $4,436 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $12,506 published sticker price. That is below the NJ average net price of $17,812.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $37,230 — below the NJ median of $55,389. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper New Jersey colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Essex County College.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Essex County College?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $4,436 per year. That's $8,070/yr in financial aid against the $12,506 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $17,744.
How much do Essex County College graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Essex County College graduates earn a median of $37,230 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 8.4× the annual net cost.
Is Essex County College worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Essex County College a value grade of A+ — top 5% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $4,436/yr, earn $37,230/yr ten years out, ROI score of 20.98. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Essex County College?
46.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 0% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,070 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Essex County College?
In-state tuition is $5,415 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $9,523 per year — a difference of $4,108/yr or $16,432 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Essex County College?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $3,792. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $9,647. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →