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Head-to-head comparison

Essex County College vs Atlantic Cape Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Newark NJ · vs · Public, Mays Landing NJ

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Newark, NJ

Essex County College

Net price / year
$4,436
Earnings, 10 years
$37,230
Payback
No payback

Option B Mays Landing, NJ

Atlantic Cape Community College

Net price / year
$8,392
Earnings, 10 years
$34,241
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Essex County College comes closer — median earnings $37,230 against a $8,872 total, vs $34,241 at Atlantic Cape Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEssex County CollegeAtlantic Cape Community College
Net price / yr$4,436$8,392
Total net cost$8,872$16,784
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,230$34,241
Median debt—$9,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$231,472-$299,164

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Essex County College or Atlantic Cape Community College?

Essex County College, at $4,436 a year after aid versus $8,392 — a gap of $3,956 a year, or $7,912 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Essex County College or Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn more?

Essex County College graduates report a median $37,230 ten years after entry, $2,989 more than the $34,241 at Atlantic Cape Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

30% of students finish at Atlantic Cape Community College, against 20% at Essex County College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Essex County College vs Atlantic Cape Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Essex County College or Atlantic Cape Community College a better value?
Essex County College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Essex County College or Atlantic Cape Community College?
Essex County College: $4,436/yr net price after aid versus $8,392/yr at Atlantic Cape Community College — a difference of $3,956 a year, or about $7,912 over four years.
Do Essex County College or Atlantic Cape Community College graduates earn more?
Essex County College graduates earn a median $37,230 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Atlantic Cape Community College — a $2,989 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.