Computer Science at Passaic County Community College

Paterson, NJ · Public · Associate Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

a compact campus enrolling 4,546 students in Paterson, NJ.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $31,346/yr fall 19% below the $38,485 national median for Computer Science. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 46.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Science carry above-average AI exposure (69% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #74 ranking among 109 Computer Science programs places Passaic County Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $31,346-to-$49,495 earnings arc over five years reflects a 58% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Computer Science careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $31,346/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$550K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
49.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,160
Out-of-state: $19,380
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,495
58% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Science graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Science Career Guide

What can you do with a Computer Science credential from Passaic County Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Passaic County Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Science at Passaic County Community College?
A score of 64/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Passaic County Community College trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Computer Science graduates from Passaic County Community College?
Our scenarios model 69% of Computer Science tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Passaic County Community College's 64/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Can you still earn well with Computer Science from Passaic County Community College?
Lower starting pay at Passaic County Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Computer Science program at Passaic County Community College?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Computer Science career paths, including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Passaic County Community College.
Will Computer Science graduates from Passaic County Community College find jobs?
At 338,800 annual openings, Computer Science has a very large employment base. Passaic County Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →