College students cite different reasons for pursuing their degrees, both financial and personal. There’s the quantifiable increase in yearly earnings with each successive level of educational attainment (National Center for Education Statistics), but there are also many non-quantifiable benefits that college graduates experience, such as personal growth and increased intercultural awareness.
Yet, these diverse benefits are not always realized, as the cost of college is a significant barrier for many students. According to US News, during the 2023-2024 academic year, the cost of tuition and fees at private institutions was $42,162. Public institutions were more affordable: averaging $23,630 for non-residents and $10,662 for students who reside in-state (Sept 2023). However, the most affordable options–by far–are community colleges. “According to data from the College Board, community colleges cost, on average, about one-third of in-state tuition at four-year public universities” (US News).
To keep tuition low, community colleges rely on a formula in which the institution is equally funded by three sources: (1) the state, (2) the county, and (3) the students (via tuition). However, in New Jersey, both the state and its counties have regularly fallen short of their funding obligations. Data for 2022 from Maria Heidkamp, Chief Innovation and Policy Officer for NJ Council of County Colleges, shows that 52 percent of the total revenue for NJ’s community colleges came from tuition. State investment amounted to roughly 22 percent, and the counties contributed 27 percent, on average. Recently, under the leadership of Governor Murphy, the state has increased its contribution to 25 percent.
During this timeframe, in Monmouth County, the overall operating expenses of Brookdale Community College were $101,042,108 in 2022, up from $95,404,934 in 2021. At Brookdale, “state aid increased by $1,516,241 due to the reinstatement of state funding resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Total county aid of $20,027,019 remained unchanged from 2021 to 2022” (Financial Statement Audit, pages 7-8). As the numbers indicate, the increase in operational expenses are outpacing any increases in public funding. This issue is not unique to Monmouth County. As Hiedkamp notes, “state and county investment [in New Jersey] have lagged behind the goal of 33 percent contribution that was set when community colleges were established more than 50 years ago” (Jan 2024).
Still, the savings that students will incur if they attend community college remain significant. For example, during the 2023-2024 academic year, undergraduate tuition for full-time students at the New Jersey’s largest public institution was $13,674 (rutgers.edu). Whereas, tuition at Brookdale Community College, which is often ranked among the top community colleges in the nation, was $4,740 for full-time students (brookdalecc.edu). Thus, many high-achieving high school graduates who live in the area have chosen to attend Brookdale for financial reasons. Additionally, Brookdale’s transfer agreements with a multitude of four-year partners make it an attractive starting point for many who aspire to earn their bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
Yet, despite the significant savings that community college students experience, some report that their attendance at Brookdale is only possible with the support of special programs and bills. Additionally, many who aren’t fortunate enough to qualify for tuition reduction struggle to meet their financial obligations.
Lena Gavrilovic, who is a business major at Brookdale (Class of 2026), explains that “many of us are struggling to financially balance the cost of obtaining a higher education while simultaneously dealing with other financial responsibilities, such as rent, car payments, etc. . . . [And] while we are aware that our annual income would greatly benefit with a college degree, we are also desperately trying to find ways to afford the means of obtaining said degree. This is in part why I chose to attend Brookdale Community College, as it is ranked the best community college in the state of New Jersey (and one of the best in the country), while also being much more affordable than a four-year university. My rationale is that I am receiving high-quality education from experienced and devoted professors at a low cost. It is also close to home, which immediately eliminates any on or off campus housing difficulties/issues” (Jan 2024).
Kaitlyn Nickerson, who will graduate in May 2024 with an associate’s degree in history and an academic credit certificate in women and gender studies, “chose Brookdale because it was the only way [she] could afford an education and pursue a field that [she is] passionate about” (Jan 2024). Nickerson says she is “fortunate enough to receive financial aid, especially with the NJ STARS program, but many others are not in the same boat.” Nickerson continues, “it is absolutely heartbreaking to know that the current cost of education is preventing many others from achieving what they are meant to achieve and making it virtually impossible [for people] to chase passions.”
Sarah Cohen, who was an honors and AP student in high school, “had dreams of leaving [her] hometown and attending a four-year school to further [her] education, but [she] chose Brookdale because the New Jersey STARS program offered [her] a full tuition scholarship” (Jan 2024). Cohen, who is an English major, reports that all of her “other options for college were simply unaffordable.”
Edward Grannis, a political science major, states that “without the GI bill, college would not have been an option . . . [He] chose Brookdale due to its reputation and its direct connection to Rutgers University” (Feb 2024).
Maddie Lagana, a psychology major who also plans to transfer to a four-year institution, shares that “Brookdale has taught [her] so much about [her]self” (Jan 2024). At Brookdale, she has gained “interpersonal skills and overall basic knowledge . . .”
The sentiments of students like Lagana are not anecdotal; they are supported by national data. A 2023 study revealed that “70 percent of former [community college] students said they fulfilled their goals when it came to learning new things, 68 percent said they met their goals of becoming familiar with people, cultures, and ideas different than their own, and 67 percent of former students said their community college experience led to being a good role model” (Strata Education Foundation).
In addition to the numerous intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits that community college graduates report, many go on to make meaningful contributions to their communities. “Each year, more than 230,000 New Jerseyans turn to their local community colleges . . . [These] graduates power the state’s key industries, including health care, technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, and manufacturing. Many of our teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and other first responders are community college graduates. Community colleges are also helping build the workforce for emerging industries . . .” (NJCCC). As noted, community colleges serve a crucial function in the state of New Jersey. Yet, the increases in operating costs coupled with the erosion of public funding over the last several decades have made even the most affordable options in higher education inaccessible to many.
In late February, Governor Murphy will be releasing NJ’s 2025 budget. The state is now accepting feedback on the topic of community college funding. Those who agree that a college education should be affordable to all can urge Murphy to continue to increase the state’s support of community colleges by signing a digital letter composed by the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges.