Bergen Community College: A Deep Dive into Student Demographics and Trends
Bergen Community College, situated in Bergen County, New Jersey, stands as a vital institution of higher education. This article delves into the demographics of its student body, costs, enrollment trends, and academic outcomes, providing a comprehensive overview of the college's landscape.
Overview
Bergen Community College offers associate degrees and certificates in 52 different fields. The most sought-after programs include Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Dental Hygiene/Hygienist. The college operates on a semester-based academic calendar and maintains a student-faculty ratio of 20-to-1. With an open admissions policy and recognition of credit for life experiences, Bergen Community College strives to be accessible to a diverse range of students.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The median undergraduate tuition at Bergen Community College is $3,660, significantly lower than the national average for Associate's Colleges ($8,253). This affordability makes it an attractive option for students seeking quality education at a reasonable cost.
After factoring in grants and loans, the average net price for students is $8,955. A substantial 90% of undergraduate students receive financial aid through grants, while 17% receive aid through loans. This commitment to financial aid ensures that a large proportion of students can access higher education.
In the academic year 2022-2023, 43 percent of undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid, with an average award of $4,980.
Read also: Overview of BCC
Costs
In 2023, tuition costs at Bergen Community College amounted to $3,660, a figure $4,593 less than the national average for Associate's Colleges. The average net price, which accounts for grants and loans, stood at $8,955 in 2023, reflecting a 1.43% increase from 2022.
Beyond tuition, students face other expenses. In 2023, the average yearly cost for room and board was $12,780, while books and supplies averaged $1,400 annually.
Student Loan Default Rate
In 2022, Bergen Community College boasted a 0% default rate for borrowers, with 0 out of 1,618 borrowers defaulting on their loans. This impressive statistic underscores the college's commitment to student success and financial responsibility.
Enrollment Statistics
In 2023, Bergen Community College had a total enrollment of 11,801 students. A notable 51.9% of these students were enrolled full-time, totaling 6,123 individuals, while the part-time enrollment comprised 5,678 students.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment
The college's full-time enrollment rate of 51.9% in 2023 surpasses the average of 32.3% seen at similar Associate's Colleges. This indicates a strong preference among students for pursuing their education on a full-time basis at Bergen Community College.
Read also: Navigating the BCC Bookstore
Retention Rate
The retention rate, which measures the percentage of first-time students returning for their second year, stood at 64% for full-time undergraduates. This figure aligns with the average retention rate of 64% at similar Associate's Colleges, suggesting that Bergen Community College provides a supportive environment that encourages students to continue their studies.
Enrollment by Race and Ethnicity
The student body at Bergen Community College is remarkably diverse. As of 2023, the ethnic composition is as follows:
- Hispanic or Latino: 41.5% (4,899 students)
- White: 27.8% (3,284 students)
- Asian: 9.19% (1,085 students)
- Black or African American: 7.19%
- Two or More Races: 1.66%
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.229%
- American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.178%
Notably, 7.38% of students (871 individuals) did not report their race.
Among full-time undergraduate students, Hispanic or Latino females constitute the largest group (24.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino males (20.5%) and White males (15.2%).
Graduates
In 2023, Bergen Community College awarded 1,658 degrees, with 56.6% going to women and 43.4% to men. The most common race/ethnicity among degree recipients was White (587 degrees), followed closely by Hispanic or Latino (557 degrees).
Read also: Bergen Catholic High School Costs
Race & Ethnicity by Share
In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity among graduates was White, with 587 degrees awarded. Hispanic or Latino graduates were the next most common, with 557 degrees awarded. Asian graduates accounted for 186 degrees. It's worth noting that 7.42% of degree recipients (123 students) did not report their race.
Race & Ethnicity by Sex
The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping among graduates in 2023 was Hispanic or Latino female, with 330 degrees awarded. White female graduates were the next most common, with 329 degrees awarded, followed by White male graduates with 258 degrees.
Time to Complete
In 2023, only 10% of Bergen Community College students completed their program within the "normal time" (i.e., 2 years for an associate degree). However, 25% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 31% within 200%.
Graduation Rate
In 2023, the student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Bergen Community College was Female and Asian (37.3% graduation rate).
Majors and Career Paths
In 2023, the most common Associate's Degree concentration at Bergen Community College was Liberal Arts & Sciences, with 1,256 degrees awarded. Other popular concentrations included Registered Nursing (88 degrees) and Dental Hygiene (38 degrees).
The most specialized majors at Bergen Community College, based on the number of degrees awarded compared to the national average, are Liberal Arts & Humanities, Agriculture, and Communication Technologies.
Graduates with these majors often find employment as Registered Nurses, Medical & Health Services Managers, Nurse Practitioners & Nurse Midwives, and Pharmacists. Common industries for graduates include hospitals, elementary and secondary schools, and outpatient care centers.
Operations and Endowment
Bergen Community College's endowment is valued at nearly $11.8 million as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. In 2023, the college had a total salary expenditure of $143 million.
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