Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Toms River, New Jersey
Ocean County College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$16,424Annual Cost
$45,210Grad Salary
26.5%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$10,576
Need-Based Aid
26.5% receive Pell
Ocean County College serves New Jersey's coastal region from its 275-acre main campus in Toms River. Established in 1964, OCC offers over 50 academic programs with particular strengths in marine science, nursing, and criminal justice. The campus features the state-of-the-art STEM Building and the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts.
OCC's 'Honors College' provides enhanced academic opportunities, while its 'Lifelong Learning Institute' serves older adults. The college maintains strong transfer agreements with Rutgers and other universities. OCC's 'Marine Science Field Station' on Barnegat Bay supports hands-on coastal research.
Ocean County College Acceptance Rate
Ocean County College (OCC) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at OCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Ocean County College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Ocean County College (OCC) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into OCC Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Ocean County College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for OCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
OCC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Establish Ocean County residency and secure it in writing before you apply to nursing
OCC's Traditional Nursing Program admits on a first-come, first-served basis by "date of completion" of requirements - but Ocean County residents are accepted before out-of-county residents, and every Letter of Intent requires a copy of your driver's license proving county residency. If you're not yet an Ocean County resident, understand you're competing in an effectively later, smaller pool.
File a new Letter of Intent every single semester - it's not a one-time form
Nursing applicants must submit a Letter of Intent to the Registration and Records Office every semester they're pursuing prerequisites, not just once at the start. Students who assume one submission covers their entire pre-nursing period can find their "date of completion" tracking has lapsed without them realizing it.
Choose your admission-eligibility path deliberately: test scores, GPA, or existing bachelor's degree
OCC nursing offers three distinct qualifying routes - a combined SAT of 1100 (or ACT 24), a 2.7 cumulative GPA with general education requirements completed, or an existing bachelor's degree with A&P I/II completed within the last 10 years. If your GPA or test scores are borderline, a completed bachelor's degree from another field can be a faster, cleaner path in - worth discussing with an advisor rather than assuming you must retake the SAT.
If a BSN is the real goal, plan around the Kean-Ocean partnership from your first semester
OCC's nursing AAS feeds directly into a Kean University BSN completion track (Kean-Ocean), letting students plan a specific four-year pathway without guessing which four-year nursing programs will accept OCC credits. Build your gen-ed sequence around Kean's suggested curriculum from day one rather than figuring out transfer credit after finishing the AAS.
Expert Insight:
Because OCC's general admission is fully open-door and rolling, students sometimes assume nursing follows the same low-friction logic. It doesn't: admission is ranked by "date of completion" of specific requirements, prioritized by county residency, and requires a background check plus repeated semester-by-semester Letters of Intent. A student who "meets requirements" late, or from outside Ocean County, can find themselves waiting far longer than someone who front-loaded prerequisites and residency early.
OCC Profile
Full Name
Ocean County College (OCC)
City
Toms River
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
08754-2001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a OCC Degree Worth It?
Getting into OCC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. OCC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at OCC is $69,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.95%.
How much does a degree from OCC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Ocean County College is $16,424. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Ocean County College is $10,576.
26.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 6.3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to OCC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Ocean County College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist OCC as your choice in the form.
How much does a OCC Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $45,210. An average OCC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at OCC
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Ocean County College →
Frequently Asked Questions About OCC Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $45,210 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $16,424 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
26.5% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.