Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Paterson, New Jersey
Passaic County Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,717Annual Cost
$36,972Grad Salary
52.8%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
$7,857
Need-Based Aid
52.8% receive Pell
Passaic County Community College serves one of New Jersey's most diverse counties from its urban campus in Paterson and additional locations in Wanaque and Wayne. Established in 1971, the college has grown to serve over 13,000 students annually through credit and non-credit programs that address regional workforce needs. PCCC's main campus in downtown Paterson features the Academic Center with its rooftop greenhouse, the Hamilton Club Building housing art galleries, and the newly renovated Memorial Library.
The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs with particular strengths in nursing, criminal justice, and STEM fields that serve the county's urban population. PCCC's 'Honors College' provides enhanced academic opportunities, while its 'Center for Workforce Development' partners with employers like St. Joseph's Health and the Paterson Public Schools. The college plays a vital cultural role through its Poetry Center, which hosts the prestigious 'Paterson Poetry Prize,' and its art galleries that showcase regional artists. PCCC's strong commitment to access and success for its predominantly first-generation student population has made it a transformative institution in one of New Jersey's most economically challenged regions.
Passaic County Community College Acceptance Rate
Passaic County Community College (PCCC) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Passaic County Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Passaic County Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
PCCC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at PCCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Passaic County Community College's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Passaic County Community College (PCCC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if PCCC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into PCCC Without SAT or ACT?
PCCC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for PCCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into PCCC is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Treat Nurse Ed as its own competitive admission
General PCCC admission is open, but the Nurse Education Program is not - it ranks applicants on a Selection Point System combining prerequisite GPA and TEAS score. Build your prerequisite schedule (CH 103, BS 103/104, EN 101/102, PS 101/102) around getting the highest possible grades, since those courses directly feed your point total, not just your GPA in general.
Hit the exact cohort deadline - there are no exceptions
PCCC runs two nursing cohorts with hard cutoffs: Day cohort applications open August 1 and close October 1 for a Fall start; Evening cohort applications open January 1 and close March 1 for a Spring start. The college states explicitly that no exceptions are made. Mark these dates months in advance rather than assuming community-college rolling admission applies here.
Pass the TEAS with margin, and time it right
You need a minimum 50% correct in each section (Math, Reading, English) of the TEAS, and the score is only valid for three years from the test date. Since scores are combined with GPA for ranking (not just pass/fail), retake if you're near the minimum - a bare pass can still leave you outranked for a limited number of seats.
Use residency to your advantage if you have it
Passaic County residents receive explicit preference in the Nurse Education selection process. If you live in the county, make sure your residency documentation is current and submitted with your application packet - this is a real, quantifiable tiebreaker here, not generic advice.
Expert Insight:
PCCC is currently not issuing Form I-20 documents, meaning the college cannot presently sponsor new F-1 international student visas - a fact easy to miss because most program pages still describe general international admission processes. Any international applicant should contact the Admissions office directly before assuming standard visa sponsorship is available.
PCCC Profile
Full Name
Passaic County Community College (PCCC)
City
Paterson
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
07505-1179
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a PCCC Degree Worth It?
Whether PCCC is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $54,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.94%.
How much does a degree from PCCC Cost?
The sticker price is $14,717/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $7,857.
52.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 8.1% take federal loans at PCCC — file your FAFSA early and list PCCC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a PCCC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $36,972 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at PCCC
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About PCCC Admissions
Median earnings for Passaic County Community College graduates sit around $36,972 a year.
At about $14,717 a year, Passaic County Community College is on the more affordable end.
With 52.8% of Passaic County Community College students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming Passaic County Community College is the key move.
Passaic County Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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