County College Cost, Grad Rate Low, Scorecard Shows

The cost to attend County College of Morris is low compared to its national counterparts, according to a new, interactive website designed by the United States Department of Education.

The website, created after President Barack Obama called for colleges to be held accountable for “cost, value and quality,” gives families and prospective students  critical information to make decisions on college choices, according to the Department of Education.

According to the Scorecard, the average net price (the cost after grants and scholarships are subtracted) to attend County College of Morris is $5,195. The analysis also showed the net price increased 4.8-percent from 2007 to 2009.

“We know students and families are often overwhelmed in the college search process­–but feel they lack the tools to sort through the information and decide which school is right for them,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a statement. “The College Scorecard provides a snapshot about an institution’s cost and value to help families make smart decisions about where to enroll.”

The graduation rate for County College of Morris was on the low end of the medium bracket, tallying a 21.6-percent figure, the Scorecard showed. Some 27.8-percent of students transferred to another institution, the analysis showed.

One category in which County College of Morris was ahead of the national average is loan default rate. Borrowers attending CCM defaulted on their Federal student loans within three years of entering repayment at a 10.2-percent rate, while the U.S. average is 13.4-percent.

To see the College Scorecard and other colleges ranked, go here.

Do you think this tool will be helpful for prospective college students and their families? Will you use it to help make college decisions?