Rutgers-Camden and Camden County College are the latest to work together to slash costs

Camden County College and Rutgers-Camden on Monday announced a new dual admission agreement that will allow students studying in five areas to go on for their bachelor’s degree at a lower tuition cost.

Under the plan, students studying business administration, criminal justice, liberal studies, political science, and psychology will be able to earn both their associate’s degree and their bachelor’s degree at the community college’s Blackwood campus. Rutgers-Camden will offer students a scholarship in the third year that will keep their tuition at the same level as the community college’s — $4,320. Rutgers tuition exceeds $15,000. Students will pay the Rutgers tuition in the fourth year.

“This innovative partnership makes higher education more affordable for Camden County College graduates by providing a direct, cohesive route to a Rutgers-Camden bachelor’s degree on our Blackwood campus for under $30,000,” Camden County College president Donald A. Borden said.

The schools announced details of the partnership during a news conference Monday.

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More community colleges are striking deals with universities to help students continue on for their bachelor’s at lower costs and less hassle. Last week, the 14 community colleges in Pennsylvania announced a transfer agreement with Southern New Hampshire University that will allow their graduates to obtain a bachelor’s online at a rate lower than nearly every other public option in the state.

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Rowan University has robust transfer agreements with community colleges. The bond is so strong that the colleges in Gloucester and Burlington Counties use Rowan’s name, though they are independent. One is known as Rowan College of South Jersey and the other as Rowan College at Burlington County.

“Affordability is something we all have to be so sensitive to right now, and I think this certainly does that,” said Borden, the Camden County College president.

Under the new deal, the institutions will offer “seamless” transfer of associate-level credits and joint advisement by Rutgers and Camden County staff. Students will receive Rutgers-Camden identification cards and email accounts, and have access to the university’s student organizations, library, and fitness center. (Camden County College students who aren’t in the five fields of study eligible for the tuition scholarship will get these benefits, too, college officials said.)

Applications will be accepted this spring for the fall semester. Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Phoebe A. Haddon said she anticipates that 150 students will enroll in the program the first year. She points out that the deal is an extension of a long-standing agreement between the schools.

“Camden County College is our premier partner,” she said.

Borden said Rutgers-Camden, Rowan, and Stockton are the top three schools that the college’s graduates attend. Camden County College enrolls 10,500 full- and part-time students.