Understand what makes up total cost

RVCC is one of the most affordable ways to earn a college degree, start a career, or prepare to transfer.

Tuition is charged by the credit, so your total cost depends on how many credits you take, where you live, and whether your program or course has additional fees. Financial aid, scholarships, payment plans, and other options may help lower or manage your costs.

When planning for college, it helps to understand the difference between direct and indirect costs.

Direct and Indirect Costs

Direct costs are charges billed by RVCC. These usually include tuition and fees. Some programs and courses may have additional required charges.

Indirect costs are expenses that are not billed directly by RVCC but may still be part of attending college. These can include books, supplies, transportation, food, housing, and personal expenses.

RVCC does not offer on-campus housing or meal plans.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance is an estimate of the total cost to attend college for one academic year. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, living expenses, and personal expenses.

Cost of Attendance is used to help determine financial aid eligibility. It is not always the amount you will be billed by RVCC.

Some students may qualify for tuition waivers or reduced tuition options.

For assistance, please contact the Enrollment Center:
📞  (908) 526-1200 Option 2
📧  admissions@raritanval.edu
📍  Stop by Enrollment Center L32

See RVCC's 2025-26 Cost of Attendance

Tuition Waivers and Special Circumstances

Senior citizens

Eligible unemployed residents

National Guard Tuition Waiver

Volunteer Tuition Credit Program

Eligible family members of September 11 victims

Students seeking chargeback approval for programs not offered by their county college

Tuition waivers and eligibility rules are subject to change. Students should confirm requirements before registering.

Chargebacks

Students who live outside Somerset or Hunterdon County may be able to request in-county tuition rates at RVCC if their home county college does not offer the program or courses they need.

Somerset and Hunterdon County residents may also request chargeback approval to attend another New Jersey county college for a program or course RVCC does not offer.

Chargeback requests must be completed each semester and are not approved retroactively.

Chargeback Process and Details

Outside Somerset or Hunterdon County and Want to Attend RVCC

You may be eligible for in-county tuition rates at RVCC if your home county community college does not offer the program, certificate, or course you plan to take.

To request a chargeback:

  • Apply to RVCC, complete the admissions process, and register for classes.
  • Contact your home county community college for its chargeback process.
  • Tell your home county college that you plan to attend RVCC for a program, certificate, or course not offered there.
  • Provide RVCC with the approved chargeback form or Certificate of Residency.

Tuition and fee waivers are subject to change.

Email required documentation to bursar@raritanval.edu

If You Live in Somerset or Hunterdon County and Need to Attend Another NJ County College

You may be eligible for in-county tuition rates at another New Jersey county college if RVCC does not offer the program or course you need.

This is a two-part process involving RVCC Admissions and your County Treasurer’s Office.

To request a chargeback:

  • Complete the RVCC Chargeback Request Form.
  • Submit the required documentation for your request.
  • Wait for RVCC’s decision, which is typically sent by email.
  • If approved, contact your County Treasurer’s Office to complete its process.
  • Submit your request by the required semester deadline.

Tuition and fee waivers are subject to change.

RVCC Chargeback Request Form

Required Documentation

For a program chargeback request, students may need to provide:

  • Acceptance letter from the New Jersey county college, including the program of study
  • Placement test results or placement test waiver letter
  • Program description
  • Schedule of classes

For a course-by-course chargeback request, students may need to provide:

  • Course description for each course
  • Schedule of classes

Tuition and fee waivers are subject to change.

Chargeback Deadlines

  • Fall semester: October 1
  • Spring semester: February 15
  • Summer semester: July 15

If you register for a different program or courses than the ones approved for chargeback, you may lose eligibility and may be required to repay the chargeback amount.

Tuition and fee waivers are subject to change.

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Fall 2026 Tuition Rates

Student Cohort Description Cost Per Credit

In-County Students

Somerset and Hunterdon County Residents

$198 per credit

Out-of-County & Out-of-State Students

Students who live outside Somerset or Hunterdon counties

$278 per credit

Concurrent Enrollment Program

Courses taken at the student’s high school

$240 per course

RISE Program

The Rise program manages the Associate Degree in Liberal Arts program inside the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) facilities.

$325 per credit

General Student Fees

 

Some fees apply to most students, while others apply only to specific programs, courses, or circumstances

 

A General Services Fee of $53 per credit hour is charged each semester to support student success services, including career and academic advising, counseling, tutoring, technology, student engagement, academic support, and program offerings. This fee does not apply to Concurrent Enrollment Program courses.

Note: Full tuition and fees are charged for auditing a class, except for individuals who qualify for the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver.

Fee Type Cost Notes

Application

Free

No application fee is charged.

General Service

$53 per credit hour

Charged per credit each semester to support student success services such as career and academic advising, counseling, tutoring, technology, student engagement, academic support, and program offerings. This fee does not apply to Concurrent Enrollment Program courses.

International Student Processing

$200 per semester

Applies to international students.

Late Registration

$50

Effective the first day of the start of the term.

Matriculation

$75

One-time or applicable student fee as billed.

Official Transcript

$10 per transcript

Charged for each official transcript.

Returned Item

$25

Charged for each returned check, credit card charge, and/or ACH transaction.

Replacement Diploma

$15

Charged for replacement diplomas.

Additional Fees

 

Some courses and programs have additional fees. These may include program, lab, certification, transcript, late registration, or other required charges.

 

Some programs, including Automotive Technology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technology, Honors College, Applied Music, Environmental Control Technology, and others, may have additional program-specific fees.

 

Students should review their term bill each semester for the most accurate list of tuition, fees, and charges.

Fee Type Cost Notes

Applied Music

$500 per semester, per instrument

Students officially enrolled in the Applied Music Program.

Automotive Student Toolkit

$1,475 one time

Charged at Program Start

Automotive Technology Program

$155 per credit

Students officially enrolling in the Automotive Technology program.

Automotive Uniform

$124 one time

Charged at program start.

Automotive Industry Certification

$240 one time aggregate

Program-related industry certification fee.

Commercial Energy Management Technology Program

$250 per semester

For students enrolled in CEMT classes

Environmental Control Technology Program

$250 per semester

For students enrolled in ECTC classes

Honors College

$150 per semester

For students officially enrolling in the Honors College Program.

Nursing Program

Fee $1,130 per semester

Students officially enrolled in the College’s Nursing Program.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

$250 per semester

Students enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

QuickBooks Certified User

$108

For ACCT 225: Accounting Systems and Software.

Typhon Subscription

$100

For OTAH 101: Introduction to Occupational Therapy.

Certified Medical Assistant Exam

$125

For MATC 128: Medical Assistant Professional Practicum.

Estimate Your Total Cost

Your total cost may include more than tuition and fees. Depending on your situation, you may also need to plan for books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and other costs.

RVCC’s cost calculator can help you estimate tuition and general fees based on the number of credits you plan to take.

Use the Net Price Calculator

Payment Options

Students are responsible for paying tuition and fees by the published payment deadline. RVCC offers payment options to help students manage their balance.

How to Make Payments