Allegany College of Maryland vs Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allegany College of Maryland comes closer — median earnings $38,476 against a $17,638 total, vs $38,683 at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allegany College of Maryland | Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,819 | $34,306 |
| Total net cost | $17,638 | $137,224 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,476 | $38,683 |
| Median debt | $13,702 | $11,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$215,318 | -$330,764 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allegany College of Maryland or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia?
Allegany College of Maryland, at $8,819 a year after aid versus $34,306 — a gap of $25,487 a year, or $119,586 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Allegany College of Maryland or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia graduates earn more?
Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia graduates report a median $38,683 ten years after entry, $207 more than the $38,476 at Allegany College of Maryland. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Allegany College of Maryland or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia?
Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia: its completers carry a median $11,250 in federal loans versus $13,702 at Allegany College of Maryland, a difference of $2,452. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia, against 40% at Allegany College of Maryland. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.