Allegany College of Maryland vs North American Trade Schools: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North American Trade Schools comes closer — median earnings $39,756 against a $34,388 total, vs $38,476 at Allegany College of Maryland. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allegany College of Maryland | North American Trade Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,819 | $8,597 |
| Total net cost | $17,638 | $34,388 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,476 | $39,756 |
| Median debt | $13,702 | $7,338 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$215,318 | -$206,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allegany College of Maryland or North American Trade Schools?
North American Trade Schools, at $8,597 a year after aid versus $8,819 — a gap of $222 a year, or $16,750 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 North American Trade Schools graduates earn more?
North American Trade Schools graduates report a median $39,756 ten years after entry, $1,280 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 North American Trade Schools?
North American Trade Schools: its completers carry a median $7,338 in federal loans versus $13,702 at Allegany College of Maryland, a difference of $6,364. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at North American Trade Schools, 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.