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Anne Arundel Community College vs Allegany College of Maryland: which has better ROI?

Public, Arnold MD · vs · Public, Cumberland MD

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anne Arundel Community College comes closer — median earnings $46,219 against a $29,830 total, vs $38,476 at Allegany College of Maryland. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAnne Arundel Community CollegeAllegany College of Maryland
Net price / yr$14,915$8,819
Total net cost$29,830$17,638
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,219$38,476
Median debt$8,250$13,702
Payback
20-year net return-$72,650-$215,318

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Anne Arundel Community College or Allegany College of Maryland?

Allegany College of Maryland, at $8,819 a year after aid versus $14,915 — a gap of $6,096 a year, or $12,192 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Anne Arundel Community College or Allegany College of Maryland graduates earn more?

Anne Arundel Community College graduates report a median $46,219 ten years after entry, $7,743 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, Anne Arundel Community College or Allegany College of Maryland?

Anne Arundel Community College: its completers carry a median $8,250 in federal loans versus $13,702 at Allegany College of Maryland, a difference of $5,452. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

40% of students finish at Allegany College of Maryland, against 31% at Anne Arundel Community College. 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.

Anne Arundel Community College vs Allegany College of Maryland: frequently asked questions

Is Anne Arundel Community College or Allegany College of Maryland a better value?
Anne Arundel Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Anne Arundel Community College or Allegany College of Maryland?
Allegany College of Maryland: $8,819/yr net price after aid versus $14,915/yr at Anne Arundel Community College — a difference of $6,096 a year, or about $12,192 over four years.
Do Anne Arundel Community College or Allegany College of Maryland graduates earn more?
Anne Arundel Community College graduates earn a median $46,219 ten years after entry, versus $38,476 at Allegany College of Maryland — a $7,743 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.