Degree Dividend
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Anne Arundel Community College vs Frederick Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Arnold MD · vs · Public, Frederick MD

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Frederick Community College comes closer — median earnings $46,449 against a $18,930 total, vs $46,219 at Anne Arundel Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAnne Arundel Community CollegeFrederick Community College
Net price / yr$14,915$9,465
Total net cost$29,830$18,930
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,219$46,449
Median debt$8,250$8,150
Payback
20-year net return-$72,650-$57,150

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

Which is cheaper, Anne Arundel Community College or Frederick Community College?

Frederick Community College, at $9,465 a year after aid versus $14,915 — a gap of $5,450 a year, or $10,900 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 Frederick Community College graduates earn more?

Frederick Community College graduates report a median $46,449 ten years after entry, $230 more than the $46,219 at Anne Arundel Community College. 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 Frederick Community College?

Frederick Community College: its completers carry a median $8,150 in federal loans versus $8,250 at Anne Arundel Community College, a difference of $100. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

37% of students finish at Frederick Community College, 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 Frederick Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Anne Arundel Community College or Frederick Community College a better value?
Frederick 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 Frederick Community College?
Frederick Community College: $9,465/yr net price after aid versus $14,915/yr at Anne Arundel Community College — a difference of $5,450 a year, or about $10,900 over four years.
Do Anne Arundel Community College or Frederick Community College graduates earn more?
Frederick Community College graduates earn a median $46,449 ten years after entry, versus $46,219 at Anne Arundel Community College — a $230 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.