Degree Dividend
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Baltimore City Community College vs Cecil College: which has better ROI?

Public, Baltimore MD · vs · Public, North East MD

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cecil College comes closer — median earnings $43,952 against a $19,316 total, vs $36,025 at Baltimore City Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBaltimore City Community CollegeCecil College
Net price / yr$15,987$9,658
Total net cost$31,974$19,316
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,025$43,952
Median debt$9,536
Payback
20-year net return-$278,674-$107,476

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

Which is cheaper, Baltimore City Community College or Cecil College?

Cecil College, at $9,658 a year after aid versus $15,987 — a gap of $6,329 a year, or $12,658 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Baltimore City Community College or Cecil College graduates earn more?

Cecil College graduates report a median $43,952 ten years after entry, $7,927 more than the $36,025 at Baltimore City 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 graduates more of its students?

37% of students finish at Cecil College, against 17% at Baltimore City 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.

Baltimore City Community College vs Cecil College: frequently asked questions

Is Baltimore City Community College or Cecil College a better value?
Cecil 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, Baltimore City Community College or Cecil College?
Cecil College: $9,658/yr net price after aid versus $15,987/yr at Baltimore City Community College — a difference of $6,329 a year, or about $12,658 over four years.
Do Baltimore City Community College or Cecil College graduates earn more?
Cecil College graduates earn a median $43,952 ten years after entry, versus $36,025 at Baltimore City Community College — a $7,927 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.