Carroll Community College vs Garrett College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carroll Community College comes closer — median earnings $44,349 against a $5,450 total, vs $35,823 at Garrett College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carroll Community College | Garrett College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $2,725 | $9,228 |
| Total net cost | $5,450 | $18,456 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,349 | $35,823 |
| Median debt | $11,750 | $10,750 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$85,670 | -$269,196 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carroll Community College or Garrett College?
Carroll Community College, at $2,725 a year after aid versus $9,228 — a gap of $6,503 a year, or $13,006 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carroll Community College or Garrett College graduates earn more?
Carroll Community College graduates report a median $44,349 ten years after entry, $8,526 more than the $35,823 at Garrett 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, Carroll Community College or Garrett College?
Garrett College: its completers carry a median $10,750 in federal loans versus $11,750 at Carroll Community College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
39% of students finish at Carroll Community College, against 34% at Garrett 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.