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Cecil College vs Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia: which has better ROI?

Public, North East MD · vs · Private for-profit, Columbia 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 $38,683 at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCecil CollegeLincoln College of Technology-Columbia
Net price / yr$9,658$34,306
Total net cost$19,316$137,224
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,952$38,683
Median debt$9,536$11,250
Payback
20-year net return-$107,476-$330,764

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

Which is cheaper, Cecil College or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia?

Cecil College, at $9,658 a year after aid versus $34,306 — a gap of $24,648 a year, or $117,908 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cecil College or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia graduates earn more?

Cecil College graduates report a median $43,952 ten years after entry, $5,269 more than the $38,683 at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia. 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, Cecil College or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia?

Cecil College: its completers carry a median $9,536 in federal loans versus $11,250 at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia, a difference of $1,714. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia, against 37% at Cecil 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.

Cecil College vs Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia: frequently asked questions

Is Cecil College or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia 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, Cecil College or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia?
Cecil College: $9,658/yr net price after aid versus $34,306/yr at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia — a difference of $24,648 a year, or about $117,908 over four years.
Do Cecil College or Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia graduates earn more?
Cecil College graduates earn a median $43,952 ten years after entry, versus $38,683 at Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia — a $5,269 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.