Community College of Baltimore County vs Baltimore City Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Community College of Baltimore County comes closer — median earnings $43,729 against a $19,688 total, vs $36,025 at Baltimore City Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore City Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,844 | $15,987 |
| Total net cost | $19,688 | $31,974 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,729 | $36,025 |
| Median debt | $11,528 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$112,308 | -$278,674 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Baltimore County or Baltimore City Community College?
Community College of Baltimore County, at $9,844 a year after aid versus $15,987 — a gap of $6,143 a year, or $12,286 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Community College of Baltimore County or Baltimore City Community College graduates earn more?
Community College of Baltimore County graduates report a median $43,729 ten years after entry, $7,704 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?
19% of students finish at Community College of Baltimore County, 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.