Degree Dividend
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Community College of Baltimore County vs Carroll Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Baltimore MD · vs · Public, Westminster MD

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carroll Community College comes closer — median earnings $44,349 against a $5,450 total, vs $43,729 at Community College of Baltimore County. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCommunity College of Baltimore CountyCarroll Community College
Net price / yr$9,844$2,725
Total net cost$19,688$5,450
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,729$44,349
Median debt$11,528$11,750
Payback
20-year net return-$112,308-$85,670

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

Which is cheaper, Community College of Baltimore County or Carroll Community College?

Carroll Community College, at $2,725 a year after aid versus $9,844 — a gap of $7,119 a year, or $14,238 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 Carroll Community College graduates earn more?

Carroll Community College graduates report a median $44,349 ten years after entry, $620 more than the $43,729 at Community College of Baltimore County. 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, Community College of Baltimore County or Carroll Community College?

Community College of Baltimore County: its completers carry a median $11,528 in federal loans versus $11,750 at Carroll Community College, a difference of $222. 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 19% at Community College of Baltimore County. 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.

Community College of Baltimore County vs Carroll Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Community College of Baltimore County or Carroll Community College a better value?
Carroll 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, Community College of Baltimore County or Carroll Community College?
Carroll Community College: $2,725/yr net price after aid versus $9,844/yr at Community College of Baltimore County — a difference of $7,119 a year, or about $14,238 over four years.
Do Community College of Baltimore County or Carroll Community College graduates earn more?
Carroll Community College graduates earn a median $44,349 ten years after entry, versus $43,729 at Community College of Baltimore County — a $620 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.