Degree Dividend
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Community College of Baltimore County 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 $43,729 at Community College of Baltimore County. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCommunity College of Baltimore CountyCecil College
Net price / yr$9,844$9,658
Total net cost$19,688$19,316
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,729$43,952
Median debt$11,528$9,536
Payback
20-year net return-$112,308-$107,476

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

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

Cecil College, at $9,658 a year after aid versus $9,844 — a gap of $186 a year, or $372 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 Cecil College graduates earn more?

Cecil College graduates report a median $43,952 ten years after entry, $223 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 Cecil College?

Cecil College: its completers carry a median $9,536 in federal loans versus $11,528 at Community College of Baltimore County, a difference of $1,992. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

37% of students finish at Cecil 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 Cecil College: frequently asked questions

Is Community College of Baltimore County 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, Community College of Baltimore County or Cecil College?
Cecil College: $9,658/yr net price after aid versus $9,844/yr at Community College of Baltimore County — a difference of $186 a year, or about $372 over four years.
Do Community College of Baltimore County or Cecil College graduates earn more?
Cecil College graduates earn a median $43,952 ten years after entry, versus $43,729 at Community College of Baltimore County — a $223 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.