Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Community College of Baltimore County vs Morgan State University: which has better ROI?

Public, Baltimore MD · vs · Public, Baltimore MD

The verdict

Morgan State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,940 in 25.6 years versus not at all at Community College of Baltimore County, on median earnings of $50,698 vs $43,729 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCommunity College of Baltimore CountyMorgan State University
Net price / yr$9,844$14,985
Total net cost$19,688$59,940
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,729$50,698
Median debt$11,528$27,250
Payback25.6 yrs
20-year net return-$112,308-$13,180

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

Which is cheaper, Community College of Baltimore County or Morgan State University?

Community College of Baltimore County, at $9,844 a year after aid versus $14,985 — a gap of $5,141 a year, or $40,252 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 Morgan State University graduates earn more?

Morgan State University graduates report a median $50,698 ten years after entry, $6,969 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 Morgan State University?

Community College of Baltimore County: its completers carry a median $11,528 in federal loans versus $27,250 at Morgan State University, a difference of $15,722. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

41% of students finish at Morgan State University, 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 Morgan State University: frequently asked questions

Is Community College of Baltimore County or Morgan State University a better value?
Morgan State University. It clears its $59,940 net cost in about 25.6 years versus no clear payback at Community College of Baltimore County, on median earnings of $50,698 vs $43,729 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Baltimore County or Morgan State University?
Community College of Baltimore County: $9,844/yr net price after aid versus $14,985/yr at Morgan State University — a difference of $5,141 a year, or about $40,252 over four years.
Do Community College of Baltimore County or Morgan State University graduates earn more?
Morgan State University graduates earn a median $50,698 ten years after entry, versus $43,729 at Community College of Baltimore County — a $6,969 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.