Community College of Baltimore County vs University of Maryland-Baltimore County: which has better ROI?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $65,868 in 3 years versus not at all at Community College of Baltimore County, on median earnings of $69,960 vs $43,729 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Community College of Baltimore County | University of Maryland-Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,844 | $16,467 |
| Total net cost | $19,688 | $65,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,729 | $69,960 |
| Median debt | $11,528 | $19,500 |
| Payback | — | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$112,308 | $366,132 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Baltimore County or University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
Community College of Baltimore County, at $9,844 a year after aid versus $16,467 — a gap of $6,623 a year, or $46,180 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 University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates earn more?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates report a median $69,960 ten years after entry, $26,231 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 University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
Community College of Baltimore County: its completers carry a median $11,528 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, a difference of $7,972. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, 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.