Frederick Community College vs Carroll Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Frederick Community College comes closer — median earnings $46,449 against a $18,930 total, vs $44,349 at Carroll Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Frederick Community College | Carroll Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,465 | $2,725 |
| Total net cost | $18,930 | $5,450 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,449 | $44,349 |
| Median debt | $8,150 | $11,750 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$57,150 | -$85,670 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Frederick Community College or Carroll Community College?
Carroll Community College, at $2,725 a year after aid versus $9,465 — a gap of $6,740 a year, or $13,480 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Frederick Community College or Carroll Community College graduates earn more?
Frederick Community College graduates report a median $46,449 ten years after entry, $2,100 more than the $44,349 at Carroll 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 leaves students with less debt, Frederick Community College or Carroll Community College?
Frederick Community College: its completers carry a median $8,150 in federal loans versus $11,750 at Carroll Community College, a difference of $3,600. 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 37% at Frederick 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.