Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Morgan State University vs Howard Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Baltimore MD · vs · Public, Columbia 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 33.7 years at Howard Community College, on median earnings of $50,698 vs $49,020 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMorgan State UniversityHoward Community College
Net price / yr$14,985$11,133
Total net cost$59,940$22,266
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,698$49,020
Median debt$27,250$10,500
Payback25.6 yrs33.7 yrs
20-year net return-$13,180-$9,066

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

Which is cheaper, Morgan State University or Howard Community College?

Howard Community College, at $11,133 a year after aid versus $14,985 — a gap of $3,852 a year, or $37,674 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Morgan State University or Howard Community College graduates earn more?

Morgan State University graduates report a median $50,698 ten years after entry, $1,678 more than the $49,020 at Howard 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, Morgan State University or Howard Community College?

Howard Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $27,250 at Morgan State University, a difference of $16,750. 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 24% at Howard 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.

Morgan State University vs Howard Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Morgan State University or Howard Community College a better value?
Morgan State University. It clears its $59,940 net cost in about 25.6 years versus 33.7 years at Howard Community College, on median earnings of $50,698 vs $49,020 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Morgan State University or Howard Community College?
Howard Community College: $11,133/yr net price after aid versus $14,985/yr at Morgan State University — a difference of $3,852 a year, or about $37,674 over four years.
Do Morgan State University or Howard Community College graduates earn more?
Morgan State University graduates earn a median $50,698 ten years after entry, versus $49,020 at Howard Community College — a $1,678 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.