Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Maryland-College Park vs Community College of Baltimore County: which has better ROI?

Public, College Park MD · vs · Public, Baltimore MD

The verdict

University of Maryland-College Park has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,712 in 1.8 years versus not at all at Community College of Baltimore County, on median earnings of $82,860 vs $43,729 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Maryland-College ParkCommunity College of Baltimore County
Net price / yr$15,678$9,844
Total net cost$62,712$19,688
Median earnings, 10 yrs$82,860$43,729
Median debt$19,000$11,528
Payback1.8 yrs
20-year net return$627,288$-112,308

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