Head-to-head · 2026
Cecil College vs Harford Community College
Compare average net price ($9,658 at Cecil College; $9,234 at Harford Community College), ROI score (11.38 vs 12.08), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,952 vs $44,608), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Cecil College; Open / not reported at Harford Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Cecil College | Harford Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.38 | 12.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,658 | $9,234 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $38,632 | $36,936 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,640 | $4,032 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,830 | $8,832 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,952 | $44,608 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 37.4% | 39.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 61.6% | 66.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,536 ✓ | $9,812 |
| Enrollment | 1,363 | 3,696 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Cecil College | Harford Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,850 | $7,272 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,601 | $7,528 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,102 ✓ | $9,632 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,875 | $11,592 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,157 ✓ | $13,240 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Cecil College | Harford Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 25.4% | 37.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.4% | 13.1% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 2.1% | 13.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8.4% | 3.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.1% | 2% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 2.6% | 5.7% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.4% | 2.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Harford Community College reports the lower average net price by $424 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,696 difference over four years ($36,936 vs $38,632).
Harford Community College reports $656 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,608 vs $43,952). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 61.6% at Cecil College and 66.6% at Harford Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,536 vs $9,812, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Cecil College vs Harford Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Harford Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,234 per year vs $9,658 at Cecil College. The annual difference of $424 adds up to about $1,696 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Harford Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,608 vs $43,952 at Cecil College. The gap in the federal data is $656. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.