Head-to-head · 2026
Chesapeake College vs Howard Community College
Compare average net price ($5,106 at Chesapeake College; $11,133 at Howard Community College), ROI score (17.77 vs 11.01), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,301 vs $49,020), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chesapeake College; Open / not reported at Howard 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 | Chesapeake College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.77 ✓ | 11.01 |
| Avg net price | $5,106 ✓ | $11,133 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,424 ✓ | $44,532 |
| In-state tuition | $4,274 | $4,080 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,768 | $9,624 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,301 | $49,020 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 35% ✓ | 24% |
| Retention rate | 63.2% | 68.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $10,500 |
| Enrollment | 1,320 | 6,649 |
| 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 | Chesapeake College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,668 ✓ | $9,714 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,152 ✓ | $9,924 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,884 ✓ | $12,198 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,052 ✓ | $14,104 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $15,881 |
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 | Chesapeake College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 40.7% | 55.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13% | 11.1% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 13% | 4.7% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 6.5% | 5.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.3% | 2.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.2% | 1.1% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 2.2% | 1% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 1.3% | 0.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Chesapeake College reports the lower average net price by $6,027 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $24,108 difference over four years ($20,424 vs $44,532).
Howard Community College reports $12,719 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,020 vs $36,301). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.2% at Chesapeake College and 68.8% at Howard Community College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
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.
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Frequently asked
Chesapeake College vs Howard Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Chesapeake College is cheaper — average net price $5,106 per year vs $11,133 at Howard Community College. The annual difference of $6,027 adds up to about $24,108 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Howard Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,020 vs $36,301 at Chesapeake College. The gap in the federal data is $12,719. 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.