Head-to-head · 2026
Community College of Baltimore County vs Harford Community College
Compare average net price ($9,844 at Community College of Baltimore County; $9,234 at Harford Community College), ROI score (11.11 vs 12.08), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,729 vs $44,608), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Community College of Baltimore County; 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 | Community College of Baltimore County | Harford Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.11 | 12.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,844 | $9,234 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $39,376 | $36,936 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,432 | $4,032 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,010 | $8,832 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,729 | $44,608 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 18.9% | 39.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.1% | 66.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,528 | $9,812 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 13,872 | 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 | Community College of Baltimore County | Harford Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,807 | $7,272 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,725 | $7,528 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,833 | $9,632 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,023 | $11,592 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,032 | $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 | Community College of Baltimore County | Harford Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 27.5% | 37.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7.3% | 13.1% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 4.3% | 13.6% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 2.5% | 5.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.7% | 2.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.9% | 3.9% |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 1.9% | 2.6% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 0.6% | 3.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Harford Community College reports the lower average net price by $610 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,440 difference over four years ($36,936 vs $39,376).
Harford Community College reports $879 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,608 vs $43,729). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.1% at Community College of Baltimore County and 66.6% at Harford Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,528 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
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Frequently asked
Community College of Baltimore County 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 $9,844 at Community College of Baltimore County. The annual difference of $610 adds up to about $2,440 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Harford Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,608 vs $43,729 at Community College of Baltimore County. The gap in the federal data is $879. 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.