Head-to-head · 2026
Frederick Community College vs Howard Community College
Compare average net price ($9,465 at Frederick Community College; $11,133 at Howard Community College), ROI score (12.27 vs 11.01), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,449 vs $49,020), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Frederick Community 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 | Frederick Community College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.27 ✓ | 11.01 |
| Avg net price | $9,465 ✓ | $11,133 |
| 4-year avg net price | $37,860 ✓ | $44,532 |
| In-state tuition | $3,849 | $4,080 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,042 | $9,624 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,449 | $49,020 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 37.4% ✓ | 24% |
| Retention rate | 65.9% | 68.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,150 ✓ | $10,500 |
| Enrollment | 4,203 | 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 | Frederick Community College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,640 ✓ | $9,714 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,893 ✓ | $9,924 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,519 ✓ | $12,198 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,341 ✓ | $14,104 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,919 ✓ | $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 | Frederick Community College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 25.8% | 55.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.8% | 11.1% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 9.2% | 5.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 4.2% | 4.7% |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 2.9% | 4.7% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.2% | 1.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.2% | 2.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Frederick Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,668 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,672 difference over four years ($37,860 vs $44,532).
Howard Community College reports $2,571 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,020 vs $46,449). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.9% at Frederick Community College and 68.8% at Howard Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $8,150 vs $10,500, 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
Frederick Community College vs Howard Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Frederick Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,465 per year vs $11,133 at Howard Community College. The annual difference of $1,668 adds up to about $6,672 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Howard Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,020 vs $46,449 at Frederick Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,571. 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.