Head-to-head · 2026
Hagerstown Community College vs Howard Community College
Compare average net price ($6,835 at Hagerstown Community College; $11,133 at Howard Community College), ROI score (15.22 vs 11.01), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,615 vs $49,020), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Hagerstown 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 | Hagerstown Community College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.22 ✓ | 11.01 |
| Avg net price | $6,835 ✓ | $11,133 |
| 4-year avg net price | $27,340 ✓ | $44,532 |
| In-state tuition | $4,320 | $4,080 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,190 | $9,624 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,615 | $49,020 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 39% ✓ | 24% |
| Retention rate | 67.8% | 68.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $10,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,948 | 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 | Hagerstown Community College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,093 ✓ | $9,714 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,266 ✓ | $9,924 |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,728 ✓ | $12,198 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,736 ✓ | $14,104 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,814 ✓ | $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 | Hagerstown Community College | Howard Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 31.5% | 55.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 11.6% | 5.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.9% | 4.7% |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 1.1% | 4.7% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 4.5% | 0.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.3% | 2.1% |
| Education, General | 2.1% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Hagerstown Community College reports the lower average net price by $4,298 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $17,192 difference over four years ($27,340 vs $44,532).
Howard Community College reports $7,405 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,020 vs $41,615). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 67.8% at Hagerstown Community College and 68.8% at Howard Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,000 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Hagerstown 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?
Hagerstown Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,835 per year vs $11,133 at Howard Community College. The annual difference of $4,298 adds up to about $17,192 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Howard Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,020 vs $41,615 at Hagerstown Community College. The gap in the federal data is $7,405. 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.