Head-to-head · 2026
Harford Community College vs Montgomery College
Compare average net price ($9,234 at Harford Community College; $8,027 at Montgomery College), ROI score (12.08 vs 15.62), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,608 vs $50,159), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Harford Community College; Open / not reported at Montgomery 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 | Harford Community College | Montgomery College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.08 | 15.62 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,234 | $8,027 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,936 | $32,108 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,032 | $5,394 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,832 | $14,250 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,608 | $50,159 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 39.3% ✓ | 32.4% |
| Retention rate | 66.6% | 74.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,812 ✓ | $10,415 |
| Enrollment | 3,696 | 13,773 |
| 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 | Harford Community College | Montgomery College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,272 | $6,932 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,528 | $7,163 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,632 | $8,558 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,592 | $10,862 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,240 ✓ | $14,146 |
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 | Harford Community College | Montgomery College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 37.4% | 37.8% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 13.6% | 14.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13.1% | 4.8% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.3% | 8.2% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 5.7% | 2.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.9% | 2.8% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 3.2% | 3.5% |
| Engineering, General | 2.4% | 3.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Montgomery College reports the lower average net price by $1,207 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,828 difference over four years ($32,108 vs $36,936).
Montgomery College reports $5,551 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,159 vs $44,608). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.6% at Harford Community College and 74.7% at Montgomery College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,812 vs $10,415, 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
Harford Community College vs Montgomery College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Montgomery College is cheaper — average net price $8,027 per year vs $9,234 at Harford Community College. The annual difference of $1,207 adds up to about $4,828 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Montgomery College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,159 vs $44,608 at Harford Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,551. 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.