Head-to-head · 2026
Howard Community College vs University of Maryland-College Park
Compare average net price ($11,133 at Howard Community College; $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park), ROI score (11.01 vs 13.21), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,020 vs $82,860), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Howard Community College; 44.8% at University of Maryland-College Park) 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 | Howard Community College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.01 | 13.21 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,133 ✓ | $15,678 |
| 4-year avg net price | $44,532 ✓ | $62,712 |
| In-state tuition | $4,080 | $11,809 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,624 | $41,186 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,020 | $82,860 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 44.8% |
| Graduation rate | 24% | 88.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 68.8% | 96.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,500 ✓ | $19,000 |
| Enrollment | 6,649 | 30,760 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1473 |
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 | Howard Community College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,714 | $2,962 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,924 | $6,051 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,198 | $10,273 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,104 ✓ | $18,250 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,881 ✓ | $26,691 |
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 | Howard Community College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 5.6% | 0.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.2% | 5.2% |
| Public Health | 0.6% | 4.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.1% | 1.7% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 0.4% | 2.4% |
| Engineering, General | 0.9% | 1.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 0.2% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Howard Community College reports the lower average net price by $4,545 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $18,180 difference over four years ($44,532 vs $62,712).
University of Maryland-College Park reports $33,840 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($82,860 vs $49,020). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 68.8% at Howard Community College and 96.2% at University of Maryland-College Park. Median federal debt among completers is $10,500 vs $19,000, 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
Howard Community College vs University of Maryland-College Park, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Howard Community College is cheaper — average net price $11,133 per year vs $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park. The annual difference of $4,545 adds up to about $18,180 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Maryland-College Park reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $82,860 vs $49,020 at Howard Community College. The gap in the federal data is $33,840. 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.