Cecil College
#2 Best Education Colleges in Maryland- Graduation Rate
- 32% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,952 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,658 B
- 44% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,363
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.4 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in Maryland.
Every $1 spent returns $25.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $943,894.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 32% — 43% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Cecil College Matters
Cecil College is a public community college in North East, MD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,363
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education
Why students choose Cecil College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,658 a year after grants and scholarships — 44% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,952 ten years after enrolling — 8% above the typical college, against $9,536 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 66% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Cecil College is a solid choice for students interested in practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and the Humanities. With an enrollment of 1,363, it caters well to individuals looking for a close-knit community and personalized attention. The focus on programs such as Visual & Performing Arts and Education means students can engage in a variety of disciplines that prepare them for diverse career paths.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $43,952 within ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 32%, those who do complete their studies can find a decent return on their investment. The affordability of the college is noteworthy, with a net price of $9,658 after financial aid, making it accessible for many families. It’s a place where students can build a future, especially if they’re motivated to leverage the skills they gain.
The financial picture looks manageable for most graduates, with a median debt of $9,536. This relatively modest debt load, combined with a supportive environment, means that students who thrive here often have a clear vision for their careers and a readiness to engage in their fields. It’s a practical option for those who want to balance education and financial responsibility while pursuing their goals.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in Maryland
- #9 Best Nursing Colleges in Maryland
- #9 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Maryland
- #12 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland
- #15 Best Colleges in Maryland
- #15 Best Online Colleges in Maryland
- #15 Best Business Colleges in Maryland
- #16 Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland
Can I Get In?
How selective Cecil College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cecil College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in North East, Maryland, Cecil College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
- Retention Rate
- 62%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 28%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,720
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 53%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cecil College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cecil College is $10,830, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,658. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,850 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,536 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,640
- Out-of-State
- $10,830
- Avg Net Price
- $9,658
- Median Debt
- $9,536
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 9%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,850
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,601
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,102
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,157
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Cecil College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Cecil College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cecil College report median earnings of $43,952, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,837
- 8 Years
- $42,455
- 10 Years
- $43,952
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (12)
- 4%
- 100% (12)
- 4%
- 100% (12)
- 4%
- 100% (12)
- 4%
How Cecil Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Cecil College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Cecil College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,658/year ($38,632 total). Graduates earn $43,952 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $982,526 in total earnings — a net gain of $943,894 (25.4× your investment). The median debt is $9,536, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 32% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $38,632
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $982,526
- Net Return
- $943,894
- ROI Multiple
- 25.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,658
- Median Debt
- $9,536
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Cecil College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cecil College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.19%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.19%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $103,937
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $8,231,156
- Federal Grants
- $3,101,260
- Investment Income
- $15,650
Top Programs
The fields Cecil College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 27%
- Health Professions 22% $75,827 early-career
- Business & Marketing 13% $56,154 early-career
- Education 8%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Engineering 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Cecil College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cecil College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in North East, Maryland, Cecil College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cecil College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cecil College is $10,830, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,658. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,850 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,536 in federal student loans.
Is Cecil College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cecil College report median earnings of $43,952, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Cecil College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cecil College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.19%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Cecil College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cecil College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Cecil College.
- College of Eastern IdahoIdaho Falls, ID · Close peer37% grad $42,057 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Schenectady County Community CollegeSchenectady, NY · Close peer31% grad $40,902 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa, IA · Close peer40% grad $40,507 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Berkshire Community CollegePittsfield, MA · Close peer21% grad $38,832 earnWhy: similar size · similar net price
- South Central CollegeNorth Mankato, MN · Close peer34% grad $45,068 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Eastern Maine Community CollegeBangor, ME · Close peer33% grad $41,704 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Cecil College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cecil College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note