Hagerstown Community College
#2 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,615 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,835 A-
- 60% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,948
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 36.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $36.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland.
Every $1 spent returns $36.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $975,364.
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 38% — 34% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $36.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Hagerstown Community College Matters
Hagerstown Community College is a public community college in Hagerstown, 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
- 2,948
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Transportation
Why students choose Hagerstown Community 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 $6,835 a year after grants and scholarships — 60% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,615 ten years after enrolling — 2% above the typical college, against $11,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 67% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.26 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 2,948 students, Hagerstown Community College is a solid choice for those looking to dive into fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Transportation, or Computer Science & IT. This school caters well to individuals who are eager to gain practical skills and knowledge that can lead directly to employment. The focus here is on equipping students with the tools they need for the job market, making it a fitting option for those seeking a hands-on approach to their education.
Life after graduation looks promising, with graduates earning an average of $41,615 a decade after completing their studies. While the graduation rate sits at 38%, many students find that the skills learned here open doors to advancement in their careers. The affordability of this college is appealing, considering the net price after aid is just $6,835, allowing students to enter the workforce with less financial burden compared to many other institutions.
Financially, students leave Hagerstown with a median debt of $11,000, which is manageable for many. The relatively low cost of education here encourages a diverse range of students to thrive, particularly those who may be balancing work and study or looking for a more affordable pathway to higher education. If you're focused on gaining practical skills without accumulating a hefty debt load, this college could be a great fit for you.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Hagerstown Community 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 Hagerstown Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Hagerstown, Maryland, Hagerstown Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 26%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,590
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
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 Hagerstown Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hagerstown Community College is $8,190, 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 $6,835. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,093 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,320
- Out-of-State
- $8,190
- Avg Net Price
- $6,835
- Median Debt
- $11,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 14%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,093
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,266
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,728
- Family Income $110K+
- $10,814
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Hagerstown Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hagerstown Community College report median earnings of $41,615, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,634
- 8 Years
- $39,468
- 10 Years
- $41,615
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (90)
- 22%
- 100% (90)
- 22%
- 100% (90)
- 22%
- 100% (90)
- 22%
How Hagerstown 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 Hagerstown Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Hagerstown Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,835/year ($27,340 total). Graduates earn $41,615 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,002,704 in total earnings — a net gain of $975,364 (36.7× your investment). The median debt is $11,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $27,340
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,002,704
- Net Return
- $975,364
- ROI Multiple
- 36.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,835
- Median Debt
- $11,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
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 Hagerstown Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hagerstown Community 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 1.17%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.17%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $71,500
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,337,220
- Investment Income
- $26,919
Top Programs
The fields Hagerstown Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 32%
- Health Professions 23%
- Business & Marketing 17%
- Transportation 10%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Education 3%
- Engineering 2%
- Criminal Justice 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Hagerstown Community 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 Hagerstown Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Hagerstown, Maryland, Hagerstown Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hagerstown Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hagerstown Community College is $8,190, 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 $6,835. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,093 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,000 in federal student loans.
Is Hagerstown Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hagerstown Community College report median earnings of $41,615, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Hagerstown Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hagerstown Community 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 1.17%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Hagerstown Community 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 Hagerstown Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Hagerstown Community College.
- Central Maine Community CollegeAuburn, ME · Close peer29% grad $42,448 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Niagara County Community CollegeSanborn, NY · Close peer31% grad $42,285 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeCharlottesville, VA · Close peer37% grad $40,752 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge, IA · Close peer43% grad $42,046 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Mohawk Valley Community CollegeUtica, NY · Close peer36% grad $39,850 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Woodland Community CollegeWoodland, CA · Close peer40% grad $40,042 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Hagerstown Community 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 Hagerstown Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note