Harford Community College
#4 Best Education Colleges in Maryland- Graduation Rate
- 39% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,608 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,234 B+
- 46% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,696
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 30.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $30.8 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Education Colleges in Maryland.
Every $1 spent returns $30.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,099,312.
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 39% — 32% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $30.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Harford Community College Matters
Harford Community College is a public community college in Bel Air, MD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
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
- 3,696
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Harford 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 $9,234 a year after grants and scholarships — 46% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,608 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college, against $9,812 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 94% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.54 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 3,700 students, Harford Community College is a solid choice for those looking to start their college journey or gain new skills. It suits individuals interested in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, and Education. The college's programs are designed to be accessible and practical, focusing on what students need to thrive in various careers.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $44,608 within ten years, which gives a clear idea of the return on investment for their education. While the graduation rate sits at 39%, many students do find pathways to upward mobility in their careers. Affordable education is key here, with a net price of $9,234 after financial aid, making it manageable for many to pursue their goals without excessive debt.
Speaking of debt, the median student loan debt is $9,812, which is relatively low compared to many four-year institutions. This means graduates can find themselves in a better position financially as they enter the workforce. Students who thrive at Harford often appreciate a hands-on approach to learning and value small class sizes, which can enhance engagement and support. Overall, this community college can be a great stepping stone for those looking to build a career or transfer to a four-year university.
Rankings
- #4 Best Education Colleges in Maryland
- #6 Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland
- #6 Best Data Science Colleges in Maryland
- #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland
- #12 Best Business Colleges in Maryland
- #13 Best Colleges in Maryland
- #13 Best Online Colleges in Maryland
- #16 Best Nursing Colleges in Maryland
Can I Get In?
How selective Harford 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 Harford Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bel Air, Maryland, Harford Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 34%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,787
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
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 Harford Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Harford Community College is $8,832, 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 $9,234. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,272 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,812 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,032
- Out-of-State
- $8,832
- Avg Net Price
- $9,234
- Median Debt
- $9,812
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 10%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,272
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,528
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,632
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,240
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 Harford Community 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 Harford Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Harford Community College report median earnings of $44,608, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,741
- 8 Years
- $42,096
- 10 Years
- $44,608
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (118)
- 16%
- 100% (118)
- 16%
- 100% (118)
- 16%
- 100% (118)
- 16%
How Harford 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 Harford Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Harford Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,234/year ($36,936 total). Graduates earn $44,608 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,136,248 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,099,312 (30.8× your investment). The median debt is $9,812, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 39% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $36,936
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,136,248
- Net Return
- $1,099,312
- ROI Multiple
- 30.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,234
- Median Debt
- $9,812
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
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 Harford Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Harford 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 0.61%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.61%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $122,550
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $36,218
Top Programs
The fields Harford Community 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 28%
- Computer Science & IT 18%
- Health Professions 17% $69,607 early-career
- Business & Marketing 13% $33,292 early-career
- Education 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $10,892 early-career
- Legal Studies 3%
- Engineering 1%
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 Harford 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 Harford Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bel Air, Maryland, Harford Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Harford Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Harford Community College is $8,832, 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 $9,234. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,272 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,812 in federal student loans.
Is Harford Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Harford Community College report median earnings of $44,608, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Harford Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Harford 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 0.61%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Harford 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 Harford Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.54, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Harford Community College.
- Community College of AuroraAurora, CO · Close peer31% grad $44,592 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Frederick Community CollegeFrederick, MD · Close peer36% grad $46,449 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- College of AlamedaAlameda, CA · Close peer34% grad $42,563 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Berkeley City CollegeBerkeley, CA · Close peer39% grad $41,217 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeSaint Cloud, MN · Close peer44% grad $46,874 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeSchnecksville, PA · Close peer29% grad $42,436 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Harford 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 Harford Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.54, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note