Harford Community College
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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, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
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
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 school reports a graduation rate of roughly 39%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Harford Community College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $8,832 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $9,234 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,272 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $9,812.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Harford 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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Harford Community College's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
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 school reports a graduation rate of roughly 39%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Harford Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Harford Community College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $8,832 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $9,234 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,272 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $9,812.
Is Harford Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of Harford Community College report median earnings of $44,608; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
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 useful read on 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.54 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely 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.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.54 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note