At $10,107/yr net price, Allegany College of Maryland graduates earn $38,476/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,476/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,107 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,428 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,476/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,476/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,702 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,331/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,364/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,304/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,989/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,882/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $59,253 | $16,551 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $51,482 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $42,905 | $12,173 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,369 | $16,375 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $23,803 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $22,841 | $11,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,796 | $11,879 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Associate | $22,329 | $16,000 |
The Risk Factor
44.8% of students at Allegany College of Maryland graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Allegany College of Maryland gives you a mixed financial return that hinges almost entirely on what you study. At roughly $10,000 a year in net price and a median debt around $13,700, the total cost stays low, but the median 10-year earnings of $38,476 tell you the average payoff is modest. The 44.8% graduation rate is the first risk: fewer than half of you finish, and a paid-for but unfinished degree is the worst outcome here.
The healthcare programs are where this school earns its keep. Registered Nursing graduates clear about $59,000, and even with the highest debt load among the top programs, that gap between earnings and debt is the strongest return on campus. Dental support services follow at over $51,000, and medical assisting pays about $42,900 against low debt near $12,000. These are the programs that justify enrolling.
The weaker end is real. Management Information Systems graduates earn about $30,400, below the school's own median, and allied health diagnostic programs pay under $39,400 while carrying debt above $16,000. If you land in those tracks, the math tightens fast.
The net price tiers hold a surprise: you pay less if your family earns under $48,000 than if you earn between $48,000 and $75,000, where the price jumps past $11,000. The highest earners pay close to $14,900. Lower-income families get the better deal here.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or dental credential, live in the Cumberland region, and want to keep debt low. Look elsewhere if you are drawn to the IT or lower-paying allied health tracks, or if you are unsure you will finish, since the completion odds put your investment at real risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allegany College of Maryland worth the cost?
With a net price of $10,107 and median debt of $13,702, Allegany College of Maryland offers reasonable affordability. However, the 10-year median earnings of $38,476 are modest, making value heavily dependent on your chosen program.
What programs at Allegany College of Maryland have the best ROI?
Nursing programs lead with $59,253 median earnings, followed by dental support services at $51,482. These healthcare programs justify the cost better than general programs, which may leave graduates earning around $30,000-40,000.
What is the graduation rate at Allegany College of Maryland?
Only 44.8% of students graduate, which is below average for community colleges. This completion rate increases the risk that students accumulate debt without earning a credential.
How much debt do Allegany College of Maryland graduates typically have?
The median debt is $13,702, which is manageable for most two-year programs. Given the relatively low net price, students who complete healthcare programs can typically handle this debt load with their higher earning potential.