At $15,929/yr net price, Anne Arundel Community College graduates earn $46,219/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,219/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,929 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $63,716 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,219/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,219/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,843/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,289/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,798/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,035/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,274/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 | $62,756 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $57,318 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $54,567 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $49,683 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $49,631 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $40,089 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $35,060 |
The Risk Factor
25.5% of students at Anne Arundel Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Anne Arundel Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans positive if you pick the right program. The median debt of $8,250 is low enough that most graduates can pay it off without strain, and that low borrowing is the strongest thing this school has going for it. The problem is the 25.5% graduation rate. Three out of four students don't finish, and if you leave without a credential you still owe the debt and lose the earnings bump.
The programs that pay off here are all in healthcare and IT. Nursing is the clear winner, pushing graduates past $62,000, and computer networking follows close behind near $57,000. Allied health and medical lab tracks land in the low $50,000s. These are Maryland job markets with steady demand, and an associate degree gets you into them without a four-year bill. If you enroll in one of these five, the math works strongly in your favor.
The risk is choosing a general-transfer or liberal-arts path and stalling out. The overall median earnings sit well below what the top programs pay, which tells you the non-healthcare majors drag the average down. If you're using this as a cheap first two years before transferring to a four-year school, your real return depends on finishing that bachelor's elsewhere, not on anything measured here.
Net price barely moves with income. A family under $30,000 pays only about $5,400 less per year than one over $110,000, so the sticker doesn't flex much for lower earners. This school fits you if you know you want nursing, IT, or a lab career and you'll actually complete the degree. If you're undecided or likely to drop out, the low debt won't protect you from wasted time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anne Arundel Community College worth the cost?
Anne Arundel Community College can be worth it for specific career-focused programs, especially nursing and healthcare fields that lead to median earnings of $52,000-$63,000. However, the overall 10-year earnings average of $46,219 is modest given the $15,929 annual cost.
What are the best paying programs at Anne Arundel Community College?
Registered nursing programs offer the highest return at Anne Arundel Community College, with graduates earning a median of $62,756 after 10 years. Computer networking and allied health programs also perform well, with median earnings between $52,000-$57,000.
How much debt do Anne Arundel Community College graduates have?
Anne Arundel Community College graduates leave with a median debt of $8,250, which is relatively low for higher education. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall value proposition, especially for students in higher-paying healthcare programs.
What is the graduation rate at Anne Arundel Community College?
Anne Arundel Community College has a 25.5% graduation rate, which is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall return on investment for students who don't finish.