Cecil College: $5,370 Tuition

$5,370Tuition

1,369Students

28%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$43,952Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Cecil College

Cecil College serves as the primary pathway to higher education for residents across Maryland's northeastern counties. This community college enrolls 1,369 students on a rural campus that emphasizes career training and university transfer preparation. The college maintains strong ties to local employers and four-year universities, helping students either enter the workforce directly or continue their education seamlessly.

Students pay an average net price of $10,097 after financial aid, making Cecil one of Maryland's more affordable higher education options. Graduates earn a median of $43,952 ten years after enrollment, while carrying relatively modest debt loads of $9,536. The 95.5% employment rate demonstrates strong job placement success. Monthly loan payments average just $101, making the debt manageable for most graduates.

Women comprise nearly 65% of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in health sciences and education programs. The Seahawks compete in five varsity sports through the NCCAA with 81 total athletes. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in both career programs and transfer courses. About 91% of students come from Maryland, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere where local connections matter for both networking and job placement.

Academics & Faculty

Cecil College operates as a full community college serving Maryland's northeastern corner with both career-focused programs and university transfer tracks. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures students receive personal attention in small classes. With a 27.90% six-year graduation rate, the college faces typical community college challenges where many students attend part-time or pause their education for work and family obligations. Cecil College is known for its nursing program, which consistently produces graduates for local healthcare facilities. The college also offers strong workforce development programs in trades and technical fields that align with regional employment needs. Transfer students can complete their first two years before moving to four-year universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 27.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 27.9%
Median Earnings (10 years): $43,952

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$63,817
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$47,260
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$33,281

View all 68 programs →

Campus Life

Cecil College sits in Maryland's rural northeast corner, about 45 minutes from Baltimore and an hour from Philadelphia. The 1,369 students spread across a compact campus where the 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Nearly 91% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community feel. Women make up 65% of enrollment, typical for community colleges nationwide.

Most students commute daily since Cecil offers no dormitories. The rural-fringe setting means you'll need a car to get around. Winters require heavy coats with temperatures often dropping below freezing, while summers bring humid heat reaching the 80s and 90s. The Seahawks field five varsity sports teams with 81 total athletes competing in NCCAA divisions. Weekends often center around local activities in nearby Elkton or trips to the Chesapeake Bay. The 95.5% employment rate reflects strong connections to local employers. Students frequently balance classes with part-time jobs, especially given the $9,536 median debt load upon graduation.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1968

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Stalking	2	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 25°–42°F
July Avg: 66°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.0"
Annual Snowfall: 18.1"

Student Demographics

Cecil College draws primarily from its local Cecil County community, with nine out of ten students staying close to home. The student body skews heavily female, reflecting the college's strong nursing and health science programs that attract women seeking career credentials. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families looking for affordable pathways to better jobs. The racial makeup mirrors rural Maryland demographics. Most students are older learners and career changers rather than traditional college-age students fresh from high school.

Men: 35.1%
Women: 64.9%
White: 71.6%
Black: 11.3%
Hispanic: 9.8%
Asian: 1.2%
In-State Students: 90.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 25.8%

Location

North East, Maryland sits about 50 miles northeast of Baltimore in Cecil County's rural countryside. The area offers small-town charm near the Chesapeake Bay, where students can enjoy waterfront recreation and outdoor activities. With 90.67% of students coming from in-state, the college serves its local rural-fringe community along the I-95 corridor between Baltimore and Philadelphia. The setting provides affordable living costs that help keep the average net price at $10,097 for students. North East maintains a quiet, close-knit atmosphere typical of Maryland's Eastern Shore region, where agriculture and water-based industries shape the local economy. Students considering colleges in Maryland may also compare Cecil College with similar schools in the region.

Address: North East, Maryland 21901-1900

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $43,952
Median Earnings (5 years): $55,174
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 42.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $101/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,536

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Cecil College?

Cecil College operates with open enrollment as a public community college, meaning qualified applicants are generally admitted. The college serves 1,369 students primarily from Cecil County and surrounding areas. Most community colleges like Cecil focus on accessibility rather than selectivity.

How much does Cecil College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,097 annually at Cecil College. In-state tuition runs $5,370 while out-of-state students pay $9,960. About 26% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves many lower-income families in the region.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Cecil College?

Cecil College maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, providing relatively small class sizes for personalized attention. The college operates on a semester system and focuses heavily on career programs and transfer pathways. This ratio allows for hands-on learning in technical programs that are popular at community colleges.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Cecil College?

Cecil College graduates achieve a 95.5% employment rate, reflecting strong workforce preparation. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years after enrollment, while graduates carry manageable debt loads averaging $9,536. The college's focus on practical career training helps students enter the local job market quickly.

Where is Cecil College located and what is the campus like?

Cecil College sits in North East, Maryland in a rural-fringe setting that serves Cecil County. The campus houses 81 student athletes competing as the Seahawks in 5 varsity sports through the NCCAA. About 91% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Does Cecil College have strong completion rates?

Cecil College posts a 27.9% six-year graduation rate, which reflects typical community college patterns where many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees. The college has served the region since 1968 as an affordable stepping stone to four-year universities. Women make up 65% of the student body, higher than the national average for community colleges.