At $7,672/yr net price, Hagerstown Community College graduates earn $41,615/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,615/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,672 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,688 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,615/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,615/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,856/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,839/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,039/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,920/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,220/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 | $61,218 | $15,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $53,984 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $43,798 | $18,500 |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $42,682 | $4,750 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $27,874 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $26,353 | $11,591 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $17,794 | $9,552 |
The Risk Factor
36.4% of students at Hagerstown 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
Hagerstown Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with median earnings that sit near the wage of a mid-level regional job. You leave with modest debt, which keeps your downside small even if the payoff is limited. The bigger risk is finishing at all: fewer than four in ten students graduate, so the return you see assumes you complete a credential many students never get.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner here, paying nearly $20,000 more per year than the school's overall median. Dental support and allied health diagnostic programs also clear the median comfortably. These are the health-credential tracks that Hagerstown's numbers reward, and they line up with steady local demand for clinical workers. The ground transportation certificate is worth a look for a different reason: it carries the lowest debt of any listed program at $4,750 while paying the same as the management information systems track.
Watch the debt-to-pay ratio inside health programs. Allied health diagnostic loads you with the most debt of any top program yet pays less than nursing or dental, so it earns its spot only if it leads directly to a job you want.
The net price tiers are unusual: if your family earns under $48,000, you pay less than families earning $48,000 to $75,000, and roughly half what the top bracket pays. That structure makes this school a strong financial fit if you qualify for aid and target nursing or a health credential. If you plan to enroll in general studies with no clear program, or you doubt you'll finish, the graduation rate makes the bet weaker, and you should look elsewhere or commit to a specific completing track before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hagerstown Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $7,672 per year and median debt of only $11,000, Hagerstown Community College offers solid value for students who complete their programs. However, the 36% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which hurts the return on investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Hagerstown Community College?
Nursing programs at Hagerstown Community College lead to the highest earnings at $61,218 annually, followed by dental support services at $53,984. These health-focused programs significantly outperform the overall graduate average of $41,615.
How much debt do Hagerstown Community College students typically have?
Hagerstown Community College graduates have a median debt of $11,000, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load makes even moderate-paying careers financially viable after graduation.
What is the job market like for Hagerstown Community College graduates?
Graduates earn an average of $41,615 ten years after starting school, with significant variation by program. Health and technical programs perform well, while the overall average reflects the mixed outcomes across different career paths.