Howard Community College

Columbia, Maryland

Public Associate Programs
$4,080
In-State Tuition
26.4%
Graduation Rate
$49,020
Median Earnings
6,779
Enrollment

Howard Community College is a public institution in Columbia, Maryland with 6,779 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.

In-state tuition is $4,080 compared with a Maryland nursing-school average of $15,339. The school reports a graduation rate of 26.4%, median earnings of $49,020, and median federal debt of $10,500.

Tuition vs State
$4,080
-$11,259

$4,080 is lower than the state average of $15,339.

Graduation vs State
26.4%
-21.2%

26.4% is lower than the state average of 47.5%.

Earnings vs State
$49,020
$0

Matches the state average of $49,020.

Tuition rank: Cheapest 79% Graduation rank: Top 83% Value rank: Top 20%

About Howard Community College

Location Columbia, Maryland
Institution Type Public
Highest Degree associate
Website www.howardcc.edu
In-State Tuition $4,080
Out-of-State Tuition $8,976
Total Enrollment 6,779
Acceptance Rate N/A
Graduation Rate 26.4%
Retention Rate 65.3%
Median Earnings (10 yrs after) $49,020
Median Debt at Graduation $10,500
Est. Monthly Loan Payment $111
Pell Grant Recipients 28.1%
Students Receiving Loans 7.9%
Loan Default Rate 0.0%
Nursing Program Available

Cost and Return Snapshot

Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data

4-Year Tuition
$16,320
Median Debt
$10,500
Monthly Payment
$111
Earnings / Debt
4.7x

A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.2 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.

Affordability Context

28.1% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 7.9% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.

Cost and Outcomes Context

The value picture at Howard Community College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $16,320, while the reported median debt is $10,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $111. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.

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Student Demographics

The student body is largest among Black students (32.1%), followed by White students (23.1%) and Hispanic students (14.9%).

Black32.1%
White23.1%
Hispanic14.9%
Asian12.4%

Value Score

4.7x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

Median earnings ($49,020) divided by median debt ($10,500)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Howard Community College located?
Howard Community College is located in Columbia, Maryland.
Does Howard Community College offer nursing programs?
Howard Community College reports nursing program activity in federal College Scorecard data.
What is in-state tuition at Howard Community College?
Published in-state tuition is $4,080. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $16,320 before fees, housing, books, and aid.
What is the graduation rate at Howard Community College?
Howard Community College reports a graduation rate of 26.4%, placing it around the 18th percentile among nursing peers in Maryland.
How much do Howard Community College students earn after attending?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $49,020. This figure is schoolwide outcomes data, not a nursing-only salary guarantee.
What is median debt at Howard Community College?
Median federal student debt is $10,500, with an estimated 10-year monthly payment of $111.
How large is Howard Community College?
Howard Community College enrolls about 6,779 undergraduate students.