Harford Community College vs. HCC

Comparable Facts

Compare Harford Community College in Bel Air, MD with Howard Community College in Columbia, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard Community College is larger than Harford Community College based on total student enrollment (8,643 students vs. 5,067 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harford Community College is located in Bel Air, MD (Midsize Suburban setting); Howard Community College is in Columbia, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Harford Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Howard Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harford Community College 17:1; Howard Community College 14:1.

Harford Community College vs. HCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harford Community College or HCC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harford Community College than HCC ($8,960 vs. $11,468).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harford Community College are 62.9% lower than at Howard Community College ($9,100 vs. $24,498).
• Howard Community College is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harford Community College (about $792 more per year; $7,224.00 vs. $6,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at HCC than at Harford Community College (about $792 more per year; $9,624.00 vs. $8,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard Community College than at Harford Community College (58% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard Community College students is 7.6% larger than aid received by Harford Community College students ($5,016 vs. $4,662).

Harford Community College vs. HCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harford Community College or HCC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between HCC and Harford Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Harford Community College - Open admission; HCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Harford Community College Jul 26, 2027.

Harford Community College vs. HCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Harford Community College and HCC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Howard Community College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Harford Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harford Community College graduates have a $3,007 lower median loan debt than HCC graduates ($6,493 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Harford Community College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HCC graduates ($67 vs. $98).
• More Harford Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HCC students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.