Location: Baltimore, MD•In-State Tuition: $4,380•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,880
Median Earnings (1yr)
$36,801
51st percentile
60th percentile in Maryland
Median Debt
$17,499
30% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.48 ManageableSample: 37 graduates

Analysis

Community College of Baltimore County's Business/Commerce associate's degree sits right in the middle of Maryland's offerings—matching the state median for earnings while carrying notably higher debt than typical in-state alternatives. First-year graduates earn $36,801, climbing to $44,670 by year four, which beats the national median and places this program in the 60th percentile statewide. That 21% earnings growth suggests the degree helps graduates build momentum in their careers.

The concern here is the $17,499 debt load, which exceeds both the state median ($11,294) and national median ($13,437) for similar programs. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 remains manageable—graduates should pay this off within a few years—it's worth noting that nearby Hagerstown Community College delivers higher earnings ($41,970) and Frederick Community College offers comparable outcomes, likely with less debt given state patterns. For families focused on minimizing borrowing, this warrants a close look at actual aid packages.

The program works as a practical workforce credential that pays off reasonably well, particularly for the third of students receiving Pell grants who need an affordable path to business careers. Just ensure the debt doesn't creep higher than these medians suggest—living expenses and loan choices matter enormously at this level.

Where Community College of Baltimore County Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Community College of Baltimore CountyOther business/commerce programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Community College of Baltimore County graduates compare to all programs nationally

Community College of Baltimore County earns $37k — 51th percentile among business/commerce associates programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Community College of Baltimore County$36,801$44,670+21%
Montgomery College$29,449$51,009+73%
Strayer University-Maryland$44,154$47,516+8%
Hagerstown Community College$41,970$44,478+6%
Frederick Community College$33,619$42,863+27%

Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (17 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Community College of Baltimore CountyBaltimore$4,380$36,801$44,670$17,4990.48
Strayer University-MarylandSuitland$13,920$44,154$47,516$32,8100.74
Hagerstown Community CollegeHagerstown$4,320$41,970$44,478$12,7500.30
Frederick Community CollegeFrederick$3,772$33,619$42,863$7,0620.21
Montgomery CollegeRockville$5,394$29,449$51,009$9,2500.31
National Median—$36,591—$13,4370.37

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Community College of Baltimore County, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 69 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.