Career Training Path › Maryland › Howard Community College
Howard Community College
Columbia, Maryland · Public community college
Address: 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044 · Phone: (443) 518-1000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Howard Community College is a public trade school in Columbia, MD offering radiology, culinary, and LPN programs, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Howard Community College's completion rate is 24.0%, below the Maryland state average of 46.9%; median graduate debt is $10,500 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $49,020, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Howard Community College; the school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 26.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $68,140 | $85,890 | $99,880 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $38,310 | $61,590 | $78,590 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $60,720 | $74,660 | $79,670 |
| Dental hygienists | $85,440 | $107,830 | $120,070 |
| Medical assistants | $36,930 | $46,410 | $49,110 |
| Construction laborers | $36,430 | $46,960 | $55,540 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $39,960 | $48,100 | $61,460 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Maryland (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | $11,994 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 20 | $58,405 | $55,512 | $19,200 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 13 | $49,063 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $58,405 | $55,512 | $19,200 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | $53,398 | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | $58,405 | $55,512 | $19,200 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Howard Community College is a public trade and career training campus in Columbia, Maryland. The school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for programs. It holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, with additional program-specific accreditation from bodies including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Its most-awarded programs are in Radiology & sonography, Culinary & pastry arts, and LPN/LVN nursing, among 11 program families offered overall.
On federal outcome measures, Howard Community College's completion rate is 24.0%, which is below the Maryland state average of 46.9%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry were $49,020. About 26.8% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus may suit students pursuing shorter, career-focused certificates or technical associate degrees in health sciences, culinary arts, or nursing rather than a traditional four-year path; program lengths and scheduling details are not reported for this campus in federal data, so career changers should confirm format directly with the school. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and review full outcome data using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Howard Community College offers 11 program families, most notably Radiology & sonography, Culinary & pastry schools, and LPN/LVN programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, with additional program accreditation from bodies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 24.0%, which is below the Maryland state average of 46.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $10,500.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $49,020.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (443) 518-1000 or via howardcc.edu for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Howard Community College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review accreditation and federal outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?162779.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix includes shorter technical and health-science tracks that may appeal to career changers, but specific scheduling and format details are not reported in federal data, so it's best to confirm with the school.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Howard Community College at (443) 518-1000 or through its website, https://www.howardcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.