Head-to-head · 2026
Central Maine Community College vs Northern Maine Community College
Compare average net price ($6,975 at Central Maine Community College; $7,181 at Northern Maine Community College), ROI score (15.21 vs 15.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,448 vs $43,348), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Maine Community College; Open / not reported at Northern Maine Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Central Maine Community College | Northern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.21 ✓ | 15.09 |
| Avg net price | $6,975 ✓ | $7,181 |
| 4-year avg net price | $27,900 ✓ | $28,724 |
| In-state tuition | $4,140 | $4,156 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,020 | $7,036 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,448 | $43,348 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.3% | 42.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.8% ✓ | 48.3% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $10,825 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,952 | 638 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Central Maine Community College | Northern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,470 ✓ | $6,750 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,970 | $5,629 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,105 ✓ | $8,214 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,482 ✓ | $10,220 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,672 ✓ | $13,068 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Central Maine Community College | Northern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.3% | 20% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15.8% | 10.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.9% | 6.4% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 3.4% | 9.1% |
| Precision Metal Working | 2.9% | 6.4% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1.7% | 7.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 5.2% | 3.6% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 6.9% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Central Maine Community College reports the lower average net price by $206 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $824 difference over four years ($27,900 vs $28,724).
Northern Maine Community College reports $900 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($43,348 vs $42,448). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.8% at Central Maine Community College and 48.3% at Northern Maine Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $10,825, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Central Maine Community College vs Northern Maine Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Central Maine Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,975 per year vs $7,181 at Northern Maine Community College. The annual difference of $206 adds up to about $824 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern Maine Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $43,348 vs $42,448 at Central Maine Community College. The gap in the federal data is $900. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.