Head-to-head · 2026
Central Maine Community College vs Southern Maine Community College
Compare average net price ($6,975 at Central Maine Community College; $11,086 at Southern Maine Community College), ROI score (15.21 vs 9.39), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,448 vs $41,661), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Maine Community College; Open / not reported at Southern 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 | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.21 ✓ | 9.39 |
| Avg net price | $6,975 ✓ | $11,086 |
| 4-year avg net price | $27,900 ✓ | $44,344 |
| In-state tuition | $4,140 | $4,156 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,020 | $7,036 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,448 ✓ | $41,661 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.3% ✓ | 28.2% |
| Retention rate | 56.8% | 57.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $10,331 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,952 | 5,675 |
| 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 | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,470 ✓ | $9,654 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,970 ✓ | $10,090 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,105 ✓ | $11,666 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,482 ✓ | $12,946 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,672 ✓ | $14,660 |
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 | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15.8% | 16.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.9% | 11.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 11.2% | 1.7% |
| Human Services, General | 6.6% | 2.2% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1.7% | 5.3% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 3.4% | 2.6% |
| Education, General | 2.9% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Central Maine Community College reports the lower average net price by $4,111 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,444 difference over four years ($27,900 vs $44,344).
Central Maine Community College reports $787 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,448 vs $41,661). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.8% at Central Maine Community College and 57.3% at Southern Maine Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $10,331, 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 Southern 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 $11,086 at Southern Maine Community College. The annual difference of $4,111 adds up to about $16,444 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Central Maine Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,448 vs $41,661 at Southern Maine Community College. The gap in the federal data is $787. 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.