Head-to-head · 2026
Colby College vs Northern Maine Community College
Compare average net price ($17,180 at Colby College; $7,181 at Northern Maine Community College), ROI score (11.71 vs 15.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($80,490 vs $43,348), and admissions context (7.1% at Colby 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 | Colby College | Northern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.71 | 15.09 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,180 | $7,181 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $68,720 | $28,724 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $69,600 | $4,156 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $69,600 | $7,036 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $80,490 ✓ | $43,348 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 88.8% ✓ | 42.3% |
| Retention rate | 93.7% ✓ | 48.3% |
| Median debt | $19,157 | $10,825 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,407 | 638 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1501 | — |
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 | Colby College | Northern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,049 ✓ | $6,750 |
| Family income $30–48k | $1,251 ✓ | $5,629 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,666 ✓ | $8,214 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,106 | $10,220 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $46,511 | $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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Maine Community College reports the lower average net price by $9,999 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $39,996 difference over four years ($28,724 vs $68,720).
Colby College reports $37,142 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($80,490 vs $43,348). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 93.7% at Colby College and 48.3% at Northern Maine Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,157 vs $10,825, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Colby 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?
Northern Maine Community College is cheaper — average net price $7,181 per year vs $17,180 at Colby College. The annual difference of $9,999 adds up to about $39,996 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colby College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $80,490 vs $43,348 at Northern Maine Community College. The gap in the federal data is $37,142. 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.