Head-to-head · 2026
Colby College vs Southern Maine Community College
Compare average net price ($17,180 at Colby College; $11,086 at Southern Maine Community College), ROI score (11.71 vs 9.39), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($80,490 vs $41,661), and admissions context (7.1% at Colby 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 | Colby College | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.71 ✓ | 9.39 |
| Avg net price | $17,180 | $11,086 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $68,720 | $44,344 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $69,600 | $4,156 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $69,600 | $7,036 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $80,490 ✓ | $41,661 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 88.8% ✓ | 28.2% |
| Retention rate | 93.7% ✓ | 57.3% |
| Median debt | $19,157 | $10,331 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,407 | 5,675 |
| 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 | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,049 ✓ | $9,654 |
| Family income $30–48k | $1,251 ✓ | $10,090 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,666 ✓ | $11,666 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,106 ✓ | $12,946 |
| Family income $110k+ | $46,511 | $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 | Colby College | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 6.1% | 2.5% |
| Education, General | 2.6% | 2.7% |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 1.1% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southern Maine Community College reports the lower average net price by $6,094 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $24,376 difference over four years ($44,344 vs $68,720).
Colby College reports $38,829 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($80,490 vs $41,661). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 93.7% at Colby College and 57.3% at Southern Maine Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,157 vs $10,331, respectively.
3 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
Colby 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?
Southern Maine Community College is cheaper — average net price $11,086 per year vs $17,180 at Colby College. The annual difference of $6,094 adds up to about $24,376 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colby College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $80,490 vs $41,661 at Southern Maine Community College. The gap in the federal data is $38,829. 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.