Head-to-head · 2026
Kennebec Valley Community College vs Southern Maine Community College
Compare average net price ($3,910 at Kennebec Valley Community College; $11,086 at Southern Maine Community College), ROI score (23.04 vs 9.39), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,035 vs $41,661), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Kennebec Valley 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 | Kennebec Valley Community College | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 23.04 ✓ | 9.39 |
| Avg net price | $3,910 ✓ | $11,086 |
| 4-year avg net price | $15,640 ✓ | $44,344 |
| In-state tuition | $4,156 | $4,156 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,036 | $7,036 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,035 | $41,661 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 38.7% ✓ | 28.2% |
| Retention rate | 64.4% ✓ | 57.3% |
| Median debt | $13,255 | $10,331 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,597 | 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 | Kennebec Valley Community College | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,361 ✓ | $9,654 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,863 ✓ | $10,090 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,146 ✓ | $11,666 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,145 ✓ | $12,946 |
| Family income $110k+ | $9,291 ✓ | $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 | Kennebec Valley Community College | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 12.1% | 16.4% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 17.1% | 6.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 11.3% | 4.5% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.5% | 6.3% |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 9.6% | 2.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7% | 2.2% |
| Precision Metal Working | 4.5% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Kennebec Valley Community College reports the lower average net price by $7,176 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $28,704 difference over four years ($15,640 vs $44,344).
Southern Maine Community College reports $5,626 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,661 vs $36,035). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 64.4% at Kennebec Valley Community College and 57.3% at Southern Maine Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $13,255 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
Kennebec Valley 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?
Kennebec Valley Community College is cheaper — average net price $3,910 per year vs $11,086 at Southern Maine Community College. The annual difference of $7,176 adds up to about $28,704 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southern Maine Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $41,661 vs $36,035 at Kennebec Valley Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,626. 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.