Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Maine Community College vs University of Southern Maine
Compare average net price ($7,181 at Northern Maine Community College; $13,596 at University of Southern Maine), ROI score (15.09 vs 9.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,348 vs $49,958), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Northern Maine Community College; 79.2% at University of Southern Maine) 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 | Northern Maine Community College | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.09 ✓ | 9.19 |
| Avg net price | $7,181 ✓ | $13,596 |
| 4-year avg net price | $28,724 ✓ | $54,384 |
| In-state tuition | $4,156 | $11,284 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,036 | $27,944 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,348 | $49,958 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 79.2% |
| Graduation rate | 42.3% ✓ | 40.4% |
| Retention rate | 48.3% | 73.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,825 ✓ | $19,060 |
| Enrollment | 638 | 4,222 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1116 |
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 | Northern Maine Community College | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,750 ✓ | $9,999 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,629 ✓ | $10,847 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,214 ✓ | $12,550 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,220 ✓ | $16,750 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,068 ✓ | $19,180 |
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 | Northern Maine Community College | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 20% | 10.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.4% | 7.6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 10.9% | 1.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.6% | 3.6% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 7.3% | 0.5% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.7% | 4.5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.6% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Maine Community College reports the lower average net price by $6,415 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $25,660 difference over four years ($28,724 vs $54,384).
University of Southern Maine reports $6,610 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,958 vs $43,348). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 48.3% at Northern Maine Community College and 73.9% at University of Southern Maine. Median federal debt among completers is $10,825 vs $19,060, respectively.
7 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
Northern Maine Community College vs University of Southern Maine, 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 $13,596 at University of Southern Maine. The annual difference of $6,415 adds up to about $25,660 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Southern Maine reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,958 vs $43,348 at Northern Maine Community College. The gap in the federal data is $6,610. 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.