Head-to-head · 2026
Southern Maine Community College vs University of Maine at Presque Isle
Compare average net price ($11,086 at Southern Maine Community College; $7,035 at University of Maine at Presque Isle), ROI score (9.39 vs 14.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,661 vs $40,956), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Southern Maine Community College; 99.9% at University of Maine at Presque Isle) 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 | Southern Maine Community College | University of Maine at Presque Isle |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.39 | 14.55 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,086 | $7,035 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $44,344 | $28,140 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,156 | $9,402 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,036 | $14,862 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,661 ✓ | $40,956 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 99.9% |
| Graduation rate | 28.2% | 51.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 57.3% | 58.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,331 ✓ | $16,000 |
| Enrollment | 5,675 | 1,913 |
| 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 | Southern Maine Community College | University of Maine at Presque Isle |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,654 | $5,934 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,090 | $4,492 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,666 | $6,564 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,946 | $10,229 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,660 | $9,758 ✓ |
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 | Southern Maine Community College | University of Maine at Presque Isle |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.3% | 32.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16.4% | 22.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.2% | 8.5% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 4.5% | 5.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Maine at Presque Isle reports the lower average net price by $4,051 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,204 difference over four years ($28,140 vs $44,344).
Southern Maine Community College reports $705 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,661 vs $40,956). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 57.3% at Southern Maine Community College and 58.4% at University of Maine at Presque Isle. Median federal debt among completers is $10,331 vs $16,000, respectively.
4 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
Southern Maine Community College vs University of Maine at Presque Isle, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Maine at Presque Isle is cheaper — average net price $7,035 per year vs $11,086 at Southern Maine Community College. The annual difference of $4,051 adds up to about $16,204 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 $40,956 at University of Maine at Presque Isle. The gap in the federal data is $705. 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.