Head-to-head · 2026
Colby College vs Kennebec Valley Community College
Compare average net price ($17,180 at Colby College; $3,910 at Kennebec Valley Community College), ROI score (11.71 vs 23.04), ten-year median earnings ($80,490 vs $36,035), and admissions context (7.1% at Colby College; Open / not reported at Kennebec Valley Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Kennebec Valley Community College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Kennebec Valley Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Colby College | Kennebec Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 11.71 | 23.04 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,180 | $3,910 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $80,490 ✓ | $36,035 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 88.8% ✓ | 38.7% |
| Median debt | $19,157 | $13,255 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,407 | 1,597 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1501 | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Colby College costs $13,270 more per year than Kennebec Valley Community College ($17,180 vs $3,910). Colby College graduates report $44,455 higher median earnings after ten years ($80,490 vs $36,035). On EduGradify's model that puts Kennebec Valley Community College ahead on projected ROI (23.04 vs 11.71, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Kennebec Valley Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, Colby College reports 7.1% acceptance; Kennebec Valley Community College does not report a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data.
Frequently asked
Colby College vs Kennebec Valley Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Colby College or Kennebec Valley Community College the better value?
Kennebec Valley Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (23.04 vs 11.71), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Kennebec Valley Community College is cheaper — average net price $3,910 per year vs $17,180 at Colby College. The annual difference of $13,270 adds up to about $53,080 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colby College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $80,490 vs $36,035 at Kennebec Valley Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $44,455.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Colby College reports a A value grade; Kennebec Valley Community College reports A+.