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), 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. 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 | Kennebec Valley Community College | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 23.04 ✓ | 9.39 |
| Avg net price | $3,910 ✓ | $11,086 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $36,035 | $41,661 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 38.7% ✓ | 28.2% |
| Median debt | $13,255 | $10,331 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,597 | 5,675 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Southern Maine Community College costs $7,176 more per year than Kennebec Valley Community College ($11,086 vs $3,910). Southern Maine Community College graduates report $5,626 higher median earnings after ten years ($41,661 vs $36,035). On EduGradify's model that puts Kennebec Valley Community College ahead on projected ROI (23.04 vs 9.39, 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, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Kennebec Valley Community College vs Southern Maine Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Kennebec Valley Community College or Southern Maine Community College the better value?
Kennebec Valley Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (23.04 vs 9.39), 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 $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 median earnings ten years after entry: $41,661 vs $36,035 at Kennebec Valley Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $5,626.
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. Kennebec Valley Community College reports a A+ value grade; Southern Maine Community College reports B.