At $6,994/yr net price, Kennebec Valley Community College graduates earn $36,035/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,035/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,994 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $27,976 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,035/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,035/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 13.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,255 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,716/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,251/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,712/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,325/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $55,512 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,252 | $20,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,305 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $43,798 | $5,500 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $40,647 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $35,594 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $32,711 | $15,000 |
| Marketing. | Associate | $29,685 |
The Risk Factor
47.8% of students at Kennebec Valley Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Kennebec Valley Community College gives you a low-cost entry point, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At under $7,000 a year with median debt around $13,000, the price of failure is small compared to a four-year school. The problem is the median graduate earns about $36,000 ten years out, which sits close to what many jobs pay without a degree at all.
Nursing is the clear reason to enroll here. The associate degree in registered nursing pays roughly $54,000, and it does so with an actual four-year job market in central Maine hospitals and clinics behind it. That single program earns about $18,000 more than the school's median, which tells you the median is being dragged down by everything else. Environmental control technologies and allied health at the associate level land in the low-to-mid $40,000s, still solid for a two-year credential.
Watch the debt attached to nursing. That degree carries about $20,000 in debt against KVCC's $13,000 median, so you are borrowing more than typical here even for the best outcome. The electrical and power transmission certificate flips that math: near $44,000 in earnings on just $5,500 of debt is the strongest cost-to-return trade on the list.
Skip this school if you want a general associate degree with no career target. The programs outside health and skilled trades do not show earnings worth the two years.
On price, families earning under $30,000 pay about $5,700, and the tiers stay under $10,000 even at higher incomes, so there is no income bracket that gets priced out here. KVCC is a good financial fit if you enroll in nursing or a trade certificate and plan to work in Maine. If you want a broad transfer path, look at where you'll actually finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kennebec Valley Community College worth the cost?
KVCC offers decent value for students who graduate in healthcare fields, with nursing and allied health programs leading to salaries above $45,000. However, the overall median earnings of $36,035 ten years after enrollment are relatively low, and nearly half of students don't graduate.
What are the best paying programs at Kennebec Valley Community College?
Healthcare programs dominate the top earners, with allied health diagnostic programs averaging $55,512 and registered nursing at $54,252. Electrical and power transmission installer programs also pay well at $43,798, significantly above the school's overall median.
How much debt do Kennebec Valley Community College graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $13,255, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. This debt level is reasonable for healthcare graduates earning $45,000-$55,000, but may be harder to repay on the overall median salary of $36,035.
What is the graduation rate at Kennebec Valley Community College?
Only 47.8% of students graduate from KVCC, meaning more than half don't complete their programs. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor that potential students should consider when evaluating the investment.