At $11,638/yr net price, Southern Maine Community College graduates earn $41,661/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,661/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,638 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,552 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,661/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,661/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,331 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,441/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,885/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,767/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,659/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,949/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,351 | $13,500 |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $53,775 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $50,856 | $14,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $49,644 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $44,170 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,682 | $11,377 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $42,235 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $35,274 | $9,414 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $33,993 | $13,549 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $32,925 |
The Risk Factor
21.2% of students at Southern Maine Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Southern Maine Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff. At $11,638 a year, your debt at graduation stays around $10,331, which is manageable next to the roughly $41,661 median earnings ten years out. The math works if you finish and pick the right program, but the school's 21% graduation rate is the biggest threat to that math.
Your program choice decides everything here. Nursing pays the most of any track at the college, and the fire protection and allied health associate degrees both clear $50,000, giving you a clear line into South Portland-area hospitals, fire departments, and clinics. Electrical engineering technology and precision metal working feed directly into Maine's trades and manufacturing employers. These are the reasons to enroll. If you land in a general-studies or transfer track without a plan to move on, you have no earnings data to lean on and the return gets shaky.
The main financial risk is not finishing. Four out of five students here do not graduate on time, and dropping out with even a partial debt load and no credential is the worst outcome available. A two-year college only pays off if you leave with the degree.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $9,441. if it earns over $110,000, you pay roughly $15,949. That $6,500 spread is small in absolute terms, so higher-income families should compare this against a four-year public option.
This school fits you if you want a nursing, fire, allied health, or skilled-trades credential and plan to stay in southern Maine. Look elsewhere if you want a bachelor's-level career and have no concrete transfer plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Maine Community College worth the cost?
Southern Maine Community College offers decent value for specific career programs like nursing and fire protection, which lead to starting salaries around $50,000-56,000. However, the 21% graduation rate is concerning and means many students leave without completing their program.
What are the best paying programs at Southern Maine Community College?
Nursing programs at Southern Maine Community College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning around $56,000 annually. Fire protection and electrical engineering technology also offer good prospects at $53,000-49,000 starting salaries.
How much debt do Southern Maine Community College graduates have?
Southern Maine Community College graduates typically leave with $10,331 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load makes the school a reasonable choice for students who actually complete their programs.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Maine Community College?
Only 21% of students graduate from Southern Maine Community College within the expected timeframe. This low completion rate suggests many students struggle to finish their programs, which significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.