Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Eastern Maine Community College vs Washington County Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Bangor ME · vs · Public, Calais ME

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Eastern Maine Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,704 against a $17,856 total, vs $34,407 at Washington County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureEastern Maine Community CollegeWashington County Community College
Net price / yr$8,928$5,149
Total net cost$17,856$20,596
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,704$34,407
Median debt$11,293
Payback
20-year net return-$150,976-$299,656

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Eastern Maine Community College or Washington County Community College?

Washington County Community College, at $5,149 a year after aid versus $8,928 — a gap of $3,779 a year, or $2,740 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Eastern Maine Community College or Washington County Community College graduates earn more?

Eastern Maine Community College graduates report a median $41,704 ten years after entry, $7,297 more than the $34,407 at Washington County Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Washington County Community College, against 32% at Eastern Maine Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Eastern Maine Community College vs Washington County Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern Maine Community College or Washington County Community College a better value?
Eastern Maine Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Eastern Maine Community College or Washington County Community College?
Washington County Community College: $5,149/yr net price after aid versus $8,928/yr at Eastern Maine Community College — a difference of $3,779 a year, or about $2,740 over four years.
Do Eastern Maine Community College or Washington County Community College graduates earn more?
Eastern Maine Community College graduates earn a median $41,704 ten years after entry, versus $34,407 at Washington County Community College — a $7,297 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.