Degree Dividend
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Kennebec Valley Community College vs Washington County Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Fairfield ME · vs · Public, Calais ME

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kennebec Valley Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,035 against a $7,820 total, vs $34,407 at Washington County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureKennebec Valley Community CollegeWashington County Community College
Net price / yr$3,910$5,149
Total net cost$7,820$20,596
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,035$34,407
Median debt$13,255
Payback
20-year net return-$254,320-$299,656

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

Which is cheaper, Kennebec Valley Community College or Washington County Community College?

Kennebec Valley Community College, at $3,910 a year after aid versus $5,149 — a gap of $1,239 a year, or $12,776 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Kennebec Valley Community College or Washington County Community College graduates earn more?

Kennebec Valley Community College graduates report a median $36,035 ten years after entry, $1,628 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 39% at Kennebec Valley 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.

Kennebec Valley Community College vs Washington County Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Kennebec Valley Community College or Washington County Community College a better value?
Kennebec Valley 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, Kennebec Valley Community College or Washington County Community College?
Kennebec Valley Community College: $3,910/yr net price after aid versus $5,149/yr at Washington County Community College — a difference of $1,239 a year, or about $12,776 over four years.
Do Kennebec Valley Community College or Washington County Community College graduates earn more?
Kennebec Valley Community College graduates earn a median $36,035 ten years after entry, versus $34,407 at Washington County Community College — a $1,628 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.