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

Public, Fairfield ME · vs · Public, Wells ME

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but York County Community College comes closer — median earnings $44,873 against a $11,750 total, vs $36,035 at Kennebec Valley Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureKennebec Valley Community CollegeYork County Community College
Net price / yr$3,910$5,875
Total net cost$7,820$11,750
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,035$44,873
Median debt$13,255$8,861
Payback
20-year net return-$254,320-$81,490

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

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

Kennebec Valley Community College, at $3,910 a year after aid versus $5,875 — a gap of $1,965 a year, or $3,930 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 York County Community College graduates earn more?

York County Community College graduates report a median $44,873 ten years after entry, $8,838 more than the $36,035 at Kennebec Valley 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 leaves students with less debt, Kennebec Valley Community College or York County Community College?

York County Community College: its completers carry a median $8,861 in federal loans versus $13,255 at Kennebec Valley Community College, a difference of $4,394. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

39% of students finish at Kennebec Valley Community College, against 34% at York County 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 York County Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Kennebec Valley Community College or York County Community College a better value?
York County 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 York County Community College?
Kennebec Valley Community College: $3,910/yr net price after aid versus $5,875/yr at York County Community College — a difference of $1,965 a year, or about $3,930 over four years.
Do Kennebec Valley Community College or York County Community College graduates earn more?
York County Community College graduates earn a median $44,873 ten years after entry, versus $36,035 at Kennebec Valley Community College — a $8,838 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.