Degree Dividend
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Northern Maine Community College vs Beal University: which has better ROI?

Public, Presque Isle ME · vs · Private for-profit, Bangor ME

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northern Maine Community College comes closer — median earnings $43,348 against a $14,362 total, vs $35,639 at Beal University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorthern Maine Community CollegeBeal University
Net price / yr$7,181$40,109
Total net cost$14,362$80,218
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,348$35,639
Median debt$10,825$19,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$114,602-$334,638

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

Which is cheaper, Northern Maine Community College or Beal University?

Northern Maine Community College, at $7,181 a year after aid versus $40,109 — a gap of $32,928 a year, or $65,856 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Northern Maine Community College or Beal University graduates earn more?

Northern Maine Community College graduates report a median $43,348 ten years after entry, $7,709 more than the $35,639 at Beal University. 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, Northern Maine Community College or Beal University?

Northern Maine Community College: its completers carry a median $10,825 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Beal University, a difference of $8,675. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

42% of students finish at Northern Maine Community College, against 36% at Beal University. 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.

Northern Maine Community College vs Beal University: frequently asked questions

Is Northern Maine Community College or Beal University a better value?
Northern 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, Northern Maine Community College or Beal University?
Northern Maine Community College: $7,181/yr net price after aid versus $40,109/yr at Beal University — a difference of $32,928 a year, or about $65,856 over four years.
Do Northern Maine Community College or Beal University graduates earn more?
Northern Maine Community College graduates earn a median $43,348 ten years after entry, versus $35,639 at Beal University — a $7,709 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.