Southern Maine Community College vs University of Southern Maine: which has better ROI?
University of Southern Maine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,384 in 34 years versus not at all at Southern Maine Community College, on median earnings of $49,958 vs $41,661 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Maine Community College | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,086 | $13,596 |
| Total net cost | $22,172 | $54,384 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,661 | $49,958 |
| Median debt | $10,331 | $19,060 |
| Payback | — | 34 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$156,152 | -$22,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern Maine Community College or University of Southern Maine?
Southern Maine Community College, at $11,086 a year after aid versus $13,596 — a gap of $2,510 a year, or $32,212 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Southern Maine Community College or University of Southern Maine graduates earn more?
University of Southern Maine graduates report a median $49,958 ten years after entry, $8,297 more than the $41,661 at Southern Maine 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, Southern Maine Community College or University of Southern Maine?
Southern Maine Community College: its completers carry a median $10,331 in federal loans versus $19,060 at University of Southern Maine, a difference of $8,729. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at University of Southern Maine, against 28% at Southern 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.