Northern Maine Community College vs. SMCC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, ME with Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Maine Community College is larger than Northern Maine Community College based on total student enrollment (7,900 students vs. 843 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Maine Community College is located in Presque Isle, ME (Remote Town setting); Southern Maine Community College is in South Portland, ME (Small City setting).
• Northern Maine Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southern Maine Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Maine Community College 12:1; Southern Maine Community College 20:1.

Northern Maine Community College vs. SMCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Maine Community College or SMCC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Maine Community College than SMCC ($8,135 vs. $14,341).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Maine Community College are 21.7% lower than at Southern Maine Community College ($8,598 vs. $10,974).
• Northern Maine Community College and SMCC have the same published in-state tuition ($4,156.00 vs. $4,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is the same at Northern Maine Community College as at Southern Maine Community College ($7,036.00 vs. $7,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Maine Community College than at Southern Maine Community College (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Maine Community College students is 29% larger than aid received by Southern Maine Community College students ($7,495 vs. $5,808).

Northern Maine Community College vs. SMCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Maine Community College or SMCC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMCC and Northern Maine Community College.

• Southern Maine Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Maine Community College - Not reported; SMCC - Open admission.

Northern Maine Community College vs. SMCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Maine Community College and SMCC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Southern Maine Community College earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Northern Maine Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Maine Community College graduates have a $700 lower median loan debt than Northern Maine Community College graduates ($11,300 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, SMCC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Maine Community College graduates ($116 vs. $124).
• More SMCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Maine Community College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.