Colby College vs Eastern Maine Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Eastern Maine Community College Bangor, ME | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +354% | -276% |
| 10-year net gain | $267,939 | $-60,591 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $79,364 | $41,138 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $42,756 | $46,875 |
| Average net price | $17,180 | $8,928 |
| Median debt | $19,157 | $11,293 |
| Break-even | 2.2 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 89% | — |
| Admission rate | 7% | — |
Colby College
Strong return
+$267,939 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Eastern Maine Community College
Poor return
$-60,591 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.