Do Students Succeed at Southern Maine Community College?
Graduation rates, transfer data, and student outcome analysis for Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, ME.
Student Success at Southern Maine Community College at a Glance
Southern Maine Community College is a public institution offering at least 2 but less than 4 years programs located in South Portland, ME. Current enrollment is 7,900 students.
- 28.2% overall graduation rate (IPEDS)
- 27.7% of all entering students earn their award within 8 years
- 73% of exiters from its largest program (Business Administration) were employed within 6 months — verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
- DOL-verified median earnings of $8,878 per quarter after exiting Business Administration
- 970 graduates across 53 programs in 2025
- VA-approved for GI Bill benefits — 209 students used them here (Yellow Ribbon participant)
Program-Level Results · Verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
Verified Program Outcomes
Completion and employment results reported to the U.S. Department of Labor for Southern Maine Community College programs on the state Eligible Training Provider List. Missing values ("—") mean the state suppressed or did not report that metric — they never mean zero.
| Program | Completion rate | Employed 6 mo after exit | Employed 1 yr after exit | Median quarterly earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 40% | 73% | 71% | $8,878 |
| Nursing | 92% | 88% | 52% | $17,939 |
| Paramedicine | 85% | 70% | 6% | $7,442 |
| Electrical Tech | 41% | 86% | 82% | $10,278 |
| Cyber Security | 47% | 79% | 81% | $10,099 |
| Introduction to Welding | 94% | 67% | — | $4,736 |
| Electrician Technology Certficate | 49% | 72% | 73% | $10,293 |
| Architectural and Engineering Design | 26% | 80% | 70% | $8,470 |
| Early Childhood Education | 35% | 85% | 89% | $7,234 |
| Criminal Justice | 42% | 74% | 66% | $6,424 |
| Communications and New Media | 49% | 62% | — | $3,731 |
| Human Services - Associate in Applied Science | 20% | 71% | 63% | $9,297 |
| Culinary Arts | 19% | 56% | 69% | $7,278 |
| Marine Sciences | 44% | 77% | 67% | $4,462 |
| Automotive Technology | 25% | 75% | 72% | $10,015 |
| Fire Science Technology | 45% | 63% | 59% | $8,976 |
| Medical Assisting | 32% | 87% | 77% | $7,624 |
| Fire Science | 53% | — | — | — |
| Construction Technology | 50% | 59% | 44% | $7,441 |
| Respiratory Therapy | 52% | 88% | 63% | $9,920 |
| Information Technology | 57% | 50% | — | $8,651 |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | 44% | 68% | 67% | $5,705 |
| Behavioral Health and Human Services | 30% | 67% | 75% | $7,070 |
| Precision Machining & Manufacturing | 79% | 50% | 33% | $5,888 |
| Cardiovascular Technology | 96% | 67% | 32% | $20,923 |
| Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration - AS | 47% | 75% | — | $11,911 |
| Biotechnology - Associate in Applied Science | 44% | 100% | — | $7,172 |
| Radiography Technology | 86% | — | — | — |
| HVAC 802 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | 70% | — | — | — |
| Automotive Certificate in Chassis and Electronics | — | 75% | 75% | $8,358 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA participant outcomes (trainingproviderresults.gov), PY 2023.
College-Wide Statistics · IPEDS Federal Survey
What Are the Student Outcomes at Southern Maine Community College?
Unlike the program-level results above, the figures below cover all students at Southern Maine Community College, tracked over eight years by the federal IPEDS survey.
Overall Completion Rate
27.7%
Working Student Success
29%
Transfer Out Rate
26.1%
Still Enrolled Rate
1.1%
How Southern Maine Community College Compares
Southern Maine Community College's 28% completion rate is right in the typical band for trade and vocational schools — most peer institutions land somewhere in the 30–50% range. Another 26% transfer out and 1% remain enrolled; these together usually account for the bulk of the cohort, with only a smaller share leaving without a clear next step.
What Happens After Students Enroll at Southern Maine Community College?
Eight-Year Student Outcomes
Eight-year outcomes for students who entered Southern Maine Community College. This shows what happened to students in their cohort by the end of the tracking period.
Understanding These Outcomes
Completed: Students who earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from this institution.
Still Enrolled: Students who remain enrolled at this institution after the tracking period.
Transferred Out: Students who transferred to another institution and may have completed there.
No Award: Students who left without earning a credential and are not enrolled elsewhere.
Combined completion and transfer rate of 42.9% indicates strong student success pathways.
These outcomes track what happened to students eight years after they first enrolled. Completion rates include certificates, diplomas, and degrees earned at this institution. Transfer rates show students who continued their education at other colleges. Understanding these pathways helps prospective students set realistic expectations and plan their educational journey.
What Are the Transfer and Continuation Patterns at Southern Maine Community College?
Success Rates by Student Entry Pathway
Comparing completion rates across different student entry pathways helps understand which groups succeed and how transfer experience impacts outcomes.
Key Insights
First-time and transfer students achieve similar completion rates, indicating equitable support regardless of entry pathway.
Combined 28.5% transfer-out rate suggests this institution may serve as a stepping stone for students continuing their education elsewhere.
Cohort Composition
Understanding Student Pathways
First-Time Students: Beginning postsecondary education for the first time at this institution.
Transfer-In Students: Previously attended another postsecondary institution before enrolling here.
Continuing Students: Returned to this institution after a break in enrollment.
Completion rates tracked over 8 years from initial entry.
Different student entry pathways lead to varying success rates. First-time students enter directly from high school or are starting college for the first time. Transfer students bring prior college experience and credits. Understanding these patterns helps you identify which pathway aligns best with your situation and predict your likelihood of success.
What Are the Completion Rates by Student Type at Southern Maine Community College?
What does this mean for you? These completion rates show how different types of students succeed at this institution. Notably, part-time students have a higher success rate here (29% vs 26.4% for full-time), which is great news if you plan to work while studying. This pattern is common at trade colleges where programs are designed to accommodate working adults. First-time students are those new to college, while transfer students have attended another institution before.
What Are the Cohort Outcomes Over Time at Southern Maine Community College?
Tracking outcomes for the 2015-16 cohort of 2,278 students
After 4 Years
After 6 Years
After 8 Years (Final)
Final Student Status
Completion Breakdown by Cohort
Part-time First-time Students
Full-time First-time Transfer Students
All First-time Transfer Students
Part-time First-time Transfer Students
All First-time Students
All Part-time Students
Full-time First-time Students
Part-time Non-first-time Transfer Students
Time to Completion
About This Data
Outcome measures data tracks student cohorts over 4, 6, and 8-year periods. Data is sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and reflects the most recent available reporting year.