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Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, Maine · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106 · Phone: (207) 741-5500 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southern Maine Community College is a public trade school in South Portland, Maine, offering medical assistant, auto mechanic, and electrician programs, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Southern Maine Community College has a 28.2% completion rate, below the state average of 56.7%, with median graduate debt of $10,331 and median earnings of $41,661 ten years after entry.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; federal financial aid (Title IV) can be used here, and about 29.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $40,220 | $47,580 | $51,460 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,420 | $52,040 | $61,970 |
| Electricians | $54,180 | $75,380 | $84,390 |
| Machinists | $45,760 | $59,160 | $72,640 |
| Construction laborers | $36,190 | $46,430 | $53,070 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $47,090 | $63,170 | $76,920 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $48,120 | $64,000 | $75,720 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $62,210 | $80,080 | $92,410 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,210 | $46,340 | $49,080 |
| Surgical technologists | $48,330 | $62,860 | $75,270 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $48,430 | $57,010 | $63,060 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Maine (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | $34,219 | $30,771 | $12,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 11 | $55,264 | $50,856 | $14,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 11 | $55,264 | $50,856 | $14,000 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | $32,925 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | $42,235 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | $44,170 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | $55,264 | $50,856 | $14,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 4 | $32,093 | $29,322 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Construction Trades, Other | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Southern Maine Community College is a public trade and career campus in South Portland, Maine, located in a small city setting. It participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and it holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education, along with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Across 19 program families, the campus most commonly awards credentials in medical assistant programs (29 completions), auto mechanic schools (22), and electrician schools (20), alongside offerings in CNC machining, construction trades, HVAC, plumbing, radiology tech, EMT training, surgical tech, and culinary arts.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 28.2%, which is below the state average of 56.7%. Graduates carry a median debt of $10,331, and median earnings ten years after entry are $41,661. About 29.6% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 162 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 5,675, this campus serves a mix of shorter career-training programs and longer associate-degree paths across trades like electrical, automotive, and healthcare fields. The range of program lengths suggests options for both first-time students and adult career-changers, though specific scheduling details are not reported here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcome data directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southern Maine Community College offers 19 program families, most commonly medical assistant programs, auto mechanic schools, and electrician schools, along with HVAC, plumbing, CNC machining, construction trades, radiology tech, EMT training, surgical tech, and culinary programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, with additional program-level accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, and about 29.6% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 28.2%, which is below the Maine state average of 56.7%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,331, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $41,661, per federal Scorecard data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public college, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and Title IV eligibility, as confirmed for this campus.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data, though the mix of certificate and associate-level trade programs suggests both shorter and longer completion paths.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcome data through the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?161545 or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not directly address career-changer fit, but the range of shorter trade certificates and associate-degree programs may suit adults seeking flexible entry points; contact the school to confirm scheduling options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly for program-specific certification and licensure information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southern Maine Community College at (207) 741-5500 or through its website, https://www.smccme.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Maine
- Empire Beauty School-MainePortland, ME · 67% completion
- Kennebec Valley Community CollegeFairfield, ME · 39% completion
- Eastern Maine Community CollegeBangor, ME · 32% completion
- Northeast Technical InstituteScarborough, ME · 90% completion
- Northern Maine Community CollegePresque Isle, ME · 42% completion
- Central Maine Community CollegeAuburn, ME · 30% completion
- Maine College of Health ProfessionsLewiston, ME · college
- Washington County Community CollegeCalais, ME · 55% completion
See all trade and career schools in Maine or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.