Skip to main content

Cheapest Economics Colleges in Maine

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Maine's Economics programs show a striking $19,000 gap between public and private options, yet graduates from elite institutions like Bowdoin earn $71,015 annually. The University of Southern Maine offers the most budget-friendly path at $11,729 net cost, while maintaining connections to Maine's healthcare and marine industry employers. Public universities accept over 85% of applicants compared to single-digit acceptance rates at private colleges, creating accessible entry points into Maine's economy where Bath Iron Works and MaineHealth drive employment.
5
Programs
$11,729 – $30,703
Net Price Range
$57,144
Avg. Program Earnings
75.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Economics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,729 $10,920 46.3% 85.4%
2 $18,045 $12,606 56.4% 94.0%
3 $20,786 $64,910 95.6% 9.2%
4 $23,939 $66,600 90.2% 7.6%
5 $30,703 $63,478 90.6% 13.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between Maine Economics programs?

Bowdoin College graduates earn $71,015 compared to $41,565 from University of Southern Maine, a $29,450 difference. Private colleges maintain stronger alumni networks and recruit from selective applicant pools, with Bowdoin accepting only 9.19% of students versus Southern Maine's 85.43% acceptance rate.

How do graduation rates compare across Maine's most affordable Economics options?

The University of Southern Maine graduates 46.30% of students while costing just $11,729 annually. Private colleges achieve 90-95% graduation rates but cost $20,786 to $30,703 after aid, suggesting higher completion rates correlate with increased financial investment.

Does choosing a public university mean taking on more debt in Maine?

University of Maine students graduate with $22,984 in debt compared to Bates College's remarkably low $13,000 average. Despite higher sticker prices, private colleges often provide generous aid packages that can result in lower debt loads for qualifying students.

More Economics Rankings

Best Value Economics in Maine Economics Under $20,000 in Maine

Related

All Economics Programs Best Colleges in Maine Best Economics in Maine

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.