At $24,666/yr net price, Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates earn $59,045/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,045/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,666 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,664 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,045/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,045/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,105/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,805/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,494/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,369/yr |
| $110,001+ | $38,452/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $96,829 | $37,478 |
| Public Health. | Master | $64,990 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,934 | $27,000 |
| Education, General. | Master | $49,840 | $24,459 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,485 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,298 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
68.5% of students at Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Saint Joseph's College of Maine gives you a mixed financial return that hinges almost entirely on your major. The $59,045 median earnings ten years out clears the $27,000 median debt, and a 68.5% grad rate with 80% retention means most of you finish and pay it down. But that median hides a wide gap between programs.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $60,000 and carries the same $27,000 debt everyone else takes on, so your return is strong and your regional job market in Maine and New England reliably hires nurses. Everything else pays less against that identical debt load. Business grads land near $40,000. Both teacher education tracks are worse: one pays about $34,000, the other around $25,000. Health and physical education sits near $30,000. If you borrow the full $27,000 for a teaching degree that pays in the mid-$20,000s, your debt-to-income math is rough, and Maine teacher salaries won't rescue it fast.
The specific risk here is picking a low-earning major at private-college prices. The net price is $24,666, so a teacher education path costs the same to attend as nursing but returns half the income.
The net price tiers are the other warning. Aid at this school gets thinner as income climbs, but the lowest bracket still pays over $22,000, and every bracket above $30k pays roughly $30,000 or more. Families earning $48k to $75k pay more than $31,000 a year, close to the sticker for higher earners.
This school is a good fit for you if you're entering nursing. If you want a teaching or health education degree, run the debt numbers against the mid-$20,000s to low-$30,000s salaries first, and consider a cheaper public option in Maine before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Joseph's College of Maine worth the debt?
With median debt of $27,000 and average earnings of $59,045 after 10 years, graduates typically earn enough to manage their debt load reasonably well. However, this depends heavily on your major - nursing graduates earn significantly more than education or business majors.
What programs at Saint Joseph's College of Maine have the best ROI?
Nursing programs offer the strongest return, with graduates earning around $60,000-$97,000 depending on specialization. Public health majors earn about $65,000, while education and business graduates face lower earning potential at $40,000-$50,000.
How does Saint Joseph's College of Maine's graduation rate affect its value?
The 68.5% graduation rate means about one in three students don't finish, which significantly reduces ROI for those who leave with debt but no degree. Students should carefully consider their academic preparation before enrolling.
Is Saint Joseph's College of Maine overpriced for what you get?
At $24,666 net price annually, the cost is reasonable for a private college, especially for nursing students who see strong earnings. For other majors with lower earning potential, the value proposition becomes questionable.