At $11,353/yr net price, University of Maine at Augusta graduates earn $40,342/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,342/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,353 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $45,412 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,342/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,342/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,734 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,744/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,167/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,676/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,470/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,913/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. | Bachelor | $53,358 | $27,627 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $49,937 | $26,646 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $49,918 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $33,637 | $24,014 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $26,514 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $33,138 | $14,489 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $29,956 | $20,826 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $29,374 | $27,704 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $29,092 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $27,010 |
The Risk Factor
23.3% of students at University of Maine at Augusta graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
University of Maine at Augusta gives you a low sticker price and a real chance to leave with manageable debt, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At around $11,000 a year net, this is one of the cheaper four-year options in Maine, and median debt sits below what you'd owe at most private schools. The problem is what happens after you graduate: median earnings ten years out land near $40,000, which is a weak return for a four-year degree.
The split between programs is stark. Nursing and computer science both clear $49,000, and those are the two majors worth coming here for. Nursing carries the highest debt of any program on the list, but $53,000 in earnings backs it up. Business, accounting, and liberal arts all land in the low-to-mid $30,000s, which is barely above what you might earn without the degree, and accounting graduates carry over $26,000 in debt to get there. If you enroll in one of those, the math stops working.
The bigger risk here is finishing at all. A 23% graduation rate and a 63% retention rate mean most students who start don't graduate, and a partial degree with loans attached is the worst outcome. The low net price only helps you if you make it to a diploma.
Net price barely moves across income levels, running about $10,000 for families under $48,000 and rising to roughly $15,000 for families over $110,000. Lower-income families get a modest break but not a dramatic one.
Come here for nursing or computer science, commit to finishing, and keep your borrowing tight. If you're aiming at business, accounting, or general studies, the earnings don't justify the debt, and you should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Maine at Augusta worth the cost?
University of Maine at Augusta offers a low net price of $11,353 annually, but graduates earn only $40,342 ten years after enrollment. The 23% graduation rate means most students don't finish their degree, making the investment risky despite the affordable tuition.
What are the best paying majors at University of Maine at Augusta?
Nursing programs at University of Maine at Augusta lead to the highest earnings at around $53,000 annually, followed by computer science at nearly $50,000. Business and accounting graduates typically earn in the low $30,000s, which barely exceeds the median debt of $22,734.
How much debt do University of Maine at Augusta graduates have?
University of Maine at Augusta graduates leave with a median debt of $22,734. While this debt level is manageable for nursing and computer science graduates, it represents a significant burden for business majors earning in the low $30,000s.
Does University of Maine at Augusta have a good graduation rate?
University of Maine at Augusta has a 23% graduation rate, meaning fewer than one in four students complete their degree. This low completion rate significantly increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a credential.