At $18,045/yr net price, University of Maine graduates earn $48,653/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,653/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,045 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $72,180 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,653/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,653/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,800/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,707/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,408/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,101/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,756/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,737 | $25,528 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,509 | $19,750 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $68,499 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,775 | $26,073 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,218 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,673 | $20,500 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $26,411 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $26,716 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $52,464 | $26,975 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $45,808 | $22,984 |
The Risk Factor
56.4% of students at University of Maine graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
University of Maine delivers solid ROI for engineering students but struggles financially in most other programs. The $18,000 annual net price creates manageable debt loads, but median earnings of $48,653 ten years after graduation fall below national averages for four-year degree holders.
Engineering programs justify your investment here. Electrical engineering graduates earn $73,737 annually with typical debt around $25,500, creating strong payback potential. Chemical and mechanical engineering also deliver solid returns above $62,000. Nursing graduates earn $61,218, making it the only non-engineering program with strong financial prospects.
The 56% graduation rate poses significant financial risk. Nearly half of students leave without degrees but often carry debt. The 77% retention rate suggests many students struggle after freshman year, potentially due to academic preparation gaps or financial pressures.
You should consider Maine if you plan to study engineering and want to avoid the higher costs of private technical schools. The combination of reasonable tuition and strong engineering job placement in New England creates favorable math. Maine also works if you qualify for substantial need-based aid, as only 22% of students receive federal aid, suggesting most families pay close to full price.
Avoid Maine for liberal arts majors unless you have specific career plans requiring a degree. The regional job market limits opportunities for non-technical graduates, and earning $48,000 with $25,000 in debt creates a lengthy payback period. Out-of-state students face particularly poor ROI given higher costs and limited post-graduation earning potential in Maine's economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Maine worth the cost?
University of Maine offers reasonable value with a net price of $18,045 and median debt of $25,000, but the 10-year median earnings of $48,653 are below national averages. Engineering and nursing graduates see much better returns, while other majors may struggle to justify the investment.
What are the best paying majors at University of Maine?
Engineering programs at University of Maine deliver strong ROI, with electrical engineers earning around $73,737 and chemical engineers making $72,509 within 10 years. Nursing also pays well at $61,218, but most other programs fall well below these levels.
How much student debt do University of Maine graduates have?
University of Maine graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable for engineering and nursing majors but may be problematic for other programs given the school's below-average earning outcomes.
What is the graduation rate at University of Maine and does it affect ROI?
University of Maine has a 56% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't finish their degree. This significantly hurts ROI since students who don't graduate still carry debt but miss out on the degree premium in earnings.