At $37,109/yr net price, University of New England graduates earn $55,921/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,921/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $37,109 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $148,436 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,921/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,921/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $33,195/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $33,547/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,278/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,033/yr |
| $110,001+ | $40,310/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 | $182,280 | $144,882 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $126,504 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $124,217 | $253,897 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $102,919 | $154,447 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Doctoral | $86,550 | $47,436 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $70,344 | $18,097 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $68,024 | $168,367 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $66,922 | $111,205 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,806 | $26,000 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $59,097 | $312,574 |
The Risk Factor
60.8% of students at University of New England graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of New England runs a high-cost, health-focused model, and whether it pays off depends almost entirely on your major. At roughly $37k a year in net price, you're paying private-college rates, and the median graduate earning under $56k a decade out means the average outcome barely justifies the sticker.
Nursing is where the money is here. At $63,806, it out-earns every other bachelor's program on the list and carries debt in line with cheaper majors, so the return is real if you can get into and finish the program. Dental support and allied health land in the mid-$50s, which is a reasonable trade against the cost given Maine's steady demand for clinical workers. From there the picture drops off fast. Business grads earn around $42k, teacher education under $40k, and biology at $34,420 with $27,000 in debt is the worst combination on the page. If you major in biology here expecting to stop at a bachelor's, the math does not work.
The specific risk is that UNE's price is flat and high no matter your program, but earnings are not. You pay the same to study biology as nursing, and only one of those clears the debt comfortably. A 60.8% grad rate and 74.6% retention also mean a meaningful share of you leave with debt and no degree.
The net price tiers make this stark: families earning under $48k still pay around $33k a year, barely below what the highest earners pay. There's little price break for lower incomes here.
This school fits you if you're committed to nursing or a clinical health path. If you're headed into biology, teaching, or general business, the cost outpaces the payoff and you should compare a cheaper public option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of New England worth the cost?
University of New England's high net price of $37,109 annually leads to modest 10-year earnings of $55,921, making the ROI questionable for most programs. Only nursing and pharmacy programs show strong earning potential that justifies the cost.
What are the best paying majors at University of New England?
Registered nursing graduates earn the highest at $182,280 after 10 years, followed by education programs at $126,504. Most other programs result in significantly lower earnings relative to the school's cost.
How much debt do University of New England graduates have?
The median debt is $25,250, which is manageable for nursing and pharmacy graduates but creates financial strain for graduates in lower-paying fields. With a 60.8% graduation rate, many students leave without completing their degree.
Does University of New England have good financial aid?
Despite the 96.3% acceptance rate suggesting less selectivity in aid, the net price remains high at over $37,000 annually. Students should carefully evaluate whether their chosen program's earning potential justifies this cost.