Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 44.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 46.3%
- Retention Rate
- 75.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $49,958
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $19,060
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 65.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $202/mo
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 | $95,169 | $58,206 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,493 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,728 | $30,933 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,673 | $30,648 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,422 | $20,017 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $55,594 | $85,950 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $54,869 | $16,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $51,690 | $53,684 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $50,231 | $19,488 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Master | $49,644 | $31,571 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $45,852 | $18,110 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $45,767 | $20,500 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $43,240 | $42,720 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,160 | $18,625 |
| Social Work. | Master | $42,203 | $31,850 |
Outcomes Overview
USM graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $19,060, creating monthly payments of $202. This represents about 5% of typical monthly earnings based on the median salary of $49,958 after ten years. The 96.5% employment rate reflects strong job placement in Maine's growing healthcare and education sectors. Many graduates stay local, benefiting from Portland's emerging tech scene and established healthcare networks. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.38 sits well below the concerning 0.5 threshold financial experts recommend. With affordable in-state tuition keeping borrowing manageable and solid career outcomes in practical fields, USM delivers a strong return on investment for Maine residents seeking accessible higher education.