Orono, ME · Private University
Is University of Maine Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$48,653
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,606
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$35,346
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$141,384
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.38x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
10.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
56.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,045
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Maine graduates earn $3,653 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Maine ranked by graduate earnings
25 graduates
55 graduates
22 graduates
29 graduates
107 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Maine
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Maine, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $92,847) and the lowest (Anthropology: $23,341) is $69,506/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $92,847 | 2.6x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $85,676 | 2.4x |
| Chemical Engineering | $84,073 | 2.4x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $77,046 | 2.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,807 | 2.2x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $76,295 | 2.2x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $75,282 | 2.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,443 | 2.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $66,087 | 1.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $65,384 | 1.9x |
| Economics | $62,824 | 1.8x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $59,864 | 1.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $57,652 | 1.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $57,333 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,998 | 1.6x |
| Marine Sciences | $55,546 | 1.6x |
| Marketing | $53,721 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,668 | 1.5x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $52,133 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,096 | 1.5x |
| Animal Sciences | $49,452 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,374 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,293 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $46,674 | 1.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,377 | 1.3x |
| Forestry(1yr data) | $43,901 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,716 | 1.2x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $41,768 | 1.2x |
| Food Science and Technology | $41,039 | 1.2x |
| Social Work | $40,842 | 1.2x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $40,508 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,208 | 1.1x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $37,074 | 1.1x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies(1yr data) | $35,337 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $35,249 | 1.0x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology(1yr data) | $35,130 | 1.0x |
| History(1yr data) | $31,357 | 0.9x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $30,283 | 0.9x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $28,704 | 0.8x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(1yr data) | $23,828 | 0.7x |
| AnthropologyLowest(1yr data) | $23,341 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Maine delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $48,653 10 years after starting, $3,653 above the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 10.4 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.