Portland, ME · Private University
Is University of Southern Maine Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$49,958
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,920
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,104
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$108,416
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.84x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
46.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,060
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,729
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Southern Maine graduates earn $4,958 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 Southern Maine ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
26 graduates
23 graduates
230 graduates
36 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Southern 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 Southern Maine, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $93,956) and the lowest (Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services: $27,895) is $66,061/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $93,956 | 3.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $81,923 | 3.0x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $67,956 | 2.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,969 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,999 | 2.1x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $57,411 | 2.1x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $56,503 | 2.1x |
| Criminology | $56,423 | 2.1x |
| Biology, General | $55,424 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,243 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $51,073 | 1.9x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $49,173 | 1.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,192 | 1.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services(1yr data) | $47,393 | 1.8x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $47,324 | 1.8x |
| Social Work | $43,568 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,007 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,643 | 1.5x |
| Psychology, General | $36,601 | 1.4x |
| History | $36,574 | 1.4x |
| Social Sciences, Other | $36,300 | 1.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,875 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $34,843 | 1.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $34,465 | 1.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management(1yr data) | $29,924 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,512 | 1.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness(1yr data) | $29,478 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesLowest(1yr data) | $27,895 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Southern Maine offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,958 10 years after starting, $4,958 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
Ready to apply to University of Southern Maine?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
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.