University of Maine — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Maine charges a net price of $17,510/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $70,040. Graduates earn a median $48,653 ten years after entry, $293/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 239 years — a 20-year net return of -$64,180, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Maine's 239-year payback ranks #1,261 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 2% of them, and #10 of 27 in Maine.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,510/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $70,040 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,653 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $293/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 239 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$64,180 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Maine's own numbers. Net price $17,510 × 4 years = $70,040 total. Median earnings $48,653 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $293 a year of premium. $70,040 ÷ $293 = 239 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$64,180. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Maine students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 51% of the $48,653 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Maine students graduate?
55% finish their degree — 45% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $70,040 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $127,345 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Maine expensive compared with other Maine colleges?
Its $17,510 net price runs $330 above the $17,180 median across the 27 Maine colleges we profile, or $1,320 more across the full degree.