University of Southern Maine — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Southern Maine charges a net price of $13,596/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $54,384. Graduates earn a median $49,958 ten years after entry, $1,598/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 34 years — a 20-year net return of -$22,424, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Southern Maine's 34-year payback ranks #1,148 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 10% of them, and #9 of 27 in Maine.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $13,596/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $54,384 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,958 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,598/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,060 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 34 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$22,424 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Southern Maine's own numbers. Net price $13,596 × 4 years = $54,384 total. Median earnings $49,958 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,598 a year of premium. $54,384 ÷ $1,598 = 34 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$22,424. 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 Southern Maine students graduate with?
A median $19,060 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $49,958 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Southern Maine students graduate?
40% finish their degree — 60% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $54,384 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $135,960 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Southern Maine expensive compared with other Maine colleges?
Its $13,596 net price runs $3,584 below the $17,180 median across the 27 Maine colleges we profile, and $14,336 less across the full degree.