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Bates College vs University of Maine at Fort Kent: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lewiston ME · vs · Public, Fort Kent ME

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Bates College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $117,404 in 5.6 years versus 11 years at University of Maine at Fort Kent, on median earnings of $69,498 vs $51,077 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBates CollegeUniversity of Maine at Fort Kent
Net price / yr$29,351$7,482
Total net cost$117,404$29,928
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,498$51,077
Median debt$14,275$20,160
Payback5.6 yrs11 yrs
20-year net return$305,356$24,412

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bates College or University of Maine at Fort Kent?

University of Maine at Fort Kent, at $7,482 a year after aid versus $29,351 — a gap of $21,869 a year, or $87,476 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bates College or University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates earn more?

Bates College graduates report a median $69,498 ten years after entry, $18,421 more than the $51,077 at University of Maine at Fort Kent. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Bates College or University of Maine at Fort Kent?

Bates College: its completers carry a median $14,275 in federal loans versus $20,160 at University of Maine at Fort Kent, a difference of $5,885. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

90% of students finish at Bates College, against 39% at University of Maine at Fort Kent. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bates College vs University of Maine at Fort Kent: frequently asked questions

Is Bates College or University of Maine at Fort Kent a better value?
Bates College. It clears its $117,404 net cost in about 5.6 years versus 11 years at University of Maine at Fort Kent, on median earnings of $69,498 vs $51,077 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Bates College or University of Maine at Fort Kent?
University of Maine at Fort Kent: $7,482/yr net price after aid versus $29,351/yr at Bates College — a difference of $21,869 a year, or about $87,476 over four years.
Do Bates College or University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates earn more?
Bates College graduates earn a median $69,498 ten years after entry, versus $51,077 at University of Maine at Fort Kent — a $18,421 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.