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

Private nonprofit, Waterville 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

Colby College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,720 in 2.1 years versus 11 years at University of Maine at Fort Kent, on median earnings of $80,490 vs $51,077 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColby CollegeUniversity of Maine at Fort Kent
Net price / yr$17,180$7,482
Total net cost$68,720$29,928
Median earnings, 10 yrs$80,490$51,077
Median debt$19,157$20,160
Payback2.1 yrs11 yrs
20-year net return$573,880$24,412

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

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

University of Maine at Fort Kent, at $7,482 a year after aid versus $17,180 — a gap of $9,698 a year, or $38,792 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Colby College graduates report a median $80,490 ten years after entry, $29,413 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, Colby College or University of Maine at Fort Kent?

Colby College: its completers carry a median $19,157 in federal loans versus $20,160 at University of Maine at Fort Kent, a difference of $1,003. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

89% of students finish at Colby 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.

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

Is Colby College or University of Maine at Fort Kent a better value?
Colby College. It clears its $68,720 net cost in about 2.1 years versus 11 years at University of Maine at Fort Kent, on median earnings of $80,490 vs $51,077 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Colby College or University of Maine at Fort Kent?
University of Maine at Fort Kent: $7,482/yr net price after aid versus $17,180/yr at Colby College — a difference of $9,698 a year, or about $38,792 over four years.
Do Colby College or University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates earn more?
Colby College graduates earn a median $80,490 ten years after entry, versus $51,077 at University of Maine at Fort Kent — a $29,413 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.