Maine Maritime Academy vs University of Maine at Fort Kent: which has better ROI?
Maine Maritime Academy has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,656 in 2.3 years versus 11 years at University of Maine at Fort Kent, on median earnings of $89,964 vs $51,077 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Maine Maritime Academy | University of Maine at Fort Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,414 | $7,482 |
| Total net cost | $93,656 | $29,928 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $89,964 | $51,077 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $20,160 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | 11 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $738,424 | $24,412 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Maine Maritime Academy or University of Maine at Fort Kent?
University of Maine at Fort Kent, at $7,482 a year after aid versus $23,414 — a gap of $15,932 a year, or $63,728 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Maine Maritime Academy or University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates earn more?
Maine Maritime Academy graduates report a median $89,964 ten years after entry, $38,887 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, Maine Maritime Academy or University of Maine at Fort Kent?
University of Maine at Fort Kent: its completers carry a median $20,160 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Maine Maritime Academy, a difference of $6,840. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Maine Maritime Academy, 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.