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Saint Joseph's College of Maine vs University of Maine at Fort Kent: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Saint Joseph's College of Maine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $110,220 in 10.3 years versus 11 years at University of Maine at Fort Kent, on median earnings of $59,045 vs $51,077 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSaint Joseph's College of MaineUniversity of Maine at Fort Kent
Net price / yr$27,555$7,482
Total net cost$110,220$29,928
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,045$51,077
Median debt$27,000$20,160
Payback10.3 yrs11 yrs
20-year net return$103,480$24,412

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

Which is cheaper, Saint Joseph's College of Maine or University of Maine at Fort Kent?

University of Maine at Fort Kent, at $7,482 a year after aid versus $27,555 — a gap of $20,073 a year, or $80,292 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Saint Joseph's College of Maine or University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates earn more?

Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates report a median $59,045 ten years after entry, $7,968 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, Saint Joseph's College of Maine 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine, 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?

66% of students finish at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, 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.

Saint Joseph's College of Maine vs University of Maine at Fort Kent: frequently asked questions

Is Saint Joseph's College of Maine or University of Maine at Fort Kent a better value?
Saint Joseph's College of Maine. It clears its $110,220 net cost in about 10.3 years versus 11 years at University of Maine at Fort Kent, on median earnings of $59,045 vs $51,077 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Saint Joseph's College of Maine or University of Maine at Fort Kent?
University of Maine at Fort Kent: $7,482/yr net price after aid versus $27,555/yr at Saint Joseph's College of Maine — a difference of $20,073 a year, or about $80,292 over four years.
Do Saint Joseph's College of Maine or University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates earn a median $59,045 ten years after entry, versus $51,077 at University of Maine at Fort Kent — a $7,968 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.