Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Unity Environmental University vs University of Southern Maine: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New Gloucester ME · vs · Public, Portland ME

The verdict

University of Southern Maine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,384 in 34 years versus not at all at Unity Environmental University, on median earnings of $49,958 vs $37,852 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUnity Environmental UniversityUniversity of Southern Maine
Net price / yr$19,104$13,596
Total net cost$76,416$54,384
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,852$49,958
Median debt$25,000$19,060
Payback34 yrs
20-year net return-$286,576-$22,424

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

Which is cheaper, Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine?

University of Southern Maine, at $13,596 a year after aid versus $19,104 — a gap of $5,508 a year, or $22,032 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine graduates earn more?

University of Southern Maine graduates report a median $49,958 ten years after entry, $12,106 more than the $37,852 at Unity Environmental University. 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, Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine?

University of Southern Maine: its completers carry a median $19,060 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Unity Environmental University, a difference of $5,940. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

40% of students finish at University of Southern Maine, against 29% at Unity Environmental University. 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.

Unity Environmental University vs University of Southern Maine: frequently asked questions

Is Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine a better value?
University of Southern Maine. It clears its $54,384 net cost in about 34 years versus no clear payback at Unity Environmental University, on median earnings of $49,958 vs $37,852 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine?
University of Southern Maine: $13,596/yr net price after aid versus $19,104/yr at Unity Environmental University — a difference of $5,508 a year, or about $22,032 over four years.
Do Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine graduates earn more?
University of Southern Maine graduates earn a median $49,958 ten years after entry, versus $37,852 at Unity Environmental University — a $12,106 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.