University of Maine vs Saint Joseph's College of Maine: which has better ROI?
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 239 years at University of Maine, on median earnings of $59,045 vs $48,653 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Maine | Saint Joseph's College of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,510 | $27,555 |
| Total net cost | $70,040 | $110,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,653 | $59,045 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 239 yrs | 10.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$64,180 | $103,480 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Maine or Saint Joseph's College of Maine?
University of Maine, at $17,510 a year after aid versus $27,555 — a gap of $10,045 a year, or $40,180 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Maine or Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates report a median $59,045 ten years after entry, $10,392 more than the $48,653 at University of Maine. 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, University of Maine or Saint Joseph's College of Maine?
University of Maine: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, a difference of $2,000. 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 55% at University of Maine. 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.