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University of New England vs Maine Maritime Academy: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Biddeford ME · vs · Public, Castine ME

The verdict

Maine Maritime Academy has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,656 in 2.3 years versus 20.2 years at University of New England, on median earnings of $89,964 vs $55,921 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of New EnglandMaine Maritime Academy
Net price / yr$38,107$23,414
Total net cost$152,428$93,656
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,921$89,964
Median debt$25,250$27,000
Payback20.2 yrs2.3 yrs
20-year net return-$1,208$738,424

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

Which is cheaper, University of New England or Maine Maritime Academy?

Maine Maritime Academy, at $23,414 a year after aid versus $38,107 — a gap of $14,693 a year, or $58,772 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 New England or Maine Maritime Academy graduates earn more?

Maine Maritime Academy graduates report a median $89,964 ten years after entry, $34,043 more than the $55,921 at University of New England. 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 New England or Maine Maritime Academy?

University of New England: its completers carry a median $25,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Maine Maritime Academy, a difference of $1,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at University of New England, against 58% at Maine Maritime Academy. 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.

University of New England vs Maine Maritime Academy: frequently asked questions

Is University of New England or Maine Maritime Academy a better value?
Maine Maritime Academy. It clears its $93,656 net cost in about 2.3 years versus 20.2 years at University of New England, on median earnings of $89,964 vs $55,921 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of New England or Maine Maritime Academy?
Maine Maritime Academy: $23,414/yr net price after aid versus $38,107/yr at University of New England — a difference of $14,693 a year, or about $58,772 over four years.
Do University of New England or Maine Maritime Academy graduates earn more?
Maine Maritime Academy graduates earn a median $89,964 ten years after entry, versus $55,921 at University of New England — a $34,043 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.