University of Southern Maine vs Bates College: which has better ROI?
Bates College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $117,404 in 5.6 years versus 34 years at University of Southern Maine, on median earnings of $69,498 vs $49,958 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Southern Maine | Bates College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,596 | $29,351 |
| Total net cost | $54,384 | $117,404 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,958 | $69,498 |
| Median debt | $19,060 | $14,275 |
| Payback | 34 yrs | 5.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$22,424 | $305,356 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Southern Maine or Bates College?
University of Southern Maine, at $13,596 a year after aid versus $29,351 — a gap of $15,755 a year, or $63,020 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 Southern Maine or Bates College graduates earn more?
Bates College graduates report a median $69,498 ten years after entry, $19,540 more than the $49,958 at University of Southern 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 Southern Maine or Bates College?
Bates College: its completers carry a median $14,275 in federal loans versus $19,060 at University of Southern Maine, a difference of $4,785. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Bates College, against 40% at University of Southern 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.