University of Southern Maine vs Colby College: which has better ROI?
Colby College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,720 in 2.1 years versus 34 years at University of Southern Maine, on median earnings of $80,490 vs $49,958 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Southern Maine | Colby College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,596 | $17,180 |
| Total net cost | $54,384 | $68,720 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,958 | $80,490 |
| Median debt | $19,060 | $19,157 |
| Payback | 34 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$22,424 | $573,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Southern Maine or Colby College?
University of Southern Maine, at $13,596 a year after aid versus $17,180 — a gap of $3,584 a year, or $14,336 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 Colby College graduates earn more?
Colby College graduates report a median $80,490 ten years after entry, $30,532 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 Colby College?
University of Southern Maine: its completers carry a median $19,060 in federal loans versus $19,157 at Colby College, a difference of $97. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at Colby 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.