Maine College of Art & Design
Maine College of Art & Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Maine College of Art & Design Worth It?
At a value score of 13/100, Maine College of Art & Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,778 — 24% below average — while paying $38,338/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.8-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 66% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Maine College of Art & Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Maine College of Art & Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #47 of 58 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #2 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #3 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #4 | Appalachian Bible College | 59 | $11,579 | $37,467 |
| #5 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #47 | Maine College of Art & Design | 13 | $38,338 | $40,778 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Maine College of Art & Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ME.
Best Programs at Maine College of Art & Design
The highest-earning program at Maine College of Art & Design is Design and Applied Arts at $22,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $18,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Maine College of Art & Design earns $22,800, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $18,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $26,974 in median debt vs. $26,605 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $38,338/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $22,800 | $22,800 | $26,974 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,300 | $18,300 | $26,605 |
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Portland, ME
- Student Body
- 415 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $38,338
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,778
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000