University of Maine
University of Maine — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Maine at a Glance
The University of Maine (UMaine) is a public land-grant research university in Orono, Maine, United States. It was established in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the flagship university of the University of Maine System. The University of Maine offers over 90 undergraduate major programs organized in five colleges: the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Engineering; the Honors College; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and the College of Earth, Life…
1865
161 years old
$442M
$442.2 million (2025)
10,878
8,442 undergrad · 2,428 grad
578
660 acres
Identity
Is University of Maine Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, University of Maine is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,653 — 10% below average — while paying $17,510/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 51% 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 University of Maine has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Maine compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #104 of 183 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #104 | University of Maine | 39 | $17,510 | $48,653 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Maine's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Maine
The highest-earning program at University of Maine is Chemical Engineering at $68,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $23,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Chemical Engineering graduate from University of Maine earns $68,400, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $23,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Chemical Engineering graduates carry $25,589 in median debt vs. $27,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,510/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $68,400 | $68,400 | $25,589 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $67,000 | $67,000 | $25,181 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,200 | $62,200 | $25,460 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,300 | $59,300 | $27,000 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $54,100 | $54,100 | $26,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $53,100 | $53,100 | $27,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $52,800 | $52,800 | $26,327 |
| Marketing | $40,400 | $40,400 | $26,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $39,800 | $39,800 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,300 | $39,300 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,700 | $33,700 | $26,805 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,800 | $31,800 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $26,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $26,800 | $26,800 | $26,000 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $26,700 | $26,700 | $26,903 |
| Biology, General | $26,700 | $26,700 | $24,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24,600 | $24,600 | $25,333 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,300 | $23,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Orono, ME
- Student Body
- 8,496 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,510
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,653
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000