University of New England
University of New England — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of New England at a Glance
The University of New England (UNE) is a private research university in Biddeford, Maine, United States. The university has additional campuses in Portland, Maine, and Tangier, Morocco. It traces its historical origins to 1831, when Westbrook Seminary opened on what is now the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences.
1831
195 years old
$451M
$451.1 million (2025)
5,924
2,104 undergrad · 2,323 grad
315
540 acres
Identity
Is University of New England Worth It?
At a value score of 24/100, University of New England is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,921 — 4% above average — while paying $38,107/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.7-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of New England has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of New England compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #144 of 173 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #4 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #5 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #6 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #144 | University of New England | 24 | $38,107 | $55,921 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of New England's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ME.
Best Programs at University of New England
The highest-earning program at University of New England is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $22,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of New England earns $61,400, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $22,500. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $38,107/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,400 | $61,400 | $27,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $51,600 | $51,600 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $29,800 | $29,800 | $27,000 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $24,700 | $24,700 | $27,000 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $23,300 | $23,300 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,500 | $22,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Biddeford, ME
- Student Body
- 2,135 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $38,107
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,921
- Median Student Debt
- $25,250