University of Southern Maine ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$43,680
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$12,107/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
454%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Southern Maine has an acceptance rate of 79.3% and a graduation rate of 44.2%. The retention rate is 75.6%. The in-state tuition is $10,920. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $47,251. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $47,107. Ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $49,958.
The median debt for students is $19,060. 34.1% of students receive financial aid. The debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.40, based on the one-year earnings.
Based on the one-year earnings, the break-even point for tuition is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,920
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,060
Median Earnings (5yr)
$47,107
Graduation Rate
44%
Receive Financial Aid
34%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $80,168 | 1968% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $116,827 | 3647% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $51,366 | 649% |
| Law | $69,705 | 1489% |
| Social Work | $49,974 | 586% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $47,324 | 464% |
| Social Sciences, Other | $36,300 | -40% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,007 | 267% |
| Psychology, General | $36,601 | -27% |
| Biology, General | $55,424 | 835% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $56,680 | 893% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
454%
20yr ROI
849%
20yr ROI
853%
20yr ROI
595%
20yr ROI
269%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.