University of Southern Maine
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
vs 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 annual 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, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $49,958. The median debt for students is $19,060, and 34.1% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the return on investment appears favorable. The one-year earnings of $47,251 are significantly higher than the annual tuition cost of $10,920. The median debt of $19,060 is relatively low compared to the earnings potential.
The debt-to-income ratio can be estimated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings. This results in a debt-to-income ratio of approximately 0.40. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for earnings to surpass the total cost of education, is less than one year, given the substantial difference between tuition and earnings.
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
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $43,680 | $63,969 | 1226% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $43,680 | $53,243 | 735% |
| Law. | $43,680 | $69,705 | 1489% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $43,680 | $47,324 | 464% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $43,680 | $51,366 | 649% |
| Social Sciences, Other. | $43,680 | $36,300 | -40% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $43,680 | $43,007 | 267% |
| Psychology, General. | $43,680 | $36,601 | -27% |
| Social Work. | $43,680 | $49,974 | 586% |
| Biology, General. | $43,680 | $55,424 | 835% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $43,680 | $80,168 | 1968% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $43,680 | $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)
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.