Finance and Financial Management Services at Saint Joseph's College of Maine

For a finance degree where peer programs nationally suggest around $53,600 in first-year earnings and $25,800 in debt, the ratio of 0.48 looks workable on paper—that's roughly five months of gross income to cover borrowing. But context matters: comparable programs in Maine typically start graduates at $50,100, meaning this estimate may be optimistic for the regional job market. The University of Maine's finance graduates, for instance, earn $52,900 in their first year—close to the national figure but not guaranteed for every program in the state.

The debt load estimated here sits slightly above both national and state norms for finance degrees, which could reflect Saint Joseph's College's smaller scale and private school pricing. With an 82% admission rate and modest test scores, this isn't a selective program commanding premium placement rates. If your child plans to stay in Maine after graduation—where finance roles cluster in Portland and larger towns—they'll face a market that typically pays less than the national estimate suggests. Breaking even on a $26,000 debt load is manageable with discipline, but there's little margin for missteps like prolonged job searches or starting in lower-paying roles.

Before committing, push the school for actual graduate outcomes if they have them internally, and compare net costs after aid against University of Maine or similar public options. The estimation here leaves too much uncertainty to bet confidently on return.