Business/Managerial Economics at University of Maine at Farmington

The University of Maine at Farmington's Business/Managerial Economics program graduates earn about $5,000 less than the national median for this degree, placing it in the 35th percentile nationally. However, within Maine—where only two schools offer this program—it performs at the 60th percentile, essentially matching the state median for first-year earnings at $48,263. The debt load of $22,591 is right in line with both national and state averages, producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47. That means graduates can expect to owe roughly half their first year's salary, which is reasonable territory for a bachelor's degree.

The catch here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift considerably from year to year. The school's 98% admission rate and modest test scores suggest it serves a broad range of students, including a significant population of Pell grant recipients. For Maine families keeping their student in-state, this program delivers predictable outcomes—not spectacular earnings, but solid middle-class starting salaries with debt that won't dominate their financial lives. The real question is whether that $48,000 starting point is enough, given that the national average sits $5,000 higher. If staying in Maine for career reasons makes sense, this works. If your student has ambitions requiring a move to a higher cost-of-living area, that earnings gap matters more.