Economics at University of Maine

University of Maine's economics program starts graduates at $46,159—well below both the national median and particularly concerning when compared to Maine's other options. While this ranks in just the 10th percentile among Maine economics programs, there's an important catch: those "other options" are primarily elite liberal arts colleges (Colby, Bowdoin, Bates) with single-digit admission rates. Against this backdrop, UMaine's accessible 96% admission rate and modest $22,984 debt load tell a different story about who this program serves.

The 36% earnings growth to $62,824 by year four shows solid momentum, though graduates still trail the state median significantly. For Maine families, this creates a real dilemma: pay substantially more (or face much longer odds) at the state's elite colleges, or accept lower earnings at an accessible program. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 is reasonable, but the gap between what UMaine economics grads earn versus what other Maine economics grads earn ($8,363 less than even University of Southern Maine) is substantial enough to affect debt payoff timelines and early-career financial flexibility.

For students who can gain admission to Maine's selective liberal arts colleges and afford them, those programs clearly deliver stronger earnings outcomes. UMaine makes sense for students prioritizing access and lower debt, but families should recognize they're trading early-career earnings for those benefits—a tradeoff that may take years to balance out despite the encouraging growth trajectory.