Journalism at University of Maine

The University of Maine's journalism program produces first-year earnings of just $28,704—17% below the national median for journalism graduates and landing in the 19th percentile nationally. While that places it above the median among Maine's two journalism programs, the state context offers little comfort: there simply aren't enough alternatives to make that ranking meaningful. The $27,000 in debt is relatively modest, resulting in a manageable 0.94 debt-to-earnings ratio, but you're financing a degree that starts at poverty-level wages.

Here's the practical reality: $28,704 translates to roughly $2,392 per month before taxes—barely enough to cover rent and basic expenses in most markets, let alone student loan payments. Even if your child is passionate about journalism, these numbers suggest they'd struggle financially in the early years of their career. The program's highly accessible 96% admission rate means your student will likely get in, but that doesn't make it a sound financial decision.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift dramatically year to year, but the underlying challenge remains: journalism pays poorly early in careers everywhere. If your child is set on this field, they should minimize debt aggressively—live at home if possible, work through school, or consider starting at a community college. A $27,000 debt burden on sub-$30,000 income is technically manageable but will significantly limit their financial independence for years.