Head-to-head comparison
Unity Environmental University vs University of Southern Maine: which has better ROI?
Option A New Gloucester, ME
Unity Environmental University
- Net price / year
- $19,104
- Earnings, 10 years
- $37,852
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Portland, ME
University of Southern Maine
- Net price / year
- $13,596
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,958
- Payback
- 34 yrs
University of Southern Maine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,384 in 34 years versus not at all at Unity Environmental University, on median earnings of $49,958 vs $37,852 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Unity Environmental University | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,104 | $13,596 |
| Total net cost | $76,416 | $54,384 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,852 | $49,958 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $19,060 |
| Payback | — | 34 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$286,576 | -$22,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine?
University of Southern Maine, at $13,596 a year after aid versus $19,104 — a gap of $5,508 a year, or $22,032 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine graduates earn more?
University of Southern Maine graduates report a median $49,958 ten years after entry, $12,106 more than the $37,852 at Unity Environmental University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Unity Environmental University or University of Southern Maine?
University of Southern Maine: its completers carry a median $19,060 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Unity Environmental University, a difference of $5,940. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at University of Southern Maine, against 29% at Unity Environmental University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.