Head-to-head comparison
University of New England vs Saint Joseph's College of Maine: which has better ROI?
Option A Biddeford, ME
University of New England
- Net price / year
- $38,107
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,921
- Payback
- 20.2 yrs
Option B Standish, ME
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
- Net price / year
- $27,555
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,045
- Payback
- 10.3 yrs
Saint Joseph's College of Maine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $110,220 in 10.3 years versus 20.2 years at University of New England, on median earnings of $59,045 vs $55,921 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of New England | Saint Joseph's College of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,107 | $27,555 |
| Total net cost | $152,428 | $110,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,921 | $59,045 |
| Median debt | $25,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 20.2 yrs | 10.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$1,208 | $103,480 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of New England or Saint Joseph's College of Maine?
Saint Joseph's College of Maine, at $27,555 a year after aid versus $38,107 — a gap of $10,552 a year, or $42,208 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 University of New England or Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates report a median $59,045 ten years after entry, $3,124 more than the $55,921 at University of New England. 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, University of New England or Saint Joseph's College of Maine?
University of New England: its completers carry a median $25,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, a difference of $1,750. 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?
68% of students finish at University of New England, against 66% at Saint Joseph's College of Maine. 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.