Head-to-head comparison
University of New England vs University of Maine at Fort Kent: 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 Fort Kent, ME
University of Maine at Fort Kent
- Net price / year
- $7,482
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,077
- Payback
- 11 yrs
University of Maine at Fort Kent has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $29,928 in 11 years versus 20.2 years at University of New England, on median earnings of $51,077 vs $55,921 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of New England | University of Maine at Fort Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,107 | $7,482 |
| Total net cost | $152,428 | $29,928 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,921 | $51,077 |
| Median debt | $25,250 | $20,160 |
| Payback | 20.2 yrs | 11 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$1,208 | $24,412 |
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 University of Maine at Fort Kent?
University of Maine at Fort Kent, at $7,482 a year after aid versus $38,107 — a gap of $30,625 a year, or $122,500 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 University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates earn more?
University of New England graduates report a median $55,921 ten years after entry, $4,844 more than the $51,077 at University of Maine at Fort Kent. 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 University of Maine at Fort Kent?
University of Maine at Fort Kent: its completers carry a median $20,160 in federal loans versus $25,250 at University of New England, a difference of $5,090. 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 39% at University of Maine at Fort Kent. 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.