Head-to-head comparison
University of Southern Maine vs University of New England: which has better ROI?
Option A Portland, ME
University of Southern Maine
- Net price / year
- $13,596
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,958
- Payback
- 34 yrs
Option B Biddeford, ME
University of New England
- Net price / year
- $38,107
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,921
- Payback
- 20.2 yrs
University of New England has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $152,428 in 20.2 years versus 34 years at University of Southern Maine, on median earnings of $55,921 vs $49,958 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Southern Maine | University of New England |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,596 | $38,107 |
| Total net cost | $54,384 | $152,428 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,958 | $55,921 |
| Median debt | $19,060 | $25,250 |
| Payback | 34 yrs | 20.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$22,424 | -$1,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Southern Maine or University of New England?
University of Southern Maine, at $13,596 a year after aid versus $38,107 — a gap of $24,511 a year, or $98,044 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 Southern Maine or University of New England graduates earn more?
University of New England graduates report a median $55,921 ten years after entry, $5,963 more than the $49,958 at University of Southern Maine. 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 Southern Maine or University of New England?
University of Southern Maine: its completers carry a median $19,060 in federal loans versus $25,250 at University of New England, a difference of $6,190. 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 40% at University of Southern 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.