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Economics at University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,159/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #296 of 351 Economics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $517K $514K $481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.2x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.6x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,424
Out-of-state: $141,384 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,180
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,984
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$62,824
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Maine's Economics program produces graduates earning $46,159/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,984 in median debt clears quickly against $46,159 in annual earnings.

Ranked #296 of 351 Economics programs, University of Maine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Maine

A 96% acceptance rate means University of Maine is accessible to most applicants, serving 8,341 students in Orono, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maine →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at University of Maine

Chemical Engineering ($78,838) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,737) Computer Science ($77,046) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,037) Computer Engineering ($75,282) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($73,692) Mechanical Engineering ($69,687) Construction Engineering Technologies ($65,540)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Maine?
This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Economics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $480,952 in decade earnings vs $516,970 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →