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Food Science and Technology at University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,255/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)

ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #25 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Food Science and Technology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$490K	$491K	$461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.7x	9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.5x	3.5x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	40%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	39

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 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,180

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,000

7.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,498

28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,255 place University of Maine below the $49,845 national median for Food Science and Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 9.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 32% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,000 debt-to-$36,255 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #25 out of 25 programs, University of Maine's financial outcomes for Food Science and Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,255 to $46,498 shows 28% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Maine

University of Maine accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 8,341 students in Orono, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maine →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr

Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Maine

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Maine's Food Science and Technology program score?

This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Food Science and Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Food Science and Technology earnings lower at University of Maine?

Lower starting pay at University of Maine may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →