Marine Sciences at University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,243/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Large (40,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.3x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 3 Marine Sciences programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

Your earnings in Marine Sciences from UMaine reflect the unique regional demand in New England, particularly Maine's strong maritime economy. This program often prepares graduates for roles with state and federal agencies like NOAA, local environmental non-profits, or growing aquaculture businesses, where strong regional connections and practical experience are highly valued. The hands-on research opportunities and proximity to critical coastal ecosystems likely contribute to graduates being well-prepared for these specialized roles in a niche field. The high AI risk points to the evolving nature of scientific research; while fieldwork remains essential, roles involving data analysis, modeling, and remote sensing are increasingly augmented by AI tools. To thrive, focus on developing strong analytical skills alongside your scientific knowledge, and actively seek internships that provide practical experience in both field and data-driven contexts.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $579K $571K $525K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.3x 10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 32

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 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,180
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,546
90% growth from Year 1

About University of Maine

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

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maine →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physical scientists, all other $117,960/yr
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers $99,240/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Marine Sciences at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Maine's Marine Sciences program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Marine Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Marine Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Marine Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 41% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →