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Multi / Interdisciplinary · Marine Sciences Rank #1 of 3

Marine Sciencesat University of Maine

Graduates earn $29,243/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Marine Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $571K; scenarios range from $525K to $579K depending on AI disruption.

Orono, ME Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
32 AT RISK
33
Optimistic
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,243
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$571K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
47% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Maine

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.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$525K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple10.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$571K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple11.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$579K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score33/100
Earnings Multiple11.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Maine's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Marine Sciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Physical scientists, all other
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
3
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
+3.2% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$99,240/yr
Moderate
4
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
5
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$80,060/yr
High
6
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Marine Sciences

How University of Maine stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
24
DW Score
$27K
1-yr earn
5.2x
ROI
Top score
California State University-Monterey Bay
CA · Public
31
DW Score
$27K
1-yr earn
14.4x
ROI
Also at University of Maine

Other top programs at University of Maine

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maine, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Marine Sciences at University of Maine

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.