Head-to-head · 2026
University of Maine at Fort Kent vs University of Southern Maine
Compare average net price ($7,482 at University of Maine at Fort Kent; $13,596 at University of Southern Maine), ROI score (17.07 vs 9.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($51,077 vs $49,958), and admissions selectivity (97.9% acceptance at University of Maine at Fort Kent; 79.2% at University of Southern Maine) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of Maine at Fort Kent | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.07 ✓ | 9.19 |
| Avg net price | $7,482 ✓ | $13,596 |
| 4-year avg net price | $29,928 ✓ | $54,384 |
| In-state tuition | $9,420 | $11,284 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,880 | $27,944 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $51,077 ✓ | $49,958 |
| Acceptance rate | 97.9% | 79.2% |
| Graduation rate | 39.4% | 40.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 89.3% ✓ | 73.9% |
| Median debt | $20,160 | $19,060 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 599 | 4,222 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1116 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of Maine at Fort Kent | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,163 ✓ | $9,999 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,130 ✓ | $10,847 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,122 ✓ | $12,550 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,020 ✓ | $16,750 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,661 ✓ | $19,180 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of Maine at Fort Kent | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 72.8% | 10.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.6% | 7.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.4% | 4.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.7% | 1.8% |
| Biology, General | 0.9% | 2.7% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1.3% | 0.5% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 0.4% | 1.1% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 0.9% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Maine at Fort Kent reports the lower average net price by $6,114 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $24,456 difference over four years ($29,928 vs $54,384).
University of Maine at Fort Kent reports $1,119 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,077 vs $49,958). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 89.3% at University of Maine at Fort Kent and 73.9% at University of Southern Maine. Median federal debt among completers is $20,160 vs $19,060, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Maine at Fort Kent vs University of Southern Maine, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Maine at Fort Kent is cheaper — average net price $7,482 per year vs $13,596 at University of Southern Maine. The annual difference of $6,114 adds up to about $24,456 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Maine at Fort Kent reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,077 vs $49,958 at University of Southern Maine. The gap in the federal data is $1,119. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Southern Maine is more selective at 79.2% acceptance vs 97.9% at University of Maine at Fort Kent.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.