2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Maine
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Maine
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern Maine the best value for a degree in economics in Maine. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $49,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #2 makes Bowdoin College one of the best values for economics. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $75,867. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Colby College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Colby College earn a median of $76,401 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine earned it the #4 place for economics. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $46,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bates College earned it the #5 place for economics. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Bates College earn a median of $71,187 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
