Husson University
Bangor, Maine · Private Nonprofit · 81.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 34/100 · Poor Value
Husson University earns an overall ROI score of 34/100, placing it in the poor value band on CampusROI's framework. Tuition runs $23,304 with an average net price of $21,005 after aid. Median earnings six years after entry land at $39,900, climbing to roughly $45,025 by year ten, producing a payback period of about 22.3 years. Median federal debt of $27,000 works out to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68, which is tight. Completion sits at 59.4%, a middling result that drags on the score. The component scores break down as earnings premium 22/100, completion 59/100, payback 23/100, debt-to-earnings 33/100, repayment 60/100. The lowest sub-score is earnings premium over a high-school baseline at 22/100, which is the main weight pulling the overall number down; the strongest sub-score is loan repayment rate at 60/100. Data points here come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (2024-2025 vintage), and Scorecard earnings carry a 6-10 year reporting lag, so the figures describe recent graduating cohorts rather than this year's incoming class.
The data raises concerns about Husson University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score34/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period22.3 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Husson University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $23,304/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $23,304/yr |
| Average net price | $21,005/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $84,020 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,025 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 22.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,618 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Husson University is $23,304/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,005/year, or roughly $84,020 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $16,606/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,262/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $45,025 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.68 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,606 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,898 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,496 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,273 |
| $110,001+ | $25,262 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $16,606 per year here. With expected earnings around $45,025 a decade out, that's a tight number — Pell, state grants, and any institutional aid are doing real work to make it accessible, but families should still model debt carefully across four years.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) face a net price of about $17,496 per year. These households typically get less Pell support and partial institutional aid, so the tuition bill is more directly felt. Whether the math works depends on the major: programs with stronger early earnings can absorb this cost; lower-paying majors will produce a longer payback period.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families in the $110,000+ bracket pay an average of $25,262 per year. At this price point the calculation is whether the school's earnings outcomes and completion rate justify paying near sticker — high-income families could likely access more selective options or in-state flagships at similar or lower out-of-pocket cost, so the value case has to be made on fit, program, or geography.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Husson University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $78,167 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $56,244 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,059 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,315 | C |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $48,777 | D |
| Psychology | $45,390 | D |
| Teacher Education | $40,445 | C |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $61,215 | C |
| Accounting | $65,815 | C+ |
| Hospitality Administration | $51,833 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (CIP 5138) graduates 76 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $73,758 and four-year earnings of $78,167. Median program debt is $29,000 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of B. Nursing graduates typically enter clinical settings with strong wage floors and transferable licensure, which is why these programs hold up even at high cost.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology and Exercise Science (CIP 3105) graduates 72 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $37,993 and four-year earnings of $56,244. Median program debt is $28,769 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76, which is heavy. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of D.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration, Management, and Operations (CIP 5202) graduates 52 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $44,825 and four-year earnings of $62,059. Median program debt is $27,000 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C. Business and management is the workhorse major here; outcomes track closely with the student's region and willingness to relocate for opportunity.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice and Corrections (CIP 4301) graduates 44 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $46,523 and four-year earnings of $55,315. Median program debt is $27,178 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C. Criminal justice leads to law enforcement and corrections roles with capped wage ladders; check whether local employers are hiring before assuming the regional ROI.
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (CIP 1002) graduates 37 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $29,736 and four-year earnings of $48,777. Median program debt is $27,000 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.91, which is heavy. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of D. Communications outcomes are hugely dispersed; the median understates the tail risk for graduates who don't land a structured first job.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 64.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 530-625 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 535-650 |
| Enrollment | 2,618 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,935 |
The school admits roughly 81.0% of applicants, putting it in the broad-access category (SAT Math 25th-75th of 530-625; SAT Reading 25th-75th of 535-650). For prepared students with solid high school records the admit decision is unlikely to be the binding constraint here. Selectivity correlates loosely with completion in Scorecard data, and at 59.4% this campus's completion rate is in line with peer institutions.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Listed peer institutions include College of the Atlantic (ROI 25, Poor Value, 45.7yr payback); Bates College (ROI 82, Strong Value, 7.5yr payback); Mercyhurst University (ROI 35, Poor Value, 17.5yr payback); United Talmudical Seminary (ROI 36, Poor Value, >999yr); Flagler College (ROI 30, Poor Value, 18.1yr payback). Husson University sits at ROI 34 with 22.3yr payback, so families weighing options should compare these schools side by side on tuition net of aid, completion rate, and program-level earnings rather than relying on rankings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husson University (this school) | 34 | $21,005 | $45,025 |
| Bates College | 82 | $29,351 | $69,498 |
| United Talmudical Seminary | 36 | $6,640 | $25,113 |
| Mercyhurst University | 35 | $19,444 | $47,452 |
| Flagler College | 30 | $30,525 | $49,483 |
| College of the Atlantic | 25 | $25,184 | $40,264 |
Who Thrives Here
This is a New England institution with a mid-size enrollment of 2,618 and a Pell Grant rate of 38.8%, near the national average. Strong fit profile is a focused, locally-rooted student who has a clear major in mind and needs the in-state pricing and small-campus scale to make the math work. Completion is middling; students need to budget time and stay on a clear degree plan. Median earnings ten years out of $45,025 should be the honest yardstick for whether the price the family will actually pay (see the income-bracket breakdown below) leads to a workable post-graduation budget.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Husson University. With a net cost of $21,005 per year and median graduate earnings of only $45,025 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 22.3 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $27,000 against $45,025 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.