University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, Maine · Public · 97.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 64/100 · Fair Value
The University of Maine at Fort Kent is a small public liberal arts campus in northern Maine's St. John Valley, enrolling about 599 students. In-state tuition is $9,420, and the average net price is an exceptionally low $7,482 — making UMFK one of the most affordable four-year public options in New England. The institution earns a Fair Value ROI score of 64, anchored by a remarkable 53.7% earnings premium — the highest in this cohort — and median ten-year earnings of $51,077. However, a 39.4% completion rate significantly limits the overall ROI score, and only 10.6-year payback at median dampens what would otherwise be a stronger profile. Registered Nursing is UMFK's only reported program with complete data and it drives much of the earnings story. The St. John Valley region is bilingual (English-French) and rural, offering a unique cultural environment but limited on-campus activity and regional career opportunities beyond health care and education.
The data raises concerns about University of Maine at Fort Kent
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate39.4% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,420/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $14,880/yr |
| Average net price | $7,482/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $29,928 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,077 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,160 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $214 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 39.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 599 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Maine at Fort Kent is $9,420/year ($14,880/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $7,482/year, or roughly $29,928 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,163/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $11,661/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,160 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $214 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $51,077 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.56 - 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 | $8,163 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,130 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,122 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,020 |
| $110,001+ | $11,661 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $8,163 net — just $681 above the institutional average. The $30,001–$48,000 bracket actually pays less at $6,130, and the middle bracket ($48,001–$75,000) pays just $4,122 — UMFK's most advantageous pricing tier. Low-income students interested in nursing have a compelling case: a $71,551 year-one nursing salary against $8,163 in annual cost is transformative ROI.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families at the $48,001–$75,000 level pay only $4,122 — strikingly low. This likely reflects UMFK's aid layering of institutional grants on top of state and federal need-based awards. For middle-income nursing students, UMFK may represent the single best affordable nursing pathway in Maine.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Above $75,000, families pay $10,020–$11,661 — still very low for a public four-year institution. Higher-income students may be trading campus experience and program breadth for extreme cost efficiency. Those who plan on nursing as a career should find the trade-off worthwhile; others may prefer larger UMaine campuses.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at University of Maine at Fort Kent with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $82,677 | B |
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
Nursing is UMFK's defining program, graduating 158 students — by far the largest cohort. Year-one earnings reach $71,551 and $82,677 at four years. A B grade and 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio against $30,447 in median debt reflect strong but not exceptional value. Given the $7,482 average net price, nursing students at UMFK access a high-wage health career at one of the lowest price points in the Northeast.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 73.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 66.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 74.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 97.9% |
| Enrollment | 599 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,219 |
UMFK accepts nearly all applicants with no reported SAT/ACT range, consistent with open-access admissions. Financial aid is strong — average net price of $7,482 is among the lowest in New England for a four-year public. Students should verify nursing program capacity and clinical placement requirements before committing, as this single program drives most of UMFK's documented outcomes.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UMFK is listed alongside other small Maine and Penn State regional campuses. Its earnings premium of 53.7% is the strongest signal in its peer set, driven primarily by nursing. However, the 39.4% completion rate is the critical risk factor that peers like University of Maine at Farmington partially address through stronger academic support infrastructure. UMFK's distinctive value lies almost entirely in nursing access at minimal cost.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine at Fort Kent (this school) | 64 | $7,482 | $51,077 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto | 63 | $19,454 | $63,435 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill | 63 | $19,659 | $63,435 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York | 62 | $19,047 | $63,435 |
| University of Maine at Farmington | 29 | $16,857 | $44,433 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | 15 | $10,924 | $40,342 |
Who Thrives Here
UMFK is best matched to students who want nursing training at the lowest possible cost in a supportive, tight-knit rural community. The 97.9% admissions rate means essentially anyone can enroll. Students not in nursing face limited program breadth and a challenging job market in rural northern Maine. Students attracted to UMFK's bilingual St. John Valley setting, small campus culture, or northern Maine lifestyle will find the price compelling; those primarily seeking career breadth should consider a UMaine System campus with more robust program offerings.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Maine at Fort Kent offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $7,482 per year leads to $29,928 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $51,077 a decade out. The payback period of 10.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 39.4% graduation rate.
Median debt of $20,160 against $51,077 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.