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Journalism at University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,704/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)

Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)

ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #158 of 178 Journalism programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Journalism graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$405K	$418K	$411K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.0x	8.3x	8.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.9x	3.0x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	46%	31%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	25	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,424

Out-of-state: $141,384 (3.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,180

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

11.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of Maine's Journalism graduates start at $28,704/yr, trailing the $34,417 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Journalism's typical career paths, with 64% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $28,704 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #158 of 178 Journalism programs, University of Maine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Maine

A 96% acceptance rate means University of Maine is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 8,341 students in Orono, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maine →

Top Career Paths

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr

Editors $75,260/yr

Writers and authors $72,270/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Journalism at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at University of Maine?

A score of 25/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Journalism. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Journalism careers?

With 64% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $410,764 in decade earnings vs $405,417 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Journalism from University of Maine?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →