Compare 5 Political Economy. programs in Maine. Average earnings: $55,126.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Political Economy tells a different story. Across 5 programs, earnings range from $47,118 to $69,008—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Bowdoin College's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $69,008, well above the $55,126 average. But the real story is accessibility: University of Maine, with a 96% acceptance rate, produces graduates earning $48,374—proving strong outcomes don't require selective admissions.
For families, the math changes dramatically. Bates College offers a 4.8% student burden, but when parent loans are included, University of Southern Maine leads with a 20.7% family burden. Bowdoin's $18,500 student debt creates just a 5.5% burden, though family debt pushes the total to 23.2%—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bowdoin CollegePrivate | $69,008 | 83 | $18,500 | Excellent | $52,337 | Challenging |
| #2 | Bates CollegePrivate | $62,940 | 76 | $14,275 | Excellent | $70,222 | High |
| #3 | University Of MainePublic | $48,374 | 49 | $25,000 | Manageable | $21,900 | High |
| #4 | $48,192 | 34 | $19,060 | Good | $17,050 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Colby CollegePrivate | $47,118 | 52 | $19,157 | Good | $59,570 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
