Best colleges for Economics in Maine
Ranked by graduate earnings
Colby College, Bowdoin College and Bates College are the top bachelor's Economics programs in Maine by graduate earnings. Colby College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $76,401, College Scorecard. Colby College, Bowdoin College and Bates College award the most Economics degrees in Maine: 108, 84 and 59 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Maine colleges offer Economics and award 302 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby College Waterville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,401 | 108 | 89% | $15,696 | $24,250 |
| 2 | Bowdoin College Brunswick Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,867 | 84 | 95% | $15,454 | $19,500 |
| 3 | Bates College Lewiston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,187 | 59 | 90% | $18,203 | $13,000 |
| 4 | University of Maine Orono Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,159 | 36 | 55% | — | $22,984 |
| 5 | University of Southern Maine Portland Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,173 | 15 | 40% | — | $12,996 |
Colleges awarding the most Economics degrees in Maine
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby College Waterville Private not-for-profit | 108 | $76,401 |
| 2 | Bowdoin College Brunswick Private not-for-profit | 84 | $75,867 |
| 3 | Bates College Lewiston Private not-for-profit | 59 | $71,187 |
| 4 | University of Maine Orono Public | 36 | $46,159 |
| 5 | University of Southern Maine Portland Public | 15 | $49,173 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Economists (SOC 19-3011).
Top skills
What Economists earn in Maine
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Economics programs in Maine.
Which Maine colleges award the most Economics degrees?+
Colby College (108 graduates a year), Bowdoin College (84 graduates a year) and Bates College (59 graduates a year) award the most Economics degrees in Maine, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Maine colleges offer Economics.
What is the best college for Economics in Maine?+
By graduate earnings, Colby College leads among bachelor's Economics programs in Maine, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $76,401, College Scorecard. Bowdoin College and Bates College follow. By degrees awarded, Colby College is the largest, with 108 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Economics program in Maine has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Colby College tops the list at $76,401. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Economists earn in Maine?+
The average annual wage for Economists in Maine is $97,410 (median $91,480), across about 70 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Economics program?+
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Economists?+
The national job outlook is about +1.2% growth with around 900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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