Sheryl DeWalt President | Beal University
Sheryl DeWalt President | Beal University
Data shows that students paid $18,479 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $262 more than the previous school year.
Among the four institutions in the county, Beal University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $39,570. Husson University followed with an average of $21,090 per year. Eastern Maine Community College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $3,906.
At the time, a total of $31.4 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Penobscot County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $14.8 million.
Currently there are four higher education institutions in Penobscot County, including Husson University, University of Maine, and Eastern Maine Community College.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beal University | 161 | $793,598 | $4,929 | 161 | $1,071,016 | $6,652 |
| Eastern Maine Community College | 433 | $2,947,119 | $6,806 | 107 | $468,339 | $4,377 |
| University of Maine | 1,792 | $20,385,469 | $11,376 | 1,082 | $9,782,891 | $9,041 |
| Husson University | 562 | $7,315,429 | $13,017 | 443 | $3,433,336 | $7,750 |
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