ORONO — University of Maine graduates are pouring money into the state.
According to a recent study, Black Bears leave their mark all over the country but many of them stay in Maine.
The president of the University of Maine Alumni Association says this much information about university grads has never before been collected.
“UMaine alumni with a bachelor’s degree have a significantly higher rate of income than the median for others in Maine with a bachelor’s degree,” said President John Diamond.
According to the information provided, the median income for a working UMaine graduate is $56,000. It is 47% higher than other working-age Mainers with a bachelor’s degree.
Diamond said, “It speaks well of the competency of a UMaine alum and it also speaks well of the attractiveness of UMaine alumni to employers in the state of Maine.”
UMaine graduate student Finn Ducker said, “I hope to get a job in professional sports. It’s learning to be a little harder to maybe achieve that right away as I might’ve expected.” He said his sister stayed in Maine after graduating and wants to see a big impact the Black Bears can make in the community.
“The amount of money that the state is putting into Orono education is being paid for and then some annually by the alumni,” said Diamond.
The findings will help the state and school determine the effect students have, not only economically in the state but educationally.
In the next several months the association will gradually publish more information on the six-part study.
To see the Alumni Impact Study go to www.umainealumni.com.
