School of Economics

NOTE: The School of Economics reviews applications from November to May for the following Fall semester. We make most funding decisions in January and February. Make sure to read all pages linked to the left before starting an application, especially Admission Requirements, Graduate Funding Opportunities, and Frequently Asked Questions.

Why study at UMaine’s School of Economics?

Housed in the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, UMaine’s School of Economics (SOE) produces transformative research on natural resources, the environment, energy, and health economics. We are also leaders in regional economics and public policy. 

When you join the SOE, you join a community of researchers and educators dedicated to producing high-quality work and supporting each other. Students benefit from small class sizes and world-class research centers. Faculty work closely with students, providing regular one-on-one mentorship on research projects that have real-world implications. This specialized training has been praised as an asset by many employers. 

Our applied terminal master’s degree programs prepare students for the rigor and research needed in analyst and associate positions in private companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies while also providing the rigorous foundation required for top Ph.D. programs. Our faculty also support Ph.D. students in the Ecology and Environmental Science and Interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs.

Most of our graduate alums work in private companies (30%), universities/colleges (30%), government agencies (20%), or non-profit organizations (15%). They report strong job satisfaction and a median income of $100,000/yr. They credit SOE’s strong focus on data analysis, econometrics, written and oral communication for their success. Below is a partial list of some current places of employment or further education for our alums.

We have a vibrant graduate student cohort, with an active SOE Graduate Student Club and Women in Economics Club (typically, 40-50% of our graduate students are female). Our programs enroll students from all over the country and the world. International students have joined us from (alphabetically) Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Japan, Kosovo, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Northern Macedonia, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Vietnam. Students collaborate on research and classwork, and enjoy spending time together and supporting each other. 

In Winslow Hall, we are right in the heart of UMaine and all it offers, including sports, art, extra-curricular programs, and the outdoors. We look forward to welcoming you to this great Land, Sea, and Space grant University!

Interested?

• Learn our admission requirements
• Learn about the application process
• Browse economics graduate courses
• Browse our program learning outcomes
• Find answers to common questions
• Find graduate funding
• Start your application!