Best Colleges in Maine (2026)
39 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.
39
Colleges
$47,748
Avg Earnings (10yr)
$18,980
Avg Net Price
70%
Avg Admit Rate
56%
Avg Grad Rate
State Overview
Maine is home to 39 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. Maine Maritime Academy leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $47,748 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, Maine offers diverse options across all price points.
Quick Facts — Maine Colleges
Top 10 Colleges in Maine by Graduate Earnings
Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.
Admit
71%
Net Price
$26,312
Grad Rate
N/A
Earnings
$79,840
Admit
84%
Net Price
$27,555
Grad Rate
67%
Earnings
$59,045
Admit
92%
Net Price
$38,107
Grad Rate
65%
Earnings
$55,921
Most Affordable Colleges in Maine
Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.
Fairfield, ME
44% grad rate
Calais, ME
49% grad rate
Presque Isle, ME
45% grad rate
Popular Majors
Compare the best colleges for top fields of study — ranked by graduate earnings nationwide.
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Find my Maine collegeAll Colleges in Maine
All 39 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.
| School | City | Type | Admit Rate | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates College | Lewiston | Private Nonprofit | 13% | $29,351 | 90% | $69,498 |
| Beal University | Bangor | Private For-Profit | N/A | $40,109 | 35% | $35,639 |
| Beal University | Wilton | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $35,639 |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick | Private Nonprofit | 7% | $14,398 | 95% | $82,735 |
| Capilo School of Hair Design | Augusta | Private For-Profit | N/A | $18,711 | 76% | N/A |
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn | Public | N/A | $6,975 | 29% | $42,448 |
| Colby College | Waterville | Private Nonprofit | 7% | $17,180 | 89% | $80,490 |
| College of the Atlantic | Bar Harbor | Private Nonprofit | 70% | $25,184 | 69% | $40,264 |
| Eastern Maine Community College | Bangor | Public | N/A | $8,928 | 33% | $41,704 |
| Empire Beauty School-Bangor | Bangor | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $23,925 |
| Empire Beauty School-Maine | Bangor | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,191 | 65% | $23,925 |
| Husson University | Bangor | Private Nonprofit | 81% | $21,005 | 58% | $45,025 |
| Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts | Portland | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | Public | N/A | $3,910 | 44% | $36,035 |
| Maine College of Art & Design | Portland | Private Nonprofit | 76% | $38,338 | 50% | $40,778 |
| Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston | Private Nonprofit | 71% | $26,312 | N/A | $79,840 |
| Maine Maritime Academy | Castine | Public | 54% | $23,414 | 60% | $89,964 |
| Maine Media College | Rockport | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts | Harrison | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Northeast Technical Institute | Scarborough | Private For-Profit | N/A | $26,546 | 87% | N/A |
| Northern Maine Community College | Presque Isle | Public | N/A | $7,181 | 38% | $43,348 |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish | Private Nonprofit | 84% | $27,555 | 67% | $59,045 |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland | Public | N/A | $11,086 | 24% | $41,661 |
| Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook | Westbrook | Private For-Profit | N/A | $29,953 | 85% | $27,803 |
| The Landing School | Arundel | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $35,532 | 98% | $65,849 |
| Thomas College | Waterville | Private Nonprofit | 96% | $18,885 | 53% | $44,991 |
| Unity Environmental University | New Gloucester | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $19,104 | 44% | $37,852 |
| Unity Environmental University | New Gloucester | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $37,852 |
| Unity Environmental University - Unity | Unity | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $37,852 |
| University of Maine | Orono | Public | 97% | $17,510 | 56% | $48,653 |
| University of Maine - Machias | Machias | Public | N/A | N/A | N/A | $48,653 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta | Public | N/A | $10,924 | 25% | $40,342 |
| University of Maine at Farmington | Farmington | Public | 97% | $16,857 | 52% | $44,433 |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | Fort Kent | Public | 98% | $7,482 | 40% | $51,077 |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | Presque Isle | Public | 100% | $7,035 | 45% | $40,956 |
| University of New England | Biddeford | Private Nonprofit | 92% | $38,107 | 65% | $55,921 |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland | Public | 79% | $13,596 | 43% | $49,958 |
| Washington County Community College | Calais | Public | N/A | $5,149 | 49% | $34,407 |
| York County Community College | Wells | Public | N/A | $5,875 | 31% | $44,873 |
Showing 39 of 39 schools