Best Community Colleges in Maine 2024
The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Maine offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
Best Community Colleges in Maine
- Northern Maine Community College
- Southern Maine Community College
- Central Maine Community College
- Eastern Maine Community College
- Kennebec Valley Community College
- Beal University
- York County Community College
- Washington County Community College
- Central Maine Community College 16 to 1
- York County Community College 16 to 1
- Southern Maine Community College 16 to 1
- Beal University 15 to 1
- Kennebec Valley Community College 15 to 1
- Eastern Maine Community College 14 to 1
- Northern Maine Community College 11 to 1
- Washington County Community College 7 to 1
- Beal University $37,500
- Washington County Community College $2,880
- Northern Maine Community College $2,880
- Eastern Maine Community College $2,880
- Central Maine Community College $2,880
- York County Community College $2,880
- Kennebec Valley Community College $2,880
- Southern Maine Community College $2,880
- Washington County Community College
- York County Community College
- Beal University
- Kennebec Valley Community College
- Eastern Maine Community College
- Central Maine Community College
- Southern Maine Community College
- Northern Maine Community College
- Washington County Community College 7 to 1
- Northern Maine Community College 11 to 1
- Eastern Maine Community College 14 to 1
- Beal University 15 to 1
- Kennebec Valley Community College 15 to 1
- Central Maine Community College 16 to 1
- York County Community College 16 to 1
- Southern Maine Community College 16 to 1
- Washington County Community College $2,880
- Northern Maine Community College $2,880
- Eastern Maine Community College $2,880
- Central Maine Community College $2,880
- York County Community College $2,880
- Kennebec Valley Community College $2,880
- Southern Maine Community College $2,880
- Beal University $37,500
Colleges and Universities in Maine
At $9,970, Maine is right on target with the national average, making the state an affordable choice for those looking to receive an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. The 16 public colleges and universities range in tuition from $4,000 to $14,000. The 10 private schools tend to cost more, ranging from $27,000 to $55,000, though the class sizes are often much smaller. The largest private university is the University of New England, with just under 6,000 students, and a tuition of $38,000.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
The University of Maine (UMaine), with just under 10,000 students, is the largest public school, with a tuition rate of $11,000. Based in Orono, the public research university offers degrees in fields like literature, earth sciences, and physics. Stephen King and Bernard Lown are among the influential alumni who attended this school. The cost for higher education in Maine varies, but the state offers loan forgiveness programs for many professions, including dentists, lawyers, educators, health professionals, and veterinarians. The Alfond Leaders program forgives up to $60,000 for residents working in eligible science, technology, engineering, and mathematics occupations.
The northernmost state in New England, Maine is known for its fishing, quaint coastal towns, and of course, lobster. Maine is also home to over 60 lighthouses. Students looking to earn their degree while living in a state that has both ocean beaches and lush forests can choose from 26 private and public higher education institutions.
Come see why Maine is an excellent option for earning your higher education degree and starting a career.
What are Maine’s Colleges & Universities?
- 2 Research Universities
- 14 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 3 Graduate Schools
- 8 Public Colleges & Universities
- 8 Private Colleges & Universities
- 1 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 13 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 9 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 8 Community Colleges
- 8 Online Colleges
Maine’s Best Overall
We’ve identified 8 community colleges in Maine. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Maine.
Best Community Colleges in Maine
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
41%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Northern Maine Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,830Expenses: $14,830Starting Salary: $38,323Salary after 4 years: $48,872Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryTuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
22%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Southern Maine Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,874Expenses: $14,268Starting Salary: $37,941Salary after 4 years: $44,620Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Southern Maine Community College known for?
Southern Maine Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
27%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Central Maine Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,864Expenses: $13,000Starting Salary: $38,507Salary after 4 years: $41,602Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Central Maine Community College known for?
Central Maine Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
41%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Kennebec Valley Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,865Starting Salary: $48,077What is Kennebec Valley Community College known for?
Kennebec Valley Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
30%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Maine Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,865Expenses: $15,104Starting Salary: $47,417Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Eastern Maine Community College known for?
Eastern Maine Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
31%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at York County Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,866Starting Salary: $28,514Salary after 4 years: $37,235What is York County Community College known for?
York County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$38K
Graduation
46%
Student body
<1K
What is Beal University known for?
Beal University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
50%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Washington County Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,859Expenses: $9,630Starting Salary: $31,600Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Washington County Community College known for?
Washington County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
