Best Community Colleges in Maine 2024

BEST IN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGES

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

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  1. Northern Maine Community College
  2. Southern Maine Community College
  3. Central Maine Community College
  4. Eastern Maine Community College
  5. Kennebec Valley Community College
  6. Beal University
  7. York County Community College
  8. Washington County Community College
    1. Central Maine Community College 16 to 1
    2. York County Community College 16 to 1
    3. Southern Maine Community College 16 to 1
    4. Beal University 15 to 1
    5. Kennebec Valley Community College 15 to 1
    6. Eastern Maine Community College 14 to 1
    7. Northern Maine Community College 11 to 1
    8. Washington County Community College 7 to 1
    1. Beal University $37,500
    2. Washington County Community College $2,880
    3. Northern Maine Community College $2,880
    4. Eastern Maine Community College $2,880
    5. Central Maine Community College $2,880
    6. York County Community College $2,880
    7. Kennebec Valley Community College $2,880
    8. Southern Maine Community College $2,880
      1. Washington County Community College
      2. York County Community College
      3. Beal University
      4. Kennebec Valley Community College
      5. Eastern Maine Community College
      6. Central Maine Community College
      7. Southern Maine Community College
      8. Northern Maine Community College
        1. Washington County Community College 7 to 1
        2. Northern Maine Community College 11 to 1
        3. Eastern Maine Community College 14 to 1
        4. Beal University 15 to 1
        5. Kennebec Valley Community College 15 to 1
        6. Central Maine Community College 16 to 1
        7. York County Community College 16 to 1
        8. Southern Maine Community College 16 to 1
        1. Washington County Community College $2,880
        2. Northern Maine Community College $2,880
        3. Eastern Maine Community College $2,880
        4. Central Maine Community College $2,880
        5. York County Community College $2,880
        6. Kennebec Valley Community College $2,880
        7. Southern Maine Community College $2,880
        8. 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?

          Maine’s Best Overall

          Maine's Best Community Colleges Badge
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          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

          1. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            41%

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Northern Maine Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,830
            Expenses: $14,830
            Starting Salary: $38,323
            Salary after 4 years: $48,872
            Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Northern Maine Community College known for?

            Northern Maine Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          2. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            22%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Southern Maine Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,874
            Expenses: $14,268
            Starting Salary: $37,941
            Salary after 4 years: $44,620
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Southern Maine Community College known for?

            Southern Maine Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          3. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            27%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Central Maine Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,864
            Expenses: $13,000
            Starting Salary: $38,507
            Salary after 4 years: $41,602
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Central Maine Community College known for?

            Central Maine Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          4. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            41%

            Student body

            1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Kennebec Valley Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,865
            Starting Salary: $48,077
            What is Kennebec Valley Community College known for?

            Kennebec Valley Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          5. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            30%

            Student body

            1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Maine Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,865
            Expenses: $15,104
            Starting Salary: $47,417
            Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Eastern Maine Community College known for?

            Eastern Maine Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          6. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            31%

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at York County Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,866
            Starting Salary: $28,514
            Salary after 4 years: $37,235
            What is York County Community College known for?

            York County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          7. #7

            Beal University

            Bangor , ME

            Tuition + fees

            $38K

            Graduation

            46%

            Student body

            <1K

            What is Beal University known for?

            Beal University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          8. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            50%

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Washington County Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,859
            Expenses: $9,630
            Starting Salary: $31,600
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What 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.

          1. Eastern Maine Community College
          2. Northern Maine Community College
          3. Kennebec Valley Community College
          4. Central Maine Community College
          5. Washington County Community College
          6. Southern Maine Community College
          7. York County Community College
          8. Beal University
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