Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2024
Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Maine offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.
Top Ten Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2024
- Bowdoin College
- Most Popular Degrees: Literature, Economics, and History
- Bates College
- Most Popular Degrees: Literature, Political Science, and Physics
- Colby College
- Most Popular Degrees: Literature, Sociology, and Economics
- University of Southern Maine
- Most Popular Degrees: Psychology, Anthropology, and Biology
- College of the Atlantic
- Most Popular Degrees: Psychology, Economics, and Education
- Maine Maritime Academy
- Most Popular Degrees: Engineering, Business, and Earth Sciences
- University of Maine at Augusta
- Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Political Science, and Education
- Thomas College
- Most Popular Degrees: Medical Sciences, Criminal Justice, and Business
- University of Maine at Farmington
- Most Popular Degrees: Literature, Earth Sciences, and Biology
- University of Maine at Presque Isley
- Most Popular Degrees: Biology, Literature, and Medical Sciences
A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 14 liberal arts colleges in Maine. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in Maine, schools must fully accredited institutions.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2024
- #25 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1510/34
Career Outlook for degree at Bowdoin College
Cost of Degree: $64,910Expenses: $20,190Starting Salary: $83,300Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryBowdoin College is a selective and historic private educational institution in Brunswick, offering over 82 programs.
What we love about Bowdoin College:
It implements a need-blind admissions policy where the student’s ability to pay for education is not a factor in admission.
Bowdoin College is ideal for students who:
Prefers a college where around 98% of its full-time faculty members hold terminal degrees or the highest degree in their field of study.
Bowdoin College might not be the best fit for students who:
Don’t want to study in a school located on the fringes of a town.
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
Other Rankings
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
93%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1470/32
Career Outlook for degree at Bates College
Cost of Degree: $63,478Expenses: $20,054Starting Salary: $74,300Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryBates College is a Lewiston-based private higher education institution focusing on the liberal arts and general sciences. It currently offers around 35 majors and several minors.
What we love about Bates College:
All of its faculty members hold the highest possible degree in their field of study.
Bates College is ideal for students who:
Want a curriculum that provides many options, including the opportunity to design their own majors.
Bates College might not be the best fit for students who:
Are not comfortable or don’t thrive in small-sized classes with low student- faculty ratios.
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
88%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/33
Career Outlook for degree at Colby College
Cost of Degree: $66,600Expenses: $18,820Starting Salary: $71,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryColby College is a Waterville-based private residential liberal arts institution of higher education offering 58 majors and 37 minors through its four schools.
What we love about Colby College:
Its Museum of Art is a destination for American and contemporary art pieces. It also serves as a teaching museum and serves as a venue that engages local, national and worldwide communities.
Colby College is ideal for students who:
Are intellectually adventurous individuals with a desire to provide meaningful contributions to diverse communities.
Colby College might not be the best fit for students who:
Are looking for the lower tuition costs.
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Maine 2025
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024
- #8 Best Online Master's in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs
- #13 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
- #19 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
42%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1109/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Maine
Cost of Degree: $10,920Expenses: $15,892Starting Salary: $44,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryThe University of Southern Maine is a public institution of higher education based in Portland that offers almost 300 academic programs at undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels in various study formats.
What we love about USM:
Students at USM can personalize their academic programs by mixing certificates, minors and majors from the hundreds of options offered by the school.
USM is ideal for students who:
Want a career in the fields of nursing, social work, or music,as the university is widely recognized for these programs.
USM might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a large campus located in rural areas.
University of Southern Maine’s Online Degrees
BS in Applied Technical Leadership
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social And Behavioral Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Leadership And Organizational Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Integrative Professional Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #7 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
58%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at College of the Atlantic
Cost of Degree: $46,179Expenses: $12,087Starting Salary: $27,800Cost Recoup Time: 24 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryBased in Bar Harbor, the College of the Atlantic is a private liberal arts-focused institution of higher education that is one of the few colleges to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology degree.
What we love about COA:
Students have the freedom to uniquely design their human ecology degree by selecting from a number of courses.
COA is ideal for students who:
Want an interdisciplinary and experiential education that explores human relationships with various environments.
COA might not be the best fit for students who:
Want a broader range of programs to choose from.
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #8 Best Colleges in Maine 2025 #8 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
66%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
Career Outlook for degree at Maine Maritime Academy
Cost of Degree: $14,746Expenses: $16,426Starting Salary: $107,200Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryBased in the coastal town of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a public, co- educational college with14 academic programs at associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels, some of which are available with dual-major options. The institution focuses on providing training and education in various areas of maritime training, including engineering, science, management, and transportation.
What we love about MMA:
It provides students with hands-on training, cooperative education assignments, international sea-time, cadet shipping aboard commercial vessels, and many other experiential learning opportunities.
MMA is ideal for students who:
Aspire to become world-class maritime professionals such as mariners, engineers, logistics specialists, supply chain managers, and marine biologists.
MMA might not be the best fit for students who:
Do not aspire to a career that involves being on or close to oceans.
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #6 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
23%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Augusta
Cost of Degree: $8,618Expenses: $13,500Starting Salary: $30,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryThe University of Maine at Augusta is the third largest university in the University of Maine System. It currently offers 22 baccalaureate programs that include many concentration options within a major, as well as several graduate-level degree and certificate programs.
What we love about UMA:
The university has more than three decades of experience in providing distance education or online education to students.
UMA is ideal for students who:
Are full-time first-year students looking for a chance to qualify for a zero-tuition post-secondary education.
UMA might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer studying on a campus located in an urban area or close to bustling city life.
- #7 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #10 Best Colleges in Maine 2025 #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Maine
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
50%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Thomas College
Cost of Degree: $30,896Expenses: $17,378Starting Salary: $43,400Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryThomas College is a private residential institution of higher education offering 55 undergraduate in-person programs and 16 graduate-level programs in both online and traditional formats.
What we love about Thomas College:
Exceptional students can qualify for the Kiest-Morgan Scholarship, which enables them to complete their master’s degree in one year after finishing their undergraduate degree in three years.
Thomas College is ideal for students who:
Want to secure their future by enrolling in a college with a record of 98% of graduates either employed or enrolled in graduate schools within 6 months of completing their academic programs.
Thomas College might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer to study in a bigger city.
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
53%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Farmington
Cost of Degree: $10,989Expenses: $15,374Starting Salary: $37,500Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryThe University of Maine at Farmington was founded in 1864 initially as the state’s first publicly funded school for training teachers. Today, it offers more than 60 undergraduate and master’s degree programs, some of which are offered online.
What we love about UMF:
It has a special program, Liberal Arts Undecided, which allows students to explore their interests for up to two full years before deciding on a major.
UMF is ideal for students who:
Want to obtain quality education from a nationally recognized regional college.
UMF might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer lower tuition costs.
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #5 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024 #23 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
29%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Presque Isle
Cost of Degree: $9,080Expenses: $13,700Starting Salary: $35,300Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryThe University of Maine at Presque Isle was initially established in 1903 as a two-year teacher preparation program. It now offers 22 bachelor’s degree programs, as well as 45 certificates, associate’s degrees, and minor programs.
What we love about UMPI:
It is nationally recognized as a leader in competency-based education through its YourPace degree completion program designed with an asynchronous and fully online personalized learning model that enables adult learners to advance their coursework at a speed that complements their schedule.
UMPI is ideal for students who:
Enjoy studying in a residential campus located on the fringe of rural areas.
UMPI might not be the best fit for students who:
Don’t find large class sizes and high student-faculty ratios to be appealing.
University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Online Degrees
BA in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Project Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BLS in Liberal Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Management
- Project Management
- Educational Studies
- Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
Degree Concentrations
- Professional Communication And Journalism
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #25 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Maine
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
70%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Cost of Degree: $42,834Expenses: $17,836Starting Salary: $47,000Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salarySaint Joseph’s College of Maine is a private Roman Catholic-affiliated co-educational and primarily residential liberal arts college established in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy. It offers over 35 undergraduate and 37 graduate-level campus and online programs.
What we love about SJC:
SJC has a “Community Engagement” Carnegie Foundation classification, which is a testament to the institution’s dedication to community service.
SJC is ideal for students who:
Are looking for residential campuses with pet-friendly housing options.
SJC might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer better dining options.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine’s Online Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Banking
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSW in Social Work
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Theological Studies
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Administration
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Information Management
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Long Term Care Administration
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Maine 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Maine
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
37%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Fort Kent
Cost of Degree: $9,045Expenses: $12,532Starting Salary: $37,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryThe University of Maine at Fort Kent presents on-campus and online programs at undergraduate, graduate and certificate levels in various fields of study.
What we love about UMFK:
It offers career‐focused academic programs that integrate experiential learning and relevant education to meet the demands of the modern workforce.
UMFK is ideal for students who:
Prefer the low student-faculty ratio of 17:1, in order to benefit from the individualized attention provided by professors.
UMFK might not be the best fit for students who:
Find the many outdoor activities around the campus to be too distracting.
University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Online Degrees
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Allied Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #8 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #8 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024
The University of Maine at Machias, a public post-secondary education school, offers a range of minors and majors in its Divisions of Professional Studies, Arts and Letters, and Environmental and Biological Sciences.
What we love about UMaine Machias:
Its courses are designed to be student-focused, providing experiential learning, community engagement, and partnerships.
UMaine Machias is ideal for students who:
Are interested in being a part of Greek life with plenty of student activities.
UMaine Machias might not be the best fit for students who:
Find the school’s nine baccalaureate degree programs and three associate degrees to be too limited.
University of Maine at Machias’s Online Degrees
BA in Psychology And Community Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Geographic Information Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #4 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
53%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Unity Environmental University
Cost of Degree: $12,640Expenses: $14,236Starting Salary: $37,400Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryUnity Environmental University is a private liberal arts institution of higher education offering undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on sustainability.
What we love about Unity Environmental University:
It is the first college in the country to divest itself of fossil fuels, a sign of its commitment to be an institution where science meets social responsibility.
Unity Environmental University is ideal for students who:
Are passionate about sustainability efforts for the protection of the environment.
Unity Environmental University might not be the best fit for students who:
Don’t find campuses in distant rural areas to be appealing.
Unity Environmental University’s Online Degrees
BS in Conservation Law Enforcement
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
BS in Animal Health And Behavior
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Animal Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Captive Wildlife Care
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
BS in Environmental Geospatial Technologies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Health And Safety
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Health And Wellness
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Justice And Social Change
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
BS in Environmental Science And Climate Change
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Leadership And Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Marine Biology And Sustainable Aquaculture
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sustainable Business Management
Degree Concentrations
- Adventure Ecotourism
- Hemp Industry And Science
- Renewable Energy
- Sustainable Food And Farming
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Wildlife And Fisheries Biology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
Maine’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.
Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.