Best Private Colleges in Maine 2025
Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Maine.
Key Takeaways
- The best private colleges in Maine provide unique opportunities where students can explore innovative courses or internships.
- Many of the best private colleges in Maine offer extensive study abroad programs, allowing students to gain international experience and broaden their cultural understanding.
- The colleges in our ranking often foster a culture of community involvement, encouraging students to participate in local service projects and internships that enhance their educational experience and benefit the surrounding area.
Best Private Colleges in Maine in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best private colleges in Maine saw a considerable amount of shuffling. The University of New England gained the fourth ranking position as the university is implementing several enhancements to enrich the student experience. The university is advancing its strategic plan, focusing on modernizing facilities and infrastructure to support academic excellence and student success. This includes creating new spaces that invigorate the learning and living environment.
Additionally, UNE’s commitment to global education is exemplified by its Tangier Campus, offering students unique international study opportunities. These developments demonstrate UNE’s dedication to providing a dynamic and supportive environment for its students.
This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 8 private universities in Maine. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Maine, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.
Best Private Colleges in Maine
- #25 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
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 salaryWhat is Bowdoin College known for?
Bowdoin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Economics
- History
- Biology
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Education
- Mathematics
- Sociology
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
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 salaryWhat is Bates College known for?
Bates College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Political Science
- Physics
- Economics
- Chemistry
- History
- Religious Studies
- Biology
- Psychology
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
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 salaryWhat is Colby College known for?
Colby College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Sociology
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Physics
- Political Science
- Biology
- Education
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Research Universities in Maine 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Maine 2025
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
59%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at University of New England
Cost of Degree: $42,550Expenses: $21,140Starting Salary: $51,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of New England known for?
University of New England ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Education
- Biology
- Literature
- Political Science
- History
- Computer Science
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #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 salaryWhat is College of the Atlantic known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #10 Best Colleges in Maine 2025 #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Maine
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 salaryWhat is Thomas College known for?
Thomas College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Education
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Communications
- Literature
- Political Science
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #25 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024 #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Maine
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 salaryWhat is Saint Joseph's College of Maine known for?
Saint Joseph's College of Maine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #4 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024 #5 Best Online MBAs in Sustainability #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Maine 2025
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’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 Private Colleges in Your Area 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 private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.
