Best Private Colleges in Maine 2026

Badge for BEST IN MAINE PRIVATE COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Updated:

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 2026

  1. Bowdoin College
  2. Bates College
  3. Colby College
  4. University of New England
  5. College of the Atlantic
  6. Thomas College
  7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
  8. Unity Environmental University

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.

Use the list to compare institutions by the factors that matter most to you—academic programs and majors, class size and faculty access, experiential learning and internships, cost and financial aid, and campus culture. The selections are meant to highlight private, undergraduate-focused options across Maine; review each school’s program offerings and admissions profile to determine which align with your academic goals and career plans.

Best Private Colleges in Maine

  1. #1

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    #24 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2026 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #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: $64,910
    Expenses: $20,190
    Starting Salary: $83,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bowdoin College known for?

    Bowdoin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Bates College

    Lewiston , ME
    #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #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: $63,478
    Expenses: $20,054
    Starting Salary: $74,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bates College known for?

    Bates College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Colby College

    Waterville , ME
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #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: $66,600
    Expenses: $18,820
    Starting Salary: $71,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Colby College known for?

    Colby College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of New England

    Biddeford , ME
    #2 Best Research Universities in Maine 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2026 #6 Best Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Maine 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of New England

    Cost of Degree: $42,550
    Expenses: $21,140
    Starting Salary: $51,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of New England known for?

    University of New England ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  6. #5

    College of the Atlantic

    Bar Harbor , ME
    #4 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #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: $46,179
    Expenses: $12,087
    Starting Salary: $27,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 24 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is College of the Atlantic known for?

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Thomas College

    Waterville , ME
    #7 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #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: $30,896
    Expenses: $17,378
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Thomas College known for?

    Thomas College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Saint Joseph's College of Maine

    Standish , ME
    #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: $42,834
    Expenses: $17,836
    Starting Salary: $47,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
    Compare school
  9. #8

    Unity Environmental University

    New Gloucester , ME
    #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2026 #4 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024 #5 Best Online MBAs in Sustainability #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Biology 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Unity Environmental University

    Cost of Degree: $12,640
    Expenses: $14,236
    Starting Salary: $37,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Unity Environmental University known for?

    Unity Environmental University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    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
    Compare school
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Maine’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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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.

  1. Bowdoin College
  2. Bates College
  3. College of the Atlantic
  4. Colby College
  5. Unity Environmental University
  6. University of New England
  7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
  8. Thomas College

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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