Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Maine provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
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.
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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.
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 8 public universities in Maine. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Maine, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
56%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
University of Maine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
36%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1055/22
University of Southern Maine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
19%
Student body
3K
University of Maine at Augusta’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
74%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1105/24
Maine Maritime Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
60%
Student body
2K
University of Maine at Farmington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
31%
Student body
<1K
University of Maine at Presque Isle’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
39%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
975/18
University of Maine at Fort Kent’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
34%
Student body
<1K
University of Maine at Machias’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utiulized 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.