Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025
Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Maine. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
Key Takeaways
- Many affordable colleges in Maine provide career-focused programs in areas like healthcare, marine sciences, and education, helping students gain practical skills and certifications for high-demand jobs in the state.
- Many of the affordable colleges in this ranking have clear transfer pathways to the University of Maine system, allowing students to begin their education at a lower cost and transfer seamlessly to complete their bachelor’s degrees at a four-year institution.
- Affordable colleges in Maine offer competitive in-state tuition rates, combined with a range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs to make education more accessible to Maine residents.
Most Affordable 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 ten schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Maine saw some changes in rankings. Maine Maritime Academy gained the most ranking positions as the school enhanced their Marine Technology and Operations Center, offering state-of-the-art simulation labs and hands-on training with advanced maritime navigation and engineering technologies. The academy has also expanded its sustainability initiatives, incorporating renewable energy systems and green technologies into its marine engineering programs, preparing students for the growing demand in eco-friendly maritime operations.
There are 9 colleges and universities in Maine with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Maine is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
Most Affordable Colleges in Maine
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Research Universities in Maine 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
55%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/26
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine
Cost of Degree: $12,606Expenses: $15,966Starting Salary: $48,300Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Maine known for?
University of Maine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Psychology
- Earth Sciences
- Biology
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Economics
- Communications
- Education
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
University of Maine’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BUS in University Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #5 Best Colleges in Maine 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 salaryWhat is University of Southern Maine known for?
University of Southern Maine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #5 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #8 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
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 salaryWhat is Maine Maritime Academy known for?
Maine Maritime Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #6 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #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 salaryWhat is University of Maine at Augusta known for?
University of Maine at Augusta’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #5 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #8 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025
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 salaryWhat is University of Maine at Farmington known for?
University of Maine at Farmington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Earth Sciences
- Biology
- Education
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- History
- Anthropology
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #9 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #5 Best Online Colleges in Maine 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 salaryWhat is University of Maine at Presque Isle known for?
University of Maine at Presque Isle’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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
- #7 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Maine 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Maine #6 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024
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 salaryWhat is University of Maine at Fort Kent known for?
University of Maine at Fort Kent’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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
What is University of Maine at Machias known for?
University of Maine at Machias’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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
- #8 Best Private 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
