Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2026
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 2026
There are 9 colleges and universities in Maine with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. This roundup focuses on fully accredited institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees and report tuition and fees at or near the national average (about $16,000/year), highlighting options that keep direct academic costs low for in-state and out-of-state students.
Beyond sticker tuition, affordability depends on program length, required fees, room and board, and available financial aid and scholarships. The short profiles that follow prioritize transparent, comparable tuition figures while noting the additional cost factors students should weigh when choosing the most affordable college in Maine for their needs.
Most Affordable Colleges in Maine
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2026 #1 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in Maine 2026 #1 Best Colleges in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
57%
Student body
14K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine
Cost of Degree: $12,606Expenses: $15,966Starting Salary: $59,140Cost Recoup Time: 10 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: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BUS in University Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Surveying Engineering Technology
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #2 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2026 #2 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #5 Best Colleges in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
43%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/26
Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Maine
Cost of Degree: $10,920Expenses: $15,892Starting Salary: $57,989Cost Recoup Time: 10 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: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social And Behavioral Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Leadership And Organizational Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Integrative Professional Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Liberal Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Humanities
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2026 #4 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #7 Best Colleges in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
58%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1177/23
Career Outlook for degree at Maine Maritime Academy
Cost of Degree: $14,746Expenses: $16,426Starting Salary: $101,511Cost 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 2026 #6 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #9 Best Colleges in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
25%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Augusta
Cost of Degree: $8,618Expenses: $13,500Starting Salary: $44,543Cost Recoup Time: 10 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 2026 #7 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026 #10 Best Colleges in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
39%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Presque Isle
Cost of Degree: $9,080Expenses: $13,700Starting Salary: $47,161Cost Recoup Time: 10 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: 1-4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Project Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1-4 years
- Format: Fully online
BLS in Liberal Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Management
- Project Management
- Educational Studies
- Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1-4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1-4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in English
Degree Concentrations
- Professional Communication And Journalism
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1-4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in History And Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1-4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #6 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2026 #8 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2026 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
50%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Farmington
Cost of Degree: $10,989Expenses: $15,374Starting Salary: $47,674Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
- #7 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2026 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Maine 2026 #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Maine #6 Best Online Colleges in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
35%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Fort Kent
Cost of Degree: $9,045Expenses: $12,532Starting Salary: $56,874Cost Recoup Time: 8 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: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Allied Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully 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: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Environmental Geographic Information Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #8 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2026 #5 Best Online MBAs in Sustainability #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Biology 2026 #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Maine 2026
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
20%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Unity Environmental University
Cost of Degree: $12,640Expenses: $14,236Starting Salary: $46,894Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryUnity Environmental University’s Online Degrees
BS in Conservation Law Enforcement
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
BS in Animal Health And Behavior
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Animal Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Captive Wildlife Care
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
BS in Environmental Geospatial Technologies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Environmental Health And Safety
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Environmental Health And Wellness
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Environmental Justice And Social Change
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Environmental Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
BS in Environmental Science And Climate Change
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Environmental Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Leadership And Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Marine Biology And Sustainable Aquaculture
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully 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: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Wildlife And Fisheries Biology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
BS in Wildlife Conservation
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
Maine’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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