Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024

Published: Jan 4, 2022
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Maine ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Top 10 Online Colleges in Maine

University of Maine
University of Southern Maine
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Unity Environmental University
University of Maine at Presque Isle
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Husson University
University of Maine at Machias

University of Maine
University of Southern Maine
Husson University
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
University of Maine at Fort Kent
University of Maine at Machias
Unity Environmental University

University of Maine at Fort Kent 99%
University of Maine at Presque Isle 97%
Unity Environmental University 94%
University of Maine 94%
Husson University 91%
University of Southern Maine 85%
Saint Joseph's College of Maine 81%

Unity Environmental University 36 to 1
University of Maine at Presque Isle 23 to 1
University of Maine at Fort Kent 17 to 1
Husson University 16 to 1
University of Maine 14 to 1
University of Southern Maine 14 to 1
Saint Joseph's College of Maine 10 to 1

Saint Joseph's College of Maine $41,586
Husson University $21,090
Unity Environmental University $12,640
University of Maine $11,640
University of Southern Maine $8,064
University of Maine at Fort Kent $7,350
University of Maine at Presque Isle $7,350

Husson University $17,220
University of Maine at Presque Isle $12,000
Unity Environmental University $9,750
University of Maine $9,738
Saint Joseph's College of Maine $9,630
University of Southern Maine $7,776
University of Maine at Fort Kent $7,350

University of Maine at Machias
Husson University
University of Maine at Fort Kent
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Unity Environmental University
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
University of Southern Maine
University of Maine

Unity Environmental University
University of Maine at Machias
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Husson University
University of Southern Maine
University of Maine

Saint Joseph's College of Maine 81%
University of Southern Maine 85%
Husson University 91%
University of Maine 94%
Unity Environmental University 94%
University of Maine at Presque Isle 97%
University of Maine at Fort Kent 99%

Saint Joseph's College of Maine 10 to 1
University of Maine 14 to 1
University of Southern Maine 14 to 1
Husson University 16 to 1
University of Maine at Fort Kent 17 to 1
University of Maine at Presque Isle 23 to 1
Unity Environmental University 36 to 1

University of Maine at Fort Kent $7,350
University of Maine at Presque Isle $7,350
University of Southern Maine $8,064
University of Maine $11,640
Unity Environmental University $12,640
Husson University $21,090
Saint Joseph's College of Maine $41,586

University of Maine at Fort Kent $7,350
University of Southern Maine $7,776
Saint Joseph's College of Maine $9,630
University of Maine $9,738
Unity Environmental University $9,750
University of Maine at Presque Isle $12,000
Husson University $17,220

Key Takeaways

Colleges in Maine are accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, the same accrediting agency for in-person and online schools in Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
The state’s employment situation is relatively favorable, with vacancies exceeding the number of applicants who have earned degrees from online bachelor’s programs in online schools!
While the cost of higher education in Maine is slightly higher than the national average, the state has a plethora of financial aid for traditional and online programs for students to save on tuition, including loan forgiveness programs, scholarships, and grants.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Becoming a Maine Resident for Out-of-State Students

Many online colleges and universities in the Maine University System offer above-average academic programs with reasonable tuition rates. However, out-of-state students interested in pursuing their online education in Maine should know that they will be paying out-of-state tuition fees, which are more expensive.

Regarding residency requirements, Maine has more rigorous policies in obtaining domicile than other states. The state requires more loyalty to Maine, in which students must prove that they aren’t in Maine only to become a student.

While most residency requirements vary, students will have higher chances of getting approved if they live in the state for at least a year before submitting their application to a prospective school in Maine.

Students should also demonstrate that they haven’t traveled and applied to other schools outside Maine. Exceptions apply to the military/veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, dependents using GI Bills, and students eligible for a regional tuition reciprocity agreement.

On a positive note, the state’s unemployment rate is at 3.6%, indicating a favorable trend that the number of jobs available has exceeded the number of job seekers!

Colleges and Universities in Maine

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.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

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.

What are Maine’s Colleges & Universities?

Maine’s Best Overall

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

How do we determine the best online colleges for undergrads?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Colleges in Maine 2023

#1
University of Maine
Orono , ME
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2024 #1 Best Research Universities in Maine 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2024
Other Rankings
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: $12,136
Expenses: $15,320
Starting Salary: $48,300
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration

Concentrations

Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BA in Economics

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BA in Political Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Surveying Engineering Technology

Required Credits: 125
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BUS in University Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
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#2
University of Southern Maine
Portland , ME
#2 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2024
Other Rankings
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: $10,100
Expenses: $14,784
Starting Salary: $44,400
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Applied Technical Leadership

Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Business Administration

Concentrations

Management

Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BA in Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Leadership And Organizational Studies

Concentrations

Integrative Professional Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies

Concentrations

Humanities

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BA in Social And Behavioral Sciences

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
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#3
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish , ME
#25 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
70%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Cost of Degree: $41,586
Expenses: $17,836
Starting Salary: $47,000
Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration

Concentrations

Banking

Required Credits: 4-6 years
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Health Administration

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Health Information Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Long Term Care Administration

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Program type: Completion degree
Required Credits: 120 overall
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
BS in Radiologic Science Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BSW in Social Work

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Theological Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
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#4
Unity Environmental University
New Gloucester , ME
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
53%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Unity Environmental University
Cost of Degree: $12,640
Expenses: $13,884
Starting Salary: $37,400
Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Animal Health and Behavior

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Animal Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Geospatial Technologies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Health and Safety

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Health and Wellness

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Justice and Social Change

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Science and Climate Change

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Marine Biology and Sustainable Aquaculture

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Sustainable Business Management

Concentrations

Adventure Ecotourism
Hemp Industry and Science
Renewable Energy
Sustainable Food and Farming

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Wildlife Conservation

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
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#5
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Presque Isle , ME
#6 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2024 #23 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 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: $8,750
Expenses: $13,300
Starting Salary: $35,300
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BA in Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1-4 years
Format: Online
BA in Business Administration

Concentrations

Accounting
Project Management
Management and Leadership
Supply Chain Management
Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1-4 years
Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1-4 years
Format: Online
BA in English

Concentrations

Professional Communication And Journalism

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1-4 years
Format: Online
BA in History and Political Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1-4 years
Format: Online
BLS in Liberal Studies

Concentrations

Accounting
Management
Project Management
Educational Studies
Management Information Systems

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1-4 years
Format: Online
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#6
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent , ME
#7 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Maine #1 Best Online Associate Degrees 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: $8,542
Expenses: $13,054
Starting Salary: $37,700
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Allied Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN To BSN)

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#7
Husson University
Bangor , ME
#4 Best Online MBA Programs in Maine #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Maine 2024 #18 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024 #19 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
60%
Student body
4K
Online Degree Completion Degrees
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 122-123
Completion time: 1-2 years
Format: Online
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 121-122
Completion time: 1-2 years
Format: Online
BS in Business and Professional Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1-2 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 60
Completion time: 1.5 years
Format: Online
BS in Integrated Technology

Concentrations

Software Development
Web Design and Development

Required Credits: 121-122
Completion time: 1-2 years
Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Administration and Public Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
BSBA in Management

Required Credits: 121-122
Completion time: 1-2 years
Format: Online
BSBA in Marketing

Required Credits: 121-122
Completion time: 1-2 years
Format: Online
BS in Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1 year
Format: Online
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#8
University of Maine at Machias
#8 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2024
Online Degrees
BS in Business and Entrepreneurial Studies

Required Credits: 120 total
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BCS: Bachelor of College Studies

Concentrations

Special Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Education

Concentrations

Special Education
Inclusive Early Childhood

Required Credits: 120 total
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Geographic Information Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BA in Psychology and Community Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school

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Best Online Colleges in Maine 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Maine

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Becoming a Maine Resident for Out-of-State Students

Colleges and Universities in Maine

What are Maine’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Colleges in Maine 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Maine

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Unity Environmental University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Presque Isle

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at University of Maine at Fort Kent

Online Degrees

Online Degree Completion Degrees

Concentrations

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

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