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Best Colleges in Maine

All 28 colleges in Maine, ranked by overall quality and led by Bowdoin College, Colby College and Bates College. 14 public, 14 private. median out-of-state tuition $23,304. lowest in-state tuition $4,140 at Central Maine Community College. Each school below shows its acceptance rate, tuition and average SAT.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best college in Maine?

Based on our overall rankings, Bowdoin College is the top-ranked college in Maine. Other strong choices include Colby College, Bates College, Maine Maritime Academy.

How many colleges are in Maine?

We track 28 four-year colleges in Maine, including 14 public institutions and 14 private ones.

How much does college cost in Maine?

The average out-of-state tuition across colleges we track in Maine is approximately $23,304 per year. In-state students at public schools typically pay significantly less, and most schools offer financial aid that reduces the effective cost.

What are the best public colleges in Maine?

The best public colleges in Maine include Maine Maritime Academy, University of Maine, University of Maine at Fort Kent. Public universities typically offer lower tuition for in-state residents.

What are the best private colleges in Maine?

The best private colleges in Maine include Bowdoin College, Colby College, Bates College. Private colleges may offer more generous financial aid despite higher sticker prices.

How are these Maine rankings determined?

Our overall rankings are calculated independently from publicly available data including U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS, and aggregated student-experience signals — not from US News or any other publication.

  1. 1. Bowdoin College — Brunswick, ME · 7.1% acceptance · SAT 1,520 · $67,832 tuition · 95% grad rate
  2. 2. Colby College — Waterville, ME · 7.1% acceptance · SAT 1,501 · $69,600 tuition · 89% grad rate
  3. 3. Bates College — Lewiston, ME · 13.3% acceptance · SAT 1,468 · $66,590 tuition · 90% grad rate
  4. 4. Maine Maritime Academy — Castine, ME · 54.1% acceptance · SAT 1,166 · $31,102 tuition · 58% grad rate
  5. 5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine — Standish, ME · 83.5% acceptance · SAT 1,040 · $44,420 tuition · 66% grad rate
  6. 6. University of New England — Biddeford, ME · 91.6% acceptance · $44,210 tuition · 68% grad rate
  7. 7. College of the Atlantic — Bar Harbor, ME · 70.2% acceptance · SAT 1,370 · $47,997 tuition · 68% grad rate
  8. 8. Maine College of Health Professions — Lewiston, ME · 71.4% acceptance · $20,952 tuition · 67% grad rate
  9. 9. University of Maine — Orono, ME · 96.6% acceptance · $36,756 tuition · 55% grad rate
  10. 10. Husson University — Bangor, ME · 81% acceptance · SAT 1,180 · $23,304 tuition · 59% grad rate
  11. 11. Thomas College — Waterville, ME · 96.3% acceptance · $31,824 tuition · 54% grad rate
  12. 12. University of Maine at Fort Kent — Fort Kent, ME · 97.9% acceptance · $14,880 tuition · 39% grad rate
  13. 13. University of Maine at Farmington — Farmington, ME · 96.7% acceptance · SAT 1,130 · $23,878 tuition · 52% grad rate
  14. 14. University of Southern Maine — Portland, ME · 79.2% acceptance · SAT 1,116 · $27,944 tuition · 40% grad rate
  15. 15. Maine College of Art & Design — Portland, ME · 76.1% acceptance · $42,942 tuition · 52% grad rate
  16. 16. University of Maine at Presque Isle — Presque Isle, ME · 99.9% acceptance · $14,862 tuition · 45% grad rate
  17. 17. Kennebec Valley Community College — Fairfield, ME · $7,036 tuition · 39% grad rate
  18. 18. Northern Maine Community College — Presque Isle, ME · $7,036 tuition · 42% grad rate
  19. 19. University of Maine at Machias — Machias, ME · SAT 970 · $18,540 tuition · 28% grad rate
  20. 20. York County Community College — Wells, ME · $7,036 tuition · 34% grad rate
  21. 21. Eastern Maine Community College — Bangor, ME · $7,036 tuition · 32% grad rate
  22. 22. Central Maine Community College — Auburn, ME · $7,020 tuition · 30% grad rate
  23. 23. Unity Environmental University — New Gloucester, ME · $12,640 tuition · 44% grad rate
  24. 24. University of Maine at Augusta — Augusta, ME · $22,178 tuition · 27% grad rate
  25. 25. Southern Maine Community College — South Portland, ME · $7,036 tuition · 28% grad rate
  26. 26. Beal University — Bangor, ME · 36% grad rate
  27. 27. Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts — Portland, ME
  28. 28. Maine Media College — Rockport, ME

Best Colleges in Maine on PickACampus