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The Best Public Colleges in Maine

Here are the top public colleges that in Maine. The school list below shows tuition after financial aid, and with the benefit of in-state tuition. Smaller schools are excluded from our list.

  1. University of Maine

    University of Maine is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Orono, ME. It has an enrollment of 9,246 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 96.46%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,067. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1180.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 26.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
    • Food Science and Technology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,615
    • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,658
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $41,937
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,726
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $41,789
    • Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,798
    • Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,509
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,464
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,737
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $62,775
    • Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,499
    • Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
    • Construction Engineering Technologies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,649
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,381
    • Marine Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,141
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,443
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $43,798
    • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,808
    • International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,059
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,585
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,218
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,428
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,309
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,007

    University of Maine School Spirit

    The University of Maine has a strong school spirit, with various traditions and events that foster a sense of community and pride among students. The university’s athletic teams, known as the Black Bears, are popular among students and the wider community, with a dedicated student section at games. Homecoming week is a particularly big event on campus, with a parade, bonfire, and other activities to bring students and alumni together. The university also has a marching band and several clubs and organizations related to school spirit. Overall, school spirit is an important part of the University of Maine experience.

    Learn more about University of Maine

  2. University of Maine at Augusta

    University of Maine at Augusta is a four-year, higher part-time, higher education institution located in Augusta, ME. It has an enrollment of 3,020 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is unreported. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $9,889. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. (Associate’s Degree) – $29,092
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $49,937
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,956
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,816
    • Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. (Associate’s Degree) – $33,138
    • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,374
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Associate’s Degree) – $49,918
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,358
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,637
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281

    University of Maine at Augusta School Spirit

    At the University of Maine at Augusta, there are several popular extracurricular activities. Some of the most popular extracurriculars at UMA include the Student Government Association (SGA), the Student Activities Board (SAB), the Diversity Committee, the Environmental Club, the Criminal Justice Society, the Theatre Club, and the Veterans Association. Additionally, UMA offers a variety of academic and career-oriented student organizations, as well as intramural sports, community service activities, and cultural events.

    Learn more about University of Maine at Augusta

  3. University of Maine at Farmington

    University of Maine at Farmington is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Farmington, ME. It has an enrollment of 1,380 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 96.69%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $13,863. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,284
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,882
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,397
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,687
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,047
    • Business/Managerial Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771

    University of Maine at Farmington School Spirit

    The University of Maine at Farmington is known for its strong school spirit. The campus community is tight-knit and students take pride in their university. There are a variety of events and activities throughout the year that promote school spirit, including sports games, festivals, and performances. The UMF athletic teams, known as the Beavers, also enjoy strong support from the student body. Overall, school spirit at the University of Maine at Farmington is an important part of campus life.

    Learn more about University of Maine at Farmington

  4. University of Southern Maine

    University of Southern Maine is a four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Portland, ME. It has an enrollment of 4,668 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 86.99%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $9,472. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1112.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 22.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,854
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $43,240
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $45,767
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,493
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,728
    • Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,231
    • Law. (First Professional Degree) – $55,594
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,774
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,649
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,526
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Public Policy Analysis. (Master’s Degree) – $49,644
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
    • Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $42,203
    • Criminology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
    • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Social Sciences, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,615
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $18,309
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $51,690
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,422
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $95,169
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,160
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,852
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $54,869
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,342
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925

    University of Southern Maine School Spirit

    The school spirit at the University of Southern Maine is generally considered to be moderate. Although the university does not have a large sports program due to the lack of a football team, they do have several other varsity sports teams that compete in the Little East Conference. The university also has a strong culture of activism and community involvement, which fosters a sense of pride and belonging among students. Additionally, the university hosts several events and traditions throughout the academic year, which help to build school spirit and a sense of community on campus. Overall, while the university may not have the same level of school spirit as some larger universities, it is still an important aspect of campus life at the University of Southern Maine.

    Learn more about University of Southern Maine