The Best Colleges in Maine 2024

With approximately 50 online programs spanning various levels and more than 40 undergraduate on-campus programs available too, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine has a lot to offer both local and long-distance students. This private, not-for-profit Roman Catholic institution is a liberal arts college that nurtures intellectual, spiritual, and social growth in students of all ages and all faiths within a value-centered environment. There are currently around 1,000 students enrolled on-campus at this rural, lake-side college. Full-time on campus tuition costs approximately $38,820. However, 96% of students receive some form of financial aid. While students who attend Saint Joseph’s College of Maine on-campus can only achieve undergraduate degrees, online students can earn degrees or certificates at both the undergraduate and graduate level. SJCME offer a number of hybrid courses including an ABSN. There is a wide variety of online programs available, including interdisciplinary studies, business, education, nursing, accounting, health administration, and of course, Catholic theology. One of the primary goals of Saint Joseph’s College is to make sure that their students are prepared to enter the workforce. Because of this, both on-campus and online students have access to tutoring services, IT assistance, an online library, and exclusive access to the Handshake job search platform.

One of the main draws to the University of Maine is its Think 30 program, which encourages all students to take 30 credits per year. This ensures that they graduate in four years, which helps students reduce the amount of debt that they accrue. A public, four-year university, the University of Maine currently has a little more than 11,000 students enrolled. In-state tuition is $8,580, and out of state tuition runs $27,960. However, 91% of students receive some form of financial aid. The school currently accepts 92% of applicants and 58% of students graduate. The University of Maine has 2 online bachelor’s and 11 online master’s programs, including political science, special education, spatial informatics, and information systems. Further, the University of Maine has 15 online post-baccalaureate certificate programs. If you want to enroll in online college courses in Maine, the University of Maine has your back. Online students have access to year-round courses, as well as placement and counseling services.

At number 3 on our list, the University of Maine at Fort Kent has a lot of different benefits for online students. The school has invested into one on one support from faculty and specifically caters to the needs of international students. UMFK accepts 75% of applicants, and 50% of students end up graduating. They have 1,500 students currently enrolled, and in-state tuition runs at $6,600. However, 86% of students receive some form of financial aid.

There are 12 available online programs, including cybersecurity, allied health, information security, forest management, conservation law enforcement, accounting, and nursing. The University of Maine at Fort Kent also offers a self-designed Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree, which students design for themselves, based on their own interests. Online students have access to many forms of support from the university. This includes the availability hybrid degree programs, completely online programs, credit for life experience, placement services, and counseling services.

Husson University offers the quality of a private school but at the cost of a public school. There is no difference between in state and out of state tuition, and both run $15,717. 90% of the 3,500 students at Husson will receive some form of financial aid, and the school accepts 72% of applicants. The current graduation rate is 41%. There are many attractive qualities to getting an online degree from Husson. The school has designed their programs to embrace global engagement and increase experiential learning. There are nine online programs, ranging from business administration to marketing, software development, and nursing. Students at Husson have the freedom to take classes in an accelerated and flexible format. Husson students also can receive school credit for life experiences and have access to placement services and counseling services.

Like Husson, the University of Maine at Machias has the same tuition for in state and out of state students. For both, tuition will run at $6,600. However, 87% of the 800 students enrolled at UMM will receive some form of financial aid. UMM accepts 79% of applicants, and 29% will end up graduating. UMM offers 11 online undergraduate programs, including psychology, community studies, and entrepreneurship. They also offer a psychology degree with two different emphases, applied psychology, and disabilities in youth. There are many services available to UMM students, including personalized instruction, student-centered programs, credit for life experiences, placement services, and counseling services.

With 19 online programs, the University of Southern Maine has a ton to offer online students. Tuition runs at $7,796, but 63% of the school’s 8,000 students receive some form of financial aid. USM accepts 84% of applicants, and 32% of students end up graduating. USM boasts degrees in leadership, business, humanities, communication, and psychology. Additionally, the school offers a variety of services to online students, including credit for experience, library services, as well as placement and counseling services. One primary benefits to USM is that they only require a computer to take classes. They do not require any other software or technology to participate in classes.

If you are looking to get an online degree in a health field, the University of New England is a perfect fit. They have heavily invested their online services into the health and sciences field. There are 9 online degrees available, in applied nutrition, social work, public health, education, health informatics, and medical education leadership, among others. UNE costs $32,175, but 100% of the school’s 12,000 students receive some form of financial aid. The school accepts 86% of applicants, and 58% of students end up graduating. Online students have access to some services, such as credit for experience, placement services, and counseling services.

Business logistics are the focus of the online programs from Maine Maritime Academy. You can get a degree in international business, logistics, accounting, finance, global supply chain management, and strategic global management. The average cost of attending MMA is $21,070, and 29% of the school’s 1,000 students receive some financial aid. They accept 79% of applicants, and 74% of students will end up graduating. Online students have access to placement services, counseling services, and credit for experience. Prospective students should be aware that students must complete the requirements for graduation within four years.

One of the primary draws to the University of Maine at Augusta is that they offer an entirely online architecture degree. Very few schools offer this kind of degree entirely online. Other online degrees from UMA include American Studies, French, nursing, social science, biology, information technology, library sciences, and aviation. UMA costs $228 per credit hour, but 26% of the school’s 6,000 students receive financial aid. They accept 94% of applicants, and 13% of students end up graduating. Online students can receive credit for life experiences, as well as placement services and counseling services.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers a variety of online degrees that are not available at many other schools. These include film studies, medical lab technology, and women’s studies. Students at UMPI can also get an online degree in accounting, project management, and English. The average cost of attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle is $10,374, and 79% of the school’s 1,200 students benefit from financial aid. The school accepts 100% of applicants, and 43% of applicants end up graduating. Online students have access to a variety of services, including access to credit for life experiences, placement, and counseling services. UMPI also has a Center for Innovative Learning, which offers tutoring, library research assistance, and writing support).

For students seeking out a two-year online degree, Kennebec Valley Community College is one of the best community colleges in Maine. There are 12 available online degrees, including early childhood education, business administration, and radiologic technology. In-state tuition costs $17,035, and 66% of the school’s 2,436 students benefit from financial aid. They accept 100% of applicants, and 34% of applicants end up graduating. Online students have access to an online library, student advisement, and career services.

York County Community College offers a variety of degree options, including some programs that are fully online, and 8 programs that can be completed 80% online. This is a perfect option for students who want to combine the flexibility of online classes with the experience of being a student on campus. Students at YCCC can get an online degree in the arts and sciences, as well as business, and education. Tuition costs $3,540, and 20% of students will end up graduating. Online students have access to library services, as well as flexibility in completing online courses.