Rankings / By State
Best Biology Colleges in Maine
- 10
- Schools
- $61,855
- Avg. Earnings
- 66%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,707
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,474
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $37,852 at the low end to $89,964 at the top. That 2.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Bowdoin College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $82,735 against $14,398 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is University of Southern Maine, at $13,596 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Bowdoin College graduates 95% of its students, well above the 66% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Bates College: graduates owe only 0.21× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Bowdoin College ($82,735 earnings), not the highest earner, Maine Maritime Academy ($89,964). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of Southern Maine ($13,596/yr) and University of New England ($38,107/yr) produce graduates earning $49,958 and $55,921 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $24,511 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Bowdoin College outperforms Maine Maritime Academy: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Bowdoin College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $59K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bowdoin College #1 overall | $82,735 ▲ +34% vs avg | $14,398 | 95% | 90 |
| 2 Bates College #2 overall | $69,498 ▲ +12% vs avg | $29,351 | 90% | 87 |
| 3 Colby College #3 overall | $80,490 ▲ +30% vs avg | $17,180 | 89% | 84 |
| $55,921 ▼ -10% vs avg | $38,107 | 65% | 73 | |
| $89,964 ▲ +45% vs avg | $23,414 | 60% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Biology Colleges in Maine
This analysis ranks 10 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $61,855 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 66% and an average net price of $21,707.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Bowdoin College — Net Price: $14,398 | Graduation Rate: 95%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Bowdoin College — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Maine Maritime Academy — Median alumni earnings: $89,964
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Maine Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Maine?
$57,483
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$18,307
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Maine serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
The median graduation rate across these 10 schools is 62%. Median graduate earnings reach $57,483 ten years after enrollment, roughly $9,483 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,307 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $24,750. Some 25% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.5%.
For Maine, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $18,307 and graduates earning a median of $57,483, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Bowdoin College lands at #1 with a 90/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (79/100). Graduates earn a median $82,735 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,398 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Bates College lands at #2 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $69,498 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,351 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Colby College lands at #3 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $80,490 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,180 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of New England lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $55,921 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $38,107 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Maine Maritime Academy lands at #5 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $89,964 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,414 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Southern Maine lands at #6 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,958 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,596 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Maine lands at #7 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,653 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,510 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Saint Joseph's College of Maine lands at #8 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (76/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $59,045 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,555 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Maine at Farmington lands at #9 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (59/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $44,433 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,857 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Unity Environmental University lands at #10 with a 51/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (55/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $37,852 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,104 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 10 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college for a biology program can feel like a daunting task, especially in a state like Maine where options may seem limited. However, several institutions stand out due to their strong outcomes and program focus. For prospective students, the choice should hinge on factors like graduation rates and post-graduate earnings.
The schools ranked here not only emphasize the quality of their biology programs but also the tangible results that follow. Metrics like earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and overall program concentration reveal which colleges are truly preparing students for successful careers in biology. Below, you'll find a list that reflects these essential outcomes, allowing you to compare and evaluate.
Take Bowdoin College and the University of New England, for instance. Bowdoin boasts impressive earnings of $82,735 and a graduation rate of 95%, while UNE has much lower earnings at $55,921 and a graduation rate of 65%. These figures illustrate the potential trade-offs between different institutions, inviting you to consider what matters most for your college experience.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 5 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Maine Maritime Academy leads the group at 3.5%, with Bowdoin College (1.1%) and University of New England (1.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 3.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Maine Maritime Academy leads at 7.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 42% across this list. Colby College posts the highest success rate at 60.8%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.75 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Colby College reaches 1.83, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When examining the data, one pattern stands out: Bowdoin College consistently outperforms the University of New England in key areas. With a graduation rate of 95% and earnings of $82,735, Bowdoin demonstrates a strong commitment to student success compared to UNE's 65% graduation rate and $55,921 earnings. This stark contrast highlights the importance of choosing a school that aligns with your career aspirations.
As you sift through the rankings, consider how these outcomes align with your personal priorities. Do you prioritize a school with high earnings potential, or is a supportive campus environment more critical? Look at factors such as location, program fit, and financial implications to find a balance that suits your needs. This thoughtful approach will help you make an informed decision.
Ultimately, the data reflects a significant reality: the path from college to a stable career is influenced by the choices we make now. A student who graduates from a high-performing institution like Bowdoin may have a clearer trajectory toward financial stability compared to those from schools with lower outcomes. Every decision matters in shaping their future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Biology Colleges in Maine: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Biology Colleges in Maine ranking? +
Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Biology Colleges in Maine ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $82,735 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 95% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Maine Maritime Academy posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,964 ten years after enrollment, well above the $61,855 average across the 10 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Bowdoin College leads: graduates earn a median $82,735 against net price of about $14,398 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Bowdoin College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 66% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $21,707 a year across the 10 ranked schools with cost data. University of Southern Maine is among the most affordable at roughly $13,596. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Biology Colleges in Maine ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 10 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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