Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Maine
- 23
- Schools
- $50,959
- Avg. Earnings
- 52%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,951
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,717
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 23 schools run from $36,035 to $89,964, a 2.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Kennebec Valley Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $36,035 in median earnings against $3,910 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Kennebec Valley Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $3,910 a year in net price.
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Bowdoin College graduates 95% of its students, versus a 52% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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York County Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.20× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Bowdoin College ($82,735 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Maine Maritime Academy ($89,964), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Kennebec Valley Community College costs $3,910 a year and Maine College of Art & Design costs $38,338. Yet their graduates earn $36,035 and $40,778, nowhere near the $34,428 price gap.
- On value, Kennebec Valley Community College beats Maine Maritime Academy: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Kennebec Valley Community College and Bowdoin College. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $45K 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 2026-06-15
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 ▲ +62% vs avg | $14,398 | 95% | 80 |
| 2 Colby College #2 overall | $80,490 ▲ +58% vs avg | $17,180 | 89% | 78 |
| 3 Bates College #3 overall | $69,498 ▲ +36% vs avg | $29,351 | 90% | 76 |
| $89,964 ▲ +77% vs avg | $23,414 | 60% | 70 | |
| $45,025 ▼ -12% vs avg | $21,005 | 58% | 64 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Maine
This analysis ranks 23 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $50,959 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 52% and an average net price of $16,951.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Kennebec Valley Community College — Net Price: $3,910 | Graduation Rate: 44%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Bowdoin College — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Maine Maritime Academy — Median alumni earnings: $89,964
CollegeRanker Primary Research
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?
$44,873
Median earnings (10yr)
50%
Median graduation rate
$16,857
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Maine, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Start with the medians across these 23 schools. Graduates earn a median of $44,873 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 50%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $16,857 a year with about $20,160 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 28% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.7%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Maine pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $16,857 and median earnings of $44,873 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
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 80/100 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, 62% 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
Colby College lands at #2 with a 78/100 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, 58% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,180 a year. 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
Bates College lands at #3 with a 76/100 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, 36% 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 #4
Maine Maritime Academy lands at #4 with a 70/100 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, 77% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,414 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Husson University lands at #5 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $45,025 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,005 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 #6
Thomas College lands at #6 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $44,991 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,885 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 #7
University of New England lands at #7 with a 61/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Southern Maine lands at #8 with a 59/100 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, 2% 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 #9
University of Maine at Fort Kent lands at #9 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $51,077 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,482 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Maine lands at #10 with a 56/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,510 a year. 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 #11
Saint Joseph's College of Maine lands at #11 with a 56/100 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, 16% above 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 #12
University of Maine at Farmington lands at #12 with a 56/100 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, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,857 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
College of the Atlantic lands at #13 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $40,264 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,184 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 #14
Northern Maine Community College lands at #14 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $43,348 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,181 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
York County Community College lands at #15 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $44,873 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,875 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Eastern Maine Community College lands at #16 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,704 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,928 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Presque Isle, ME · 100% accepted · $7,035 net
Why it ranks #17
University of Maine at Presque Isle lands at #17 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,956 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,035 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Kennebec Valley Community College lands at #18 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $36,035 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,910 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Central Maine Community College lands at #19 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $42,448 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,975 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Southern Maine Community College lands at #20 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $41,661 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,086 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Maine at Augusta lands at #21 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $40,342 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,924 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Unity Environmental University lands at #22 with a 42/100 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, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,104 a year, above 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
Why it ranks #23
Maine College of Art & Design lands at #23 with a 40/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (25/100). Graduates earn a median $40,778 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $38,338 a year, above 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 23 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Maine is home to a diverse range of colleges, each offering unique opportunities for students. With 23 institutions to choose from, prospective students and families are considering factors like graduation rates, earnings potential, and student debt as they navigate their options.
The schools on this list stand out for their strong outcomes. Key metrics to pay attention to include average earnings after graduation, graduation rates, and net student debt. These figures reflect not just the quality of education but also the financial realities students may face post-college. Understanding how these schools compare can help students make informed choices about their futures.
Take Bowdoin College and the University of Maine at Fort Kent as examples. Bowdoin graduates earn an impressive $82,735 on average, with a 95% graduation rate, while Fort Kent graduates earn significantly less at $51,077, with only a 40% graduation rate. These contrasts highlight the impact that institution type and resources can have on student success and financial stability.
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 7 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.7%. Maine Maritime Academy leads the group at 3.5%, with Thomas College (3%) and Husson University (2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Husson University leads at 13.4%, 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 35.3% 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 1.67 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 comparing schools, Bowdoin College and Maine Maritime Academy illustrate the importance of outcomes. While Maine Maritime Academy boasts the highest average earnings at $89,964, it also has a lower graduation rate of 60%. In contrast, Bowdoin not only provides high earnings but also supports a 95% graduation rate, indicating a more supportive environment for students.
As you assess these schools, consider how their metrics align with your personal priorities. Are you looking for strong earning potential post-graduation, or is a lower net price more appealing? Reflect on how each institution's graduation rate and debt levels match your financial situation and career aspirations. This can help you narrow down your choices effectively.
The data here underscores the critical connection between college education and future financial stability. For many families, choosing a school isn’t just about academics; it’s about paving a path toward a secure life. Each decision carries weight, influencing not only the college experience but also long-term outcomes in earnings and debt management.
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 Colleges in Maine: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Maine ranking? +
Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME ranks #1 in our 2026 Best 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 $50,959 average across the 23 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, Kennebec Valley Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,035 against net price of about $3,910 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 52% 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 $16,951 a year across the 23 ranked schools with cost data. Kennebec Valley Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,910. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best 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 23 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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