# Best Master's Programs in Maine

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 17 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-maine

## Methodology

Master's programs in Maine ranked by graduate outcomes

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering master's programs in Maine, prospective students are focused on outcomes that matter. These 17 schools share a commitment to preparing graduates for success in the workforce, which is reflected in their earnings and graduation rates. On average, graduates from these programs earn $54,234, a figure that highlights the potential returns on investment in higher education.

What sets the top-performing schools apart are key metrics like earnings, graduation rates, and student debt levels. The list below ranks these institutions based on their graduate outcomes, emphasizing the importance of not just completing a program but doing so in a way that leads to financial stability. For example, Bowdoin College leads with impressive earnings of $82,735, reflecting its strong performance in preparing students for their careers.

Take Bowdoin College and Maine Maritime Academy: Bowdoin graduates earn over $82,000, while Maine Maritime Academy's graduates earn about $90,000. However, the tradeoff is evident in graduation rates, with Bowdoin boasting a 95% completion rate compared to Maine Maritime's 60%. This contrast illustrates the critical balance between earning potential and program quality that students must consider as they make their choices.

## Key Findings

- Bowdoin College graduates earn $82,735, the highest among Maine's master's programs.
- Colby College has an 89% graduation rate, significantly higher than the state average of 59%.
- Maine Maritime Academy graduates face $27,000 in average debt despite earning $89,964 annually.
- University of Maine at Fort Kent has the lowest average earnings at $51,077 and a 40% graduation rate.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Bowdoin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowdoin-college) | Brunswick, ME | 95% | $82,735 | $14,398 | $18,500 | 0.22x |
| 2 | [Colby College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colby-college) | Waterville, ME | 89% | $80,490 | $17,180 | $19,157 | 0.24x |
| 3 | [Bates College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bates-college) | Lewiston, ME | 90% | $69,498 | $29,351 | $14,275 | 0.21x |
| 4 | [Maine Maritime Academy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maine-maritime-academy) | Castine, ME | 60% | $89,964 | $23,414 | $27,000 | 0.3x |
| 5 | [Husson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/husson-university) | Bangor, ME | 58% | $45,025 | $21,005 | $27,000 | 0.6x |
| 6 | [Thomas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/thomas-college) | Waterville, ME | 53% | $44,991 | $18,885 | $24,250 | 0.54x |
| 7 | [University of Southern Maine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-southern-maine) | Portland, ME | 43% | $49,958 | $13,596 | $19,060 | 0.38x |
| 8 | [University of Maine at Fort Kent](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-fort-kent) | Fort Kent, ME | 40% | $51,077 | $7,482 | $20,160 | 0.39x |
| 9 | [University of New England](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-england) | Biddeford, ME | 65% | $55,921 | $38,107 | $25,250 | 0.45x |
| 10 | [University of Maine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine) | Orono, ME | 56% | $48,653 | $17,510 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 11 | [Saint Joseph's College of Maine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-josephs-college-of-maine) | Standish, ME | 67% | $59,045 | $27,555 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 12 | [University of Maine at Presque Isle](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-presque-isle) | Presque Isle, ME | 45% | $40,956 | $7,035 | $16,000 | 0.39x |
| 13 | [University of Maine at Farmington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-farmington) | Farmington, ME | 52% | $44,433 | $16,857 | $24,499 | 0.55x |
| 14 | [College of the Atlantic](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-atlantic) | Bar Harbor, ME | 69% | $40,264 | $25,184 | $25,050 | 0.62x |
| 15 | [University of Maine at Augusta](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-augusta) | Augusta, ME | 25% | $40,342 | $10,924 | $22,734 | 0.56x |
| 16 | [Unity Environmental University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/unity-environmental-university) | New Gloucester, ME | 44% | $37,852 | $19,104 | $25,000 | 0.66x |
| 17 | [Maine College of Art & Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maine-college-of-art-design) | Portland, ME | 50% | $40,778 | $38,338 | $27,000 | 0.66x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Master's Programs in Maine." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-maine

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.