Maine has 39 colleges including 25 four-year colleges, 8 community colleges, and 6 trade schools. By control type, 15 schools are public and 24 schools are private. 81,542 students enrolled in Maine colleges according to IPEDS.

For 4-year colleges, commonly said to as colleges, there are 25 schools are active in Maine (8 public and 17 private). 59,515 students enrolled in the schools, by gender, 22,568 men and 36,947 women students.

These colleges have an average acceptance rate of 70.13% and an average SAT score of 1,276. The average tuition & fees for in-state students is $11,205 and for out-of-state students is $24,017. The average enrollment is about 2,381 students per college. On average, each college offers about 56 programs.

6 Prominent Maine Colleges

The following table lists major colleges in Maine that have high enrollment, good academic reputation, and recognized by Maine residents. It includes 1 public institutions and 5 private institutions.

University of Maine, located in Orono, is generally considered the flagship institution in Maine. It offers wide range of programs in both undergraduate and graduate levels, including 121 graduate programs and 66 online programs. Its total enrollment is approximately 12,029 including 2,466 online students.

University of Maine has the highest enrollment among these colleges, with a student population of 12,029 students. It offers the largest number of programs of 282.

Of the major colleges in Maine, 1 law schools and 0 medical schools are affiliated with these colleges. You can check the law schools and medical schools in the table below.

Notable public institutions

  • University of Maine: Known as a Flagship College for Maine, offering 121 graduate programs and 66 online programs

Prominent private institutions

  • Bowdoin College: Most selective Maine College, with an admission rate of 7.13% and an average SAT score of 1,520
  • Colby College: Most selective Maine College, with an admission rate of 7.09% and an average SAT score of 1,510
  • Bates College: Offering offering 36 programs; $66,590 tuition & fees; 13.32% acceptance rate; and 1,760 student population.
Comparison of Maine Major Colleges
NameGraduate ProgramsDistance LearningTuition & FeesAdm. RateSAT ScoreEnrollOffered ProgramsLaw SchoolMedical School
Bowdoin College
Brunswick
NoNo$67,8327.13%15201,88143
Colby College
Waterville
NoNo$69,6007.09%15102,41249
Bates College
Lewiston
NoNo$66,59013.32%14651,76036
University of Maine
Orono
YesYes$36,75696.64%12,029282Visit
University of New England
Biddeford
YesYes$44,21091.63%6,57375
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish
YesYes$44,42083.51%10401,45477