Colleges in Maine
All 30 degree-granting colleges in Maine, sorted by published in-state tuition. Click any column header to re-sort.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive college in Maine is $59,833 per year — about $239,332 over a four-year degree.
All 30 colleges, cheapest first
| College | In-state | Out-of-state | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennebec Valley Community CollegePublicFairfield · 2-year | $3,687 | $3,687 | Public |
| 2 | Washington County Community CollegePublicCalais · 2-year | $3,687 | $3,687 | Public |
| 3 | Northern Maine Community CollegePublicPresque Isle · 2-year | $3,730 | $3,730 | Public |
| 4 | Central Maine Community CollegePublicAuburn · 2-year | $3,760 | $3,760 | Public |
| 5 | York County Community CollegePublicWells · 2-year | $3,760 | $3,760 | Public |
| 6 | Southern Maine Community CollegePublicSouth Portland · 2-year | $3,797 | $3,797 | Public |
| 7 | Eastern Maine Community CollegePublicBangor · 2-year | $3,877 | $3,877 | Public |
| 8 | University of Maine at AugustaPublicAugusta · Less than 2-year | $8,378 | $8,378 | Public |
| 9 | University of Maine at Fort KentPublicFort Kent · Less than 2-year | $8,542 | $8,542 | Public |
| 10 | University of Maine at Presque IslePublicPresque Isle · Less than 2-year | $8,750 | $8,750 | Public |
| 11 | University of Maine at FarmingtonPublicFarmington · Less than 2-year | $9,890 | $9,890 | Public |
| 12 | University of Southern MainePublicPortland · Less than 2-year | $10,100 | $10,100 | Public |
| 13 | University of MainePublicOrono · Less than 2-year | $12,136 | $12,136 | Public |
| 14 | Unity CollegePrivateNew Gloucester · Less than 2-year | $12,640 | $12,640 | Private nonprofit |
| 15 | Maine Maritime AcademyPublicCastine · Less than 2-year | $14,562 | $14,562 | Public |
| 16 | Maine College of Health ProfessionsPrivateLewiston · Less than 2-year | $16,238 | $16,238 | Private nonprofit |
| 17 | Husson UniversityPrivateBangor · Less than 2-year | $21,090 | $21,090 | Private nonprofit |
| 18 | The Landing SchoolPrivateArundel · 2-year | $26,012 | $26,012 | Private nonprofit |
| 19 | Thomas CollegePrivateWaterville · Less than 2-year | $29,996 | $29,996 | Private nonprofit |
| 20 | Maine College of Art & DesignPrivatePortland · Less than 2-year | $39,830 | $39,830 | Private nonprofit |
| 21 | University of New EnglandPrivateBiddeford · Less than 2-year | $40,950 | $40,950 | Private nonprofit |
| 22 | Saint Joseph's College of MainePrivateStandish · Less than 2-year | $41,586 | $41,586 | Private nonprofit |
| 23 | College of the AtlanticPrivateBar Harbor · Less than 2-year | $44,829 | $44,829 | Private nonprofit |
| 24 | Bates CollegePrivateLewiston · Less than 2-year | $61,066 | $61,066 | Private nonprofit |
| 25 | Bowdoin CollegePrivateBrunswick · Less than 2-year | $61,528 | $61,528 | Private nonprofit |
| 26 | Colby CollegePrivateWaterville · Less than 2-year | $63,520 | $63,520 | Private nonprofit |
| 27 | Beal UniversityFor-profitBangor · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 28 | Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual ArtsPrivatePortland · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private nonprofit |
| 29 | Maine Media CollegePrivateRockport · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private nonprofit |
| 30 | University of Maine-System Central OfficePublicOrono · Less than 2-year | — | — | Public |
Questions
What is the cheapest college in Maine?
Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield, at $3,687 per year for in-state students. The next cheapest are Washington County Community College ($3,687), Northern Maine Community College ($3,730), Central Maine Community College ($3,760).
How much does college cost in Maine?
The median published in-state tuition is $12,640 per year across 26 colleges that reported. Community colleges sit at the low end; private four-year schools at the high end. Remember this is tuition and fees only — housing, food and books are extra.
Public or private — which is cheaper?
Public colleges usually have a much lower sticker price for state residents because taxpayers subsidize them. But private colleges often give larger scholarships, so the net price can end up similar. Always compare after aid, not before.
Do I have to live in Maine to get in-state tuition?
Generally yes, and the rules are stricter than people expect. Most states require 12 months of residency for reasons other than education, plus proof like a driver's license, voter registration and tax filings. Check the specific school's residency policy.
About this data
Every figure comes from IPEDS 2022 — the survey every U.S. college receiving federal student aid must complete. We list published tuition and fees for full-time undergraduates. Schools that did not report tuition appear at the bottom with a dash. Confirm current pricing on each school's website before applying.