Colleges in Maine
Why go to College in Maine?
From bustling cities to small scenic towns, Maine offers a variety of college settings that should appeal to a wide range of prospective students. Maine also boasts a beautiful and diverse landscape that is perfect for nature lovers who want to hike, ski, and frequent the beaches along the state's 4,000 miles of coastline. Home to vibrant art, athletic, and business communities, Maine is an excellent place to pursue your higher education and professional goals, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, engineering, and hospitality.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Maine?
On-Campus
Maine offers students seeking an on-campus college education a variety of excellent choices, from intimate liberal arts schools to technical programs rooted in the state's maritime and biotechnology industries. This traditional education route emphasizes immersion; students usually live on or near campus and take full advantage of their school's tangible resources, such as the gym and classrooms, as well as its relationship-building opportunities. Ultimately, on-campus study offers the most comprehensive college experience.
Online Programs
Online education, whether it be for a few classes or an entire degree program, emphasizes affordability and flexibility. Working adults tend to find this option a good fit because it lets them schedule classes around their busy professional and family lives. Distance learning is also a good choice for recent high school graduates who are unsure of the career they want to pursue and don't want to spend a lot of money exploring their options.
Online schools in Maine offer a variety of choices for students interested in pursuing a distance education. Students can enroll full-time at a four-year institution or take general education courses at one of the state's community colleges; these community college credits can later be transferred to a university and applied towards a bachelor's degree. Agreements between community colleges and public university systems ensure that students get the most out of their transfer credits.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid online programs combine elements of distance learning and on-campus engagement, requiring students to take certain classes or practicum requirements in-person; these requirements are usually fulfilled during accelerated winter or summer sessions. This style of learning is popular among the hard sciences, which tend to emphasize hands-on experiences in the form of labs and practicums. However, other fields of study also use this mixed structure because it combines the flexibility of online coursework with the networking opportunities and sense of community found in traditional higher education programs. Some online colleges in Maine also offer study-abroad opportunities, letting students apply their knowledge and skills in a global setting.
Popular Degree Programs in Maine
With the Atlantic Ocean located directly to its east, some of the most popular degrees in Maine have to do with ship-building and other forms of naval construction and maintenance. Majors such as English and business administration, which are ubiquitous across the U.S., are also popular at online colleges in Maine.
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering This specialized field is for individuals who wish to design and build naval vessels, like those used in offshore drilling and marine safety. This profession is well-suited in a state that has a long coastline. Students start by establishing a foundation in math and physical science before moving onto more complex topics such as hydraulics, propulsion, and thermodynamics.
English Literature and Language English focuses on the study of literary arts, critical thinking, and communication skills, which makes English graduates assets in a wide variety of professional settings, from education and publishing to healthcare and business administration. Traditional and online colleges in Maine have a rich literary tradition, making the state a great place to study English.
Best Online Colleges in Maine for 2019
Finding the college or university that best suits your needs can be challenging due to the sheer number of schools and the numerous factors that go into making the right decision. Below is a list containing the best online colleges in Maine; this ranking considers the tuition cost, student retention rate, nature of the distance learning programs, and resources offered to online students (including financial and career assistance). This list aggregates the most important characteristics, providing you with a good starting point to your search. Once you've decided on some potential colleges, be sure to go to each school's website and contact their admission representatives to get more detailed information.
Top 8 Colleges in Maine for 2019
Admissions Rate
78%
Graduation Rate
58%
Online Enrollment
57%
Retention Rate
86%
Default Rate
5%
Located in Standish, Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a Catholic liberal arts college. The college offers a variety of online undergraduate degrees , including programs in business administration, education, and theology. While the school's health administration and nursing programs are term-based, the majority of Saint Joseph's programs begin at the first of each month, allowing students to begin their degree throughout the year.
Saint Joseph's transfer agreement with more than 30 Maine community colleges allows students to receive credit for previously completed coursework and to graduate online. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 11 courses through Saint Joseph. A distance education leader among online colleges in Maine, Saint Joseph's online students have access to online tutoring, personal advisors, and career development opportunities.
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Best Online Community Colleges in Maine for 2019
Top 4 Online Community Colleges in Maine for 2019
Graduation Rate
35%
Online Enrollment
14%
Retention Rate
67%
Default Rate
21%
Established in 1969, Kennebec Valley Community College is one of seven colleges in the Maine Community College System. KVCC offers four online associate degrees as well as several majors with online course options. Including KVCC's continuing education courses and business outreach programs, the college offers more than 30 degrees and certificate programs.
The four online degrees at KVCC require no on-campus class sessions as all instruction is delivered through Blackboard. Prospective students must submit an official copy of their high school transcript or GED/HiSET scores. Online students may transfer course credits to KVCC, pending evaluation of the official transcripts from each previously attended school. One of the top community colleges in Maine, the Aspen Institute ranks KVCC in the top 10% of the nation's two-year colleges.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Maine
Maine follows many of the national trends in education. The state spends roughly the same amount on postsecondary education per full-time student, although it does generate less of these funds from tax revenue. As for its degree holders, the biggest difference between Maine and the rest of the country is its larger percentage of associate degree holders; this is attributed to the state's robust community college system.
| Maine | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $6,546 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 4.1% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 9.5% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 18.7% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 10.3% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Maine
Price typically plays a major role in the decision-making process when a student is deciding where to attend college. Fortunately, the cost of college in Maine doesn't deviate from the national average. Learners should be aware that accruing large amounts of student loan debt hinders their personal and professional goals after graduation. Therefore, you should avoid loans and attempt to pay the bulk of your educational costs through a combination of personal earnings, family support, and grants and scholarships.
Tuition Prices
Presented below are the average tuition rates for traditional and online colleges in Maine compared to the national averages. These numbers exclude additional expenses such as student fees, the price of books and other school materials, and the cost of other necessities. When looking at colleges, it is important to determine the total cost when deciding which schools to apply to and what scholarships to seek out.
Financial Aid
With the large price tag frequently attached to higher education in the U.S., the importance of exploring a range of financial aid options can't be understated. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial tool in this regard because it enables you to apply for several forms of funding simultaneously, including grants, scholarships, work-study positions, and loans.
Of the four types of aid mentioned above, grants, scholarships, and work-study are the most valuable because these don't need to be paid back after graduation. Loans can also be used to pay for college, but they shouldn't be your primary method because you have to pay them back.
Cost for Online Programs in Maine
Financial aid received through the FAFSA and other sources can typically be applied to both on-campus and distance learning programs. Many schools, specifically public universities and community colleges, offer incentives for students who want to pursue an online education; these incentives typically come in the form of lower or flat-rate tuition prices and additional funding opportunities. For example, several online colleges in Maine offer specific scholarships to adult learners pursuing an online degree-completion track. The affordability of online programs increases further when you consider the money saved on expenses like transportation, childcare, and rent, especially if a student lives at home or in a low-cost area.
Cost of Living by Region
In addition to tuition, the cost of living heavily factors into the price of a college education. While cities like New York, Chicago, and Austin are popular destinations for students due to their culture and job opportunities, they are also very expensive and may exacerbate a student's post-graduation debt. When applying for college, you should carefully balance the cost of a place with the benefits of living there.
Scholarships for Maine College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
The majority of grants and scholarships available to on-campus students are also accessible to remote learners. However, when applying for scholarships to online schools in Maine, you should pay close attention to the specific requirements of each scholarship. Some awards are one-time offerings, while others are ongoing/renewable and require you to maintain a certain GPA, complete a number of volunteer hours, or pursue a specific field of study.
Employment Outlook in Maine
As the information below shows, Maine enjoys a lower unemployment rate than the national average; this is an indication of the state's solid infrastructure and economic development. A variety of careers are available, from the aforementioned fields of naval engineering and biotechnology to positions that take advantage of the state's environmental diversity, such as nature conservation, tourism, and hospitality management. Trades such as logging and fishing are also still lucrative in Maine. While the annual wage for a Maine resident is slightly lower than the national average, the overall cost of living is not high. However, prices do increase dramatically for those who want to reside in Portland.
| Maine | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 3.8% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $44,180 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Maine
Top Industries in Maine
Office and Administrative Support: From handling appointments and managing finances to leading projects and creating technological infrastructures, professionals in this wide-reaching industry work to make sure their place of business runs smoothly.
Retail and Service: Those who work in this industry range from servers and bartenders to retail associates and store managers, all of whom deal with the profitable exchange of goods and services.
Healthcare: The healthcare field in the U.S. is currently booming. These professionals work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices to ensure that patients get the best medical attention available, while maintaining the financial solvency of their organizations.
Top Employers in Maine
MaineHealth: 8,501 to 9,000 employees
Hannaford Brothers Company: 8,001 to 8,500 employees
Walmart/Sam's Club: 7,501 to 8,000 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in Maine
In order to confer valid degrees, colleges and universities must gain and keep two forms of accreditation. National accreditation refers to acknowledgement by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), which enables a school to access federal funding, and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is an influential private organization whose main goal is to maintain educational and professional standards across the country. Regional accreditation is given by different organizations based on location. Schools in Maine receive recognition from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Remote programs are not exempt from this type of oversight. When applying to online colleges in Maine, you should make sure the school is recognized by the ED, CHEA, and NEASC. Public universities, by definition, must be nationally and regionally accredited. The situation is less clear with private institutions and may require more research. Additionally, you should look for field-specific accreditation, like business programs recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); this means that a program meets certain industry standards.
Resources for Students in Maine
Financial Authority of Maine (FAME) This website helps students through many parts of their college experience, including choosing the right school, finding ways to pay for college, and managing loans after graduation. It also provides information specifically for returning/adult students.
Maine Department of Education This site hosts a large library of information compiled by the Maine state government, including data related to student health, financial resources, and homeless and migrant education assistance. There's also a page that shows which schools are formally accredited by the state and which are not.
Maine Community Foundation In addition to community outreach and small business development opportunities, this website provides in-depth information about scholarships, including a list of available awards. This site also helps students apply for and renew scholarships.
University of Maine System This website contains information about the admission process, financial aid, transfer policies, distance education options, and reciprocity agreements for Maine's public universities.
New England Board of Higher Education This resource provides a comprehensive list of colleges and universities in the region as well as financial aid information. There are also details on the Tuition Break program, which enables residents who attend an eligible out-of-state New England school to receive a tuition discount.