Best Colleges in Maine by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Maine? We ranked all 17 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. Colby College comes out on top at 94/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 17 Maine colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 48/100, on an average net price of $20,349 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is Colby College at 94/100.
Graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $89,964. The lightest price tag belongs to University of Maine at Presque Isle at $7,035 a year. The list below ranks every Maine college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Maine Colleges by ROI Score
- 1Colby CollegeWaterville, ME · Private NonprofitNet price$17,180/yrMedian earnings$80,49094ROI
- 2Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, ME · Private NonprofitNet price$14,398/yrMedian earnings$82,73592ROI
- 3Maine Maritime AcademyCastine, ME · PublicNet price$23,414/yrMedian earnings$89,96484ROI
- 4Bates CollegeLewiston, ME · Private NonprofitNet price$29,351/yrMedian earnings$69,49882ROI
- 5University of Maine at Fort KentFort Kent, ME · PublicNet price$7,482/yrMedian earnings$51,07764ROI
- 6Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish, ME · Private NonprofitNet price$27,555/yrMedian earnings$59,04556ROI
- 7University of Southern MainePortland, ME · PublicNet price$13,596/yrMedian earnings$49,95852ROI
- 8University of New EnglandBiddeford, ME · Private NonprofitNet price$38,107/yrMedian earnings$55,92146ROI
- 9University of MaineOrono, ME · PublicNet price$17,510/yrMedian earnings$48,65343ROI
- 10University of Maine at Presque IslePresque Isle, ME · PublicNet price$7,035/yrMedian earnings$40,95639ROI
Maine College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Maine?
Colby College has the highest ROI score in Maine at 94/100, while the lowest net price among Maine schools we track is $7,035/year at University of Maine at Presque Isle. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Maine?
The average net price across the 17 Maine colleges in our dataset is $20,349 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Maine college has the highest graduate earnings?
Maine Maritime Academy reports the highest median earnings among Maine schools we scored, at $89,964 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Maine did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 17 colleges in Maine on return on investment. Of those, 5 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Maine Schools by ROI Score
17 schools
Colby College
Waterville, ME
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME
Bates College
Lewiston, ME
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME
University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME
University of New England
Biddeford, ME
University of Maine
Orono, ME
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME
Husson University
Bangor, ME
University of Maine at Farmington
Farmington, ME
Thomas College
Waterville, ME
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME
Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME
University of Maine at Augusta
Augusta, ME
Unity Environmental University
New Gloucester, ME
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release