2027 Best Value Education Schools in Maine
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in Maine
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Maine. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $25,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes York County Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Education graduates of York County Community College earn a median of $35,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned it the #3 place for education. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $41,148. That is a strong return on a $23,434 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Central Maine Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,700 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Maine Community College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Education graduates carry a median of $17,741 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $52,263. Set against $17,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Maine Community College came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $12,987 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $25,620. Set against $12,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $45,574. That is a strong return on a $29,313 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $40,630 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Maine At Farmington came in at #9 for value in education this year. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,659. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Maine At Farmington generally make around $38,948. Set against $26,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $43,122 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Thomas College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Thomas College earn a median of $38,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Husson University landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Husson University earn a median of $40,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $41,577. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of New England placed #14 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Education graduates carry a median of $25,142 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $67,904. That is a strong return on a $25,142 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Maine College Of Art came in at #15 for value in education this year. Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $27,837. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
