by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Maine? Our ranking highlights 19 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 19 schools in Maine to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. We weigh cost against outcomes such as graduation rates, educational resources, and what graduates earn.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. See the full methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Kennebec Valley Community College this year in Maine. This public school is set in Fairfield, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. The median program debt is $16,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,035. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 19 schools in Maine in this year's value ranking, Washington County Community College landed the #2 spot. Based in Calais, ME, Washington County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,407.
A rank of #3 makes Central Maine Community College one of the best values in Maine. Based in Auburn, ME, Central Maine Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. The median program debt is $14,700. Median earnings reach $42,448 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York County Community College earned it the #4 place in Maine. This public school is set in Wells, ME. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,873 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Maine Community College earned it the #5 place in Maine. Set in Bangor, ME, Eastern Maine Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt is $17,741. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,704 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a public school based in Fort Kent, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,420, with out-of-state students paying around $14,880. University Of Maine At Fort Kent students take on a median of $30,447 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,077 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $30,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Northern Maine Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Presque Isle, ME. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $16,013 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,348 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle landed the #8 spot for value in Maine this year. Located in Presque Isle, ME, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,402, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,956. That is a strong return on a $23,434 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Southern Maine placed #9 among the best values in Maine. This public school is set in Portland, ME. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt is $23,593. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,958 ten years after entry. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 79% of those who apply are admitted.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Graduates carry a median of $13,869 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #11 spot for value in Maine this year. Based in Augusta, ME, University Of Maine At Augusta is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. University Of Maine At Augusta students take on a median of $29,313 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,342. That is a strong return on a $29,313 median debt.
University Of Maine At Farmington came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Located in Farmington, ME, University Of Maine At Farmington is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Graduates carry a median of $25,703 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,433 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 97% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Maine came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. University Of Maine is a public school based in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $25,984. Median earnings reach $48,653 ten years out. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted.
Unity College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in New Gloucester, ME, Unity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. The median program debt is $27,083. Median earnings reach $37,852 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
Bowdoin College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Brunswick, ME, Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $82,735 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewiston, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $20,952. Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions students take on a median of $21,688 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,840. That is a strong return on a $21,688 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas College landed the #17 spot for value in Maine this year. Thomas College is a private not-for-profit school based in Waterville, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,824. Typical student debt is $26,530. Thomas College alumni report median earnings of $44,991 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas College admits about 96% of applicants.
Husson University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bangor, ME, Husson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Typical student debt is $27,735. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,025 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Maine Maritime Academy placed #19 among the best values in Maine. Set in Castine, ME, Maine Maritime Academy is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,158, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,964 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Colby College placed #20 among the best values in Maine. Colby College is a private not-for-profit school based in Waterville, ME. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $80,490. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 7% of those who apply are admitted.
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook placed #21 among the best values in Maine. Set in Westbrook, ME, Spa Tech Institute Westbrook is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $7,622 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $27,803 ten years out. Set against $7,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capilo School Of Hair Design came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Capilo School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school based in Augusta, ME. Typical student debt is $9,833.
Empire Beauty School Maine ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Empire Beauty School Maine is a private for-profit school based in Bangor, ME. Typical student debt is $15,765. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $23,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Atlantic came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bar Harbor, ME, College Of The Atlantic is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,997. Graduates carry a median of $25,475 in student loans. College Of The Atlantic alumni report median earnings of $40,264 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a private not-for-profit school based in Standish, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,420. The median program debt is $26,625. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,045 ten years after entry. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 19 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.