by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Maine, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **7** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 7 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions to be the best college in Maine. Set in Lewiston, ME, Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,952. Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions graduates report median early-career earnings of $64,142. Graduates carry a median of $21,688 in student loans.
A rank of #2 makes Husson University one of the top colleges in Maine. Located in Bangor, ME, Husson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Husson University graduates 59% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,304. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,868 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,735.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Maine. This public school is set in Fort Kent, ME. University Of Maine At Fort Kent graduates 34% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,420, compared with $14,880 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $71,551. Students borrow a median of $30,447 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 7 colleges in Maine in this year's ranking, Southern Maine Community College landed the #4 spot. Set in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $13,869 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Kennebec Valley Community College one of the top colleges in Maine. Kennebec Valley Community College is a public school based in Fairfield, ME. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,896. Graduates carry a median of $16,165 in student loans.
Northern Maine Community College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Presque Isle, ME, Northern Maine Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,503. Graduates carry a median of $16,013 in student loans.
Central Maine Community College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Central Maine Community College is a public school based in Auburn, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Median early-career earnings reach $43,934. Typical student debt is $14,700.
Eastern Maine Community College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Bangor, ME, Eastern Maine Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $52,263. Eastern Maine Community College students take on a median of $17,741 in debt.
York County Community College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Wells, ME, York County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $35,803. Typical student debt is $12,757.
Washington County Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Calais, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Presque Isle, ME, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a public institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $41,148. The median student debt is $23,434.
University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #12 spot in Maine this year. This public school is set in Augusta, ME. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. University Of Maine At Augusta graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,574. Typical student debt is $29,313.
Beal College landed the #13 spot in Maine this year. Beal College is a private for-profit school based in Bangor, ME. Median early-career earnings reach $47,794. The median student debt is $23,557.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.