by our College Data Analytics TeamMaine Maritime Academy ranks #1 of 14 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Maine ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 14 colleges average a 40% six-year graduation rate and $54,489 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Maine, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **14** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 14 colleges across over 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.
Maine Maritime Academy leads the 14 ranked colleges in Maine, followed by Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions (#2) and Husson University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Maine Maritime Academy tops our 2027 ranking of the best colleges in Maine. This public school is set in Castine, ME. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,158, compared with $31,102 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $91,014. The median student debt is $27,000.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Maine. Located 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. Median early-career earnings reach $64,142. Typical student debt is $21,688.
Husson University came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Maine. Located in Bangor, ME, Husson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Husson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,304. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,868 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,735 to complete a degree here.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Maine. Located in Fort Kent, ME, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,420, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $71,551. Typical student debt is $30,447.
You'll be in good company at Southern Maine Community College, which ranked #5 this year. Southern Maine Community College is a public school based in South Portland, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $13,869.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Presque Isle, ME, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,402, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete a degree here.
Kennebec Valley Community College placed #7 among the best colleges in Maine. This public school is set in Fairfield, ME. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Kennebec Valley Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,896. Typical student debt is $16,165.
Central Maine Community College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Auburn, ME, Central Maine Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Central Maine Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,934. The median student debt is $14,700.
Eastern Maine Community College landed the #9 spot in Maine this year. This public school is set in Bangor, ME. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,263. The median student debt is $17,741.
Northern Maine Community College landed the #10 spot in Maine this year. This public school is set in Presque Isle, ME. 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. The median student debt is $16,013.
Washington County Community College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Calais, ME, Washington County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students.
York County Community College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Wells, ME, York County 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $35,803. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete a degree here.
University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #13 spot in Maine this year. Based in Augusta, ME, University Of Maine At Augusta is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,574 early in their careers. University Of Maine At Augusta students take on a median of $29,313 in debt.
Beal College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private for-profit school is set in Bangor, ME. Median early-career earnings reach $39,570. Students borrow a median of $17,805 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs 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
See our data sources and methodologies.