by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Maine, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **13** graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 13 graduate schools on more than 20 objective measures 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.
This is how starting salaries are distributed among the top-ranked graduate schools:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Leading the list is Maine Maritime Academy, our #1 graduate school in Maine. Based in Castine, ME, Maine Maritime Academy is a public institution. Maine Maritime Academy posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. Students from in state pay about $15,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,102 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $91,014. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 13 graduate schools in Maine in this year's ranking, University Of New England landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Biddeford, ME. University Of New England graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,210. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,711. Students borrow a median of $26,838 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 13 graduate schools in Maine in this year's ranking, University Of Maine landed the #3 spot. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned it the #4 place in Maine. Located in Standish, ME, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,420. Early-career graduates earn a median of $67,463. Typical student debt is $26,625.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the top graduate schools in Maine. University Of Southern Maine is a public school based in Portland, ME. University Of Southern Maine graduates 40% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. University Of Southern Maine students take on a median of $23,593 in debt.
Husson University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Husson University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bangor, ME. Husson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,304. Husson University graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,868. Students borrow a median of $27,735 to complete a degree here.
Unity College landed the #7 spot in Maine this year. Unity College is a private not-for-profit school based in New Gloucester, ME. Unity College posts a six-year graduation rate of 29%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,640. Early-career graduates earn a median of $36,144. Graduates carry a median of $27,083 in student loans.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Fort Kent, ME, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,420, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $30,447 in student loans.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Presque Isle, ME, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a public institution. About 24% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,402, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Median early-career earnings reach $41,148. Typical student debt is $23,434.
University Of Maine At Farmington landed the #10 spot in Maine this year. Set in Farmington, ME, University Of Maine At Farmington is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,308, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. University Of Maine At Farmington graduates report median early-career earnings of $35,414. University Of Maine At Farmington students take on a median of $25,703 in debt.
Thomas College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Waterville, ME, Thomas College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,732. Thomas College students take on a median of $26,530 in debt.
Maine College Of Art ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Maine College Of Art is a private not-for-profit school based in Portland, ME. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,942. Maine College Of Art graduates report median early-career earnings of $27,837. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #13 among the best graduate schools in Maine. Based in Augusta, ME, University Of Maine At Augusta is a public institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Median early-career earnings reach $45,574. University Of Maine At Augusta students take on a median of $29,313 in debt.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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.