by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Maine, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **7** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 7 graduate schools 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.
This is how starting salaries are distributed among the top-ranked graduate schools:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
No school ranked higher than University Of New England this year in Maine. University Of New England is a private not-for-profit school based in Biddeford, ME. University Of New England graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,210. University Of New England graduates report median early-career earnings of $65,711. University Of New England students take on a median of $26,838 in debt.
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Maine. This public school is set in Castine, ME. Maine Maritime Academy graduates 59% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,158, while out-of-state students pay about $31,102. Median early-career earnings reach $91,014. Maine Maritime Academy students take on a median of $27,000 in debt.
The strong outcomes at University Of Maine earned it the #3 place in Maine. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. University Of Maine graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,975. University Of Maine students take on a median of $25,984 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned it the #4 place in Maine. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a private not-for-profit school based in Standish, ME. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Saint Josephs College Of Maine graduates report median early-career earnings of $67,463. The median student debt is $26,625.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Maine. Located in Portland, ME, University Of Southern Maine is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,003. Graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans.
Unity College landed the #6 spot in Maine this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Gloucester, ME. Unity College posts a six-year graduation rate of 29%. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $36,144. Graduates carry a median of $27,083 in student loans.
Husson University placed #7 among the best graduate schools in Maine. Located in Bangor, ME, Husson University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,868. Graduates carry a median of $27,735 in student loans.
University Of Maine At Farmington placed #8 among the best graduate schools in Maine. Set in Farmington, ME, University Of Maine At Farmington is a public institution. University Of Maine At Farmington graduates 52% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,308, compared with $23,878 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $35,414. The median student debt is $25,703.
Thomas College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Waterville, ME, Thomas College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Median early-career earnings reach $42,732. Typical student debt is $26,530.
Maine College Of Art did well this year, earning the #10 position. Maine College Of Art is a private not-for-profit school based in Portland, ME. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,942. Maine College Of Art graduates report median early-career earnings of $27,837. The median student debt is $27,000.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Presque Isle, ME, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a public institution. University Of Maine At Presque Isle graduates 24% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,148. The median student debt is $23,434.
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Augusta, ME, University Of Maine At Augusta is a public institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,574. Typical student debt is $29,313.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Graduate schools 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.