by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking for a college that has your back, you’ve come to the right place. The ranking below was designed to help you find 33 schools for veteran and military-affiliated students in Maine, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 33 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
The right college for a veteran depends on what matters most to you. Drill down by location, or explore our other rankings below.
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Explore the leading colleges for veterans below:
Maine Maritime Academy earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges for Veterans ranking in Maine. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 77.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
A rank of #2 makes Unity Environmental University one of the best colleges for veterans in Maine. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 69.9 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
A rank of #3 makes University of Southern Maine one of the best colleges for veterans in Maine. The school's overall veterans score is 68.9 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Out of the 33 colleges in Maine in this year's ranking, University of New England landed the #4 spot. The school's overall veterans score is 68.0 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 63.7, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Southern Maine Community College came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges for Veterans ranking in Maine. Southern Maine Community College scores 67.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 65.6 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 63.3, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Kennebec Valley Community College placed #7 among the best colleges for veterans in Maine. Kennebec Valley Community College scores 65.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of Maine at Presque Isle earned the #8 position in Maine. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 63.5 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
University of Maine at Fort Kent landed the #9 spot in Maine this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 63.1 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
University of Maine at Augusta landed the #10 spot in Maine this year. University of Maine at Augusta scores 62.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
University of Maine earned the #11 position in Maine. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 61.5 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Northeast Technical Institute earned the #12 position in Maine. The school's overall veterans score is 61.0 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 0.0.
Washington County Community College landed the #13 spot in Maine this year. It scores 60.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Eastern Maine Community College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. It scores 60.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of Maine at Farmington landed the #15 spot in Maine this year. University of Maine at Farmington scores 59.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Northern Maine Community College earned the #16 position in Maine. It scores 59.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Central Maine Community College placed #17 among the best colleges for veterans in Maine. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 59.2 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
York County Community College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 59.1 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Maine College of Art & Design ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. Maine College of Art & Design scores 58.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 65.5, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Maine College of Health Professions landed the #20 spot in Maine this year. It scores 55.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0.
Empire Beauty School-Maine earned the #21 position in Maine. It scores 55.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
The Landing School landed the #22 spot in Maine this year. It scores 54.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 97.9, and veteran resources 33.3.
Bowdoin College landed the #23 spot in Maine this year. It scores 52.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 41.8, and veteran resources 33.3.
Thomas College earned the #24 position in Maine. It scores 48.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 87.8, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0.
Capilo School of Hair Design earned the #25 position in Maine. Capilo School of Hair Design scores 48.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 0.0 veteran-resources score.
These colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
