Best test-optional colleges in Maine
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in Maine15 schools
15 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Maine.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Maine
- SAT or ACT not required
- 95% graduate
- 2
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- SAT or ACT not required
- 89% graduate
- 3
Bates College
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- SAT or ACT not required
- 90% graduate
- 4
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME · Private nonprofit#4 in Maine
- SAT or ACT not required
- 68% graduate
- 5
Maine College of Health Professions
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitTop 8% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 67% graduate
- 6
- 7
University of New England
Biddeford, ME · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 68% graduate
- 8
- 9
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME · Private nonprofit#9 in Maine
- SAT or ACT not required
- 66% graduate
- 10
- 11
University of Maine at Farmington
Farmington, ME · Public#11 in Maine
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 12
- 13
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME · PublicTop 9% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 39% graduate
- 14
Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME · Private nonprofit#15 in Maine
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 15
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME · PublicTop 8% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowdoin College | $14,398 | $18,500 | $82,735 | 95% |
| Colby College | $17,180 | $19,157 | $80,490 | 89% |
| Bates College | $29,351 | $14,275 | $69,498 | 90% |
| College of the Atlantic | $25,184 | $25,050 | $40,264 | 68% |
| Maine College of Health Professions | $26,312 | $15,250 | $79,840 | 67% |
| Maine Maritime Academy | $23,414 | $27,000 | $89,964 | 58% |
| University of New England | $38,107 | $25,250 | $55,921 | 68% |
| Husson University | $21,005 | $27,000 | $45,025 | 59% |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | $27,555 | $27,000 | $59,045 | 66% |
| University of Maine | $17,510 | $25,000 | $48,653 | 55% |
| University of Maine at Farmington | $16,857 | $24,499 | $44,433 | 52% |
| Thomas College | $18,885 | $24,250 | $44,991 | 54% |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | $7,482 | $20,160 | $51,077 | 39% |
| Maine College of Art & Design | $38,338 | $27,000 | $40,778 | 52% |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | $7,035 | $16,000 | $40,956 | 52% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34