Best value colleges in the Northeast in Maine
Colleges in the Northeast with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price after aid, earnings and debt.
Best value colleges in the Northeast in Maine9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by Value.
How this list is made
- Schools in Maine.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- In the Northeast (U.S. Census Bureau region).
- Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Value, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Maine
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
- Net price $14,398 a year
- 2
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Value grade A · Top 5%
- Net price $17,180 a year
- 3
Maine College of Health Professions
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitTop 8% for earnings
- Value grade A- · Top 19%
- Net price $26,312 a year
- 4
Bates College
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Value grade B+ · Top 33%
- Net price $29,351 a year
- 5
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME · PublicTop 5% for earnings
- Value grade B · Top 37%
- Net price $23,414 a year
- 6
- 7
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME · Private nonprofit#4 in Maine
- Value grade C+
- Net price $25,184 a year
- 8
University of New England
Biddeford, ME · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Value grade C+
- Net price $38,107 a year
- 9
Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME · Private nonprofit#15 in Maine
- Value grade C+
- Net price $38,338 a year
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% |
| Maine College of Health Professions | $26,312 | $15,250 | $79,840 | 67% |
| Bates College | $29,351 | $14,275 | $69,498 | 90% |
| Maine Maritime Academy | $23,414 | $27,000 | $89,964 | 58% |
| University of Maine | $17,510 | $25,000 | $48,653 | 55% |
| College of the Atlantic | $25,184 | $25,050 | $40,264 | 68% |
| University of New England | $38,107 | $25,250 | $55,921 | 68% |
| Maine College of Art & Design | $38,338 | $27,000 | $40,778 | 52% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.