Colleges with the lowest student debt in Maine
Colleges whose graduates leave with the least federal student debt.
Colleges with the lowest student debt in Maine9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by median debt.
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).
- Has the median federal loan debt of graduates from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by median debt, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Bates College
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Median debt $14,275
- 90% graduate
- 2
Maine College of Health Professions
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitTop 8% for earnings
- Median debt $15,250
- 67% graduate
- 3
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Maine
- Median debt $18,500
- 95% graduate
- 4
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Median debt $19,157
- 89% graduate
- 5
- 6
- 7
University of New England
Biddeford, ME · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Median debt $25,250
- 68% graduate
- 8Tie
- 8Tie
Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME · Private nonprofit#15 in Maine
- Median debt $27,000
- 52% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates College | About $29,000 | $14,275 | $69,498 | 90% |
| Maine College of Health Professions | About $26,000 | $15,250 | $79,840 | 67% |
| Bowdoin College | About $14,000 | $18,500 | $82,735 | 95% |
| Colby College | About $17,000 | $19,157 | $80,490 | 89% |
| University of Maine | About $18,000 | $25,000 | $48,653 | 55% |
| College of the Atlantic | About $25,000 | $25,050 | $40,264 | 68% |
| University of New England | About $38,000 | $25,250 | $55,921 | 68% |
| Maine Maritime Academy | About $23,000 | $27,000 | $89,964 | 58% |
| Maine College of Art & Design | About $38,000 | $27,000 | $40,778 | 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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 61
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 75
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 21
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15