Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Maine
Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Maine9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
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 median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Maine
- Earnings are 1.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $82,735 ten years out
- 2
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Earnings are 1.2× the four-year net price
- Earnings $80,490 ten years out
- 3
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME · PublicTop 5% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $89,964 ten years out
- 4
Maine College of Health Professions
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitTop 8% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $79,840 ten years out
- 5
University of Maine
Orono, ME · Public#10 in Maine
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $48,653 ten years out
- 6
Bates College
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $69,498 ten years out
- 7Tie
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME · Private nonprofit#4 in Maine
- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $40,264 ten years out
- 7Tie
University of New England
Biddeford, ME · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $55,921 ten years out
- 9
Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME · Private nonprofit#15 in Maine
- Earnings are 0.3× the four-year net price
- Earnings $40,778 ten years out
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 Maritime Academy | $23,414 | $27,000 | $89,964 | 58% |
| Maine College of Health Professions | $26,312 | $15,250 | $79,840 | 67% |
| University of Maine | $17,510 | $25,000 | $48,653 | 55% |
| Bates College | $29,351 | $14,275 | $69,498 | 90% |
| 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.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 62
- 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 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 77
- North Carolina 16
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 10
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15