Colleges where the most freshmen return in Maine
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Maine8 schools
8 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
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 a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Maine
- 97% of freshmen return
- 95% graduate
- 2
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- 94% of freshmen return
- 89% graduate
- 3
Bates College
Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- 91% of freshmen return
- 90% graduate
- 4
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME · Private nonprofit#4 in Maine
- 85% of freshmen return
- 68% graduate
- 5
- 6
- 7
University of New England
Biddeford, ME · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- 79% of freshmen return
- 68% graduate
- 8
Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME · Private nonprofit#15 in Maine
- 72% of freshmen return
- 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% |
| University of Maine | $17,510 | $25,000 | $48,653 | 55% |
| Maine Maritime Academy | $23,414 | $27,000 | $89,964 | 58% |
| 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 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15