The Most Affordable Colleges in Maine That Actually Graduate Their Students
University of Maine offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Maine, graduating 57% of students within six years at $10,104 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Maine’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maine | Orono | 57% | $10,104 | $29,580 | 28 |
| 2 | University of Southern Maine | Portland | 46% | $8,982 | $23,706 | 21 |
| 3 | University of Maine at Farmington | Farmington | 53% | $11,278 | $11,278 | N/A |
| 4 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | Fort Kent | 38% | $8,805 | $13,575 | N/A |
| 5 | Maine Maritime Academy | Castine | 62% | $14,740 | $14,740 | 24 |
| 6 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | Presque Isle | 37% | $12,000 | $12,000 | N/A |
| 7 | University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta | 22% | $8,392 | $11,002 | N/A |
1. University of Maine
Orono, Maine
University of Maine graduates 57% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,104 per year. Out-of-state students pay $29,580. Median ACT: 28.
2. University of Southern Maine
Portland, Maine
University of Southern Maine graduates 46% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,982 per year. Out-of-state students pay $23,706. Median ACT: 21.
3. University of Maine at Farmington
Farmington, Maine
University of Maine at Farmington graduates 53% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,278 per year. Out-of-state students pay $11,278.
4. University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, Maine
University of Maine at Fort Kent graduates 38% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,805 per year. Out-of-state students pay $13,575.
5. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, Maine
Maine Maritime Academy graduates 62% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,740 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,740. Median ACT: 24.
6. University of Maine at Presque Isle
Presque Isle, Maine
University of Maine at Presque Isle graduates 37% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,000 per year. Out-of-state students pay $12,000.
7. University of Maine at Augusta
Augusta, Maine
University of Maine at Augusta graduates 22% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,392 per year. Out-of-state students pay $11,002. Open admissions policy — no test scores required.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Maine by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 7 qualifying public institutions in Maine.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
