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Small Colleges in Maine

24 schools in Maine. See our methodology.

Maine's community colleges deliver remarkable value with net prices starting at just $3,994 at Washington County Community College in Calais, while the state's elite liberal arts institutions command acceptance rates as low as 7.61% at Colby College. The Landing School in Arundel achieves a perfect 100% graduation rate with only 43 students, specializing in boat building and marine trades that connect directly to Maine's maritime economy. Maine Maritime Academy graduates earn the highest median income at $89,964, reflecting strong demand from Bath Iron Works and the state's shipping industry. These 24 small colleges under 5,000 students span from highly selective institutions like Bowdoin College with its 9.19% acceptance rate to accessible community colleges with open enrollment. The earnings gap tells Maine's economic story, ranging from $34,407 for Washington County graduates to over $80,000 for alumni from top liberal arts colleges. Healthcare-focused Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston demonstrates the state's workforce needs, combining an 83.3% graduation rate with $79,840 median earnings that align with MaineHealth's employment opportunities. Community colleges serve nearly half of these students, providing affordable pathways into Maine's tourism, healthcare, and marine industries while maintaining graduation rates between 27% and 48%.
24
Schools
$18,263
Avg. Net Price
$52,484
Avg. Earnings
55.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges in Maine

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 228 $20,438 83.3% 56.3%
2 1,846 $20,786 95.6% 9.2%
3 43 $24,342 100.0%
4 2,282 $23,939 90.2% 7.6%
5 888 $21,185 61.4% 57.7%
6 1,753 $30,703 90.6% 13.7%
7 1,538 $6,994 47.8%
8 397 $3,994 43.4%
9 577 $8,416 33.3%
10 1,692 $8,036 33.0%
11 1,055 $7,025 27.6%
12 2,828 $7,489 27.6%
13 4,245 $11,729 46.3% 85.4%
14 930 $24,666 68.5% 80.8%
15 1,131 $14,873 52.8% 94.2%
16 2,759 $11,353 23.3%
17 358 $24,028 69.2% 60.1%
18 2,395 $20,798 56.7% 91.3%
19 638 $10,865 39.8% 99.2%
20 2,189 $37,109 60.8% 96.3%
21 1,362 $10,028 37.7% 97.0%
22 688 $19,223 51.4% 97.2%
23 415 $36,443 48.7% 74.0%
24 503 $33,857 34.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Maine's small colleges so affordable compared to other states?

Community colleges lead affordability with net prices from $3,994 to $8,416, while even private institutions like Bowdoin College average $20,786 after financial aid. Maine's 24 small colleges serve 21,455 total students with strong state funding supporting community college access across rural areas like Calais and Presque Isle.

How do graduation rates vary among Maine's small colleges?

Graduation rates span from 23.3% to 100%, with The Landing School achieving perfect completion in marine trades. Elite liberal arts colleges maintain 90-95% rates, while community colleges range from 27.6% to 47.8%. Specialized programs like Maine Maritime Academy reach 61.4% despite rigorous engineering coursework.

Is Maine Maritime Academy worth the investment for career earnings?

Graduates earn $89,964 median income, the highest among Maine's small colleges, with direct pipelines to Bath Iron Works and shipping companies. The 61.4% graduation rate and 57.65% acceptance rate reflect rigorous maritime engineering programs that command premium salaries in Maine's marine industry.

Does attending an elite Maine college guarantee high earnings?

Colby College graduates earn $80,490 despite the 7.61% acceptance rate, while Bowdoin alumni make $82,735 with 9.19% admission rates. However, specialized programs like Maine College of Health Professions produce $79,840 earners with more accessible 56.25% acceptance, showing multiple paths to success.

Where should students go for healthcare careers in Maine?

Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston offers the clearest path with $79,840 median earnings and 83.3% graduation rates. The 228-student program connects directly to MaineHealth employment opportunities, while larger universities like Southern Maine provide broader healthcare options at $49,958 earnings.

What role do community colleges play in Maine's workforce development?

Six community colleges serve 8,087 students across rural Maine, from Calais to Presque Isle, with net costs under $8,500. Despite graduation rates of 27-48%, they provide essential workforce training for tourism, healthcare, and marine industries that employ thousands throughout the state's coastal economy.

Related

Small Colleges Nationally All Colleges in Maine Cheapest Programs in Maine

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.