Best Colleges in Maine – 2024

Academic Highlights: Among its core beliefs, Bowdoin offers a flexible and broad liberal arts education. Polar Bears can choose from one of thirty-three academic programs or get more creative through an interdisciplinary or student-designed major. One-size-fits-all requirements are minimal. Class sizes are small—63% contain fewer than twenty students—and 19% have fewer than ten students. The student-faculty ratio is 9:1.

Professional Outcomes: An examination of three recent years’ worth of outcomes data reveals that one year after graduation, between 73 and 77% of recent grads have found full-time employment, and 15% have gone directly into graduate school. Only 2-8% are still seeking employment. Prominent corporations across all sectors love Bowdoin grads. Recent alumni have found positions at Apple, IBM, Goldman Sachs, Google, HBO, and Microsoft. The cities attracting the greatest numbers of graduates include Boston; New York City; Portland, Maine; San Francisco; DC; and Los Angeles.

Academic Highlights: A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio is put to good instructional use as roughly two-thirds of courses have fewer than 19 students. The school’s “Jan Plan” tacks on a truncated semester during which students can conduct research alongside faculty, pursue internships, or take an accelerated course; 90% of undergraduates participate. An exceptionally high 70% of students study abroad at some point during their four years at Colby. The college runs three of its own off-campus study programs and allows participation in hundreds of programs in 60 total countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 95% of the Class of 2023 had either obtained employment or were enrolled full-time in a graduate program. Eighty percent entered the workforce, working for companies such as Amazon, Brown Brothers Harriman, Accenture, Massachusetts General Hospital, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Fifteen percent continued their studies at prestigious institutions – Dartmouth, Columbia, Duke, and Georgetown are a few of the universities where Colby alums can be found.

Academic Highlights: Eighteen percent of courses at Bates have a single-digit enrollment, and 60% of classrooms contain nineteen or fewer students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, and not a single graduate student is present to vacuum up professorial attention. Distinctive features include a mandatory first-year seminar, senior thesis requirement, and a Short Term at the end of the academic year that provides students the opportunity to focus exclusively on one course, field project, internship, or study abroad opportunity.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 91% of the Class of 2023 were either employed, enrolled in graduate school, or otherwise meaningfully engaged in a fellowship or internship. Popular employers included Accenture, Fidelity Investments, Google, Wayfair, and Liberty Mutual Insurance whereas common employment destinations of Bates graduates were concentrated primarily in the Northeast, namely Boston, New York, and Portland, Maine.

Academic Highlights: The University of Maine offers the state’s most comprehensive academic portfolio with 100+ degree programs, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across fields. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1 and 40% of undergraduate courses enrolling fewer than 20 students, learners benefit from both the resources of a large public university and personalized attention. The campus attracts a diverse community representing all 50 states and 81 countries, enriching the academic experience. UMaine stands out for its robust undergraduate research opportunities, anchored by specialized facilities like the Marine Sciences Center in Walpole and supported by 16 interdisciplinary research institutes, giving students hands-on experience at the frontiers of their fields.

Professional Outcomes: UMaine graduates achieve remarkable career success, with 94% securing employment or continuing education within six months of graduation. The Class of 2024 reported a median starting salary of $52,000, with 83% landing positions directly related to their majors—a testament to UMaine’s career-aligned curriculum. Notably, 64% gained professional experience through internships, while 79% of graduates chose to build their careers in Maine, contributing to the state’s workforce and economy. These outcomes reflect UMaine’s strong regional connections and commitment to preparing students for meaningful, impactful careers.

Academic Highlights: As Maine’s largest independent university, UNE offers students 50+ undergraduate programs in an environment designed for hands-on learning. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 20, students benefit from close mentorship while engaging in transformative experiences—46% conduct faculty-led research, and 92% complete clinical rotations, fieldwork, or internships. UNE further expands horizons through its global campus in Morocco, preparing graduates to thrive in an interconnected world.

Professional Outcomes: UNE graduates achieve exceptional outcomes, with 95% employed or enrolled in graduate programs within one year. They build careers with leading employers like MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Walgreens, with many contributing to UNE’s own academic mission. While most alumni establish themselves in the Portland metropolitan area or the Greater Boston region, UNE’s emphasis on practical experience ensures graduates are prepared to excel wherever their careers take them.