The Best Online Colleges in Maine
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Famous for its stunning coastlines, Maine also offers top-ranked online degrees in many in-demand fields.
Many of Maine’s fastest-growing careers require bachelor’s degrees; for example, a college degree meets the entry requirements for jobs in finance, education, and management. Compared to a high school graduate, a professional with a bachelor’s degree earns $26,000 more per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Online bachelor’s programs offer several benefits compared to in-person programs. Mainers in remote parts of the state can enroll at top colleges without relocating or commuting long distances. Many of Maine’s online colleges also offer in-state tuition discounts for Maine residents. Maine’s online colleges offer programs in popular areas like business, cybersecurity, nursing, and education.
Our list ranks the best online colleges in Maine. Prospective students can use these rankings to find the right fit for their personal interests, budgets, and career goals.
Featured Online Schools
The Best Online Colleges in Maine
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,720
- Out-of-state$36,720
- In-State$9,470
- Out-of-state$9,470
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled1,987
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maine at Augusta
- Augusta, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,170
- Out-of-state$17,340
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,361
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern Maine
- Portland, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,868
- Out-of-state$20,692
- In-State$7,578
- Out-of-state$20,538
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled8,429
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
University of New England
- Biddeford, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,390
- Out-of-state$37,390
- In-State$23,498
- Out-of-state$23,498
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled7,483
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maine
- Orono, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,000
- Out-of-state$29,310
- In-State$8,100
- Out-of-state$26,388
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled11,561
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
Maine
2022
Online Colleges in Maine Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyEmployment in Maine
Earning a college degree can help Mainers increase their earning potential and qualify for more jobs. Maine’s fastest-growing industries include management careers, educational services, and professional and technical services. The state also reports growth in the finance industry. These fields generally require a bachelor’s degree, and yet in July 2019, only 31.8% of Maine’s population held a bachelor’s degree.
Maine benefits from a lower-than-average cost of living and a below-average unemployment rate. In Maine, the cost of living index sits at 96.5 when measured against the national rate of 100. In Feb. 2021, the state’s 4.8% unemployment rate sat below the 6.2% national average.
Many careers offer above-average salaries in Maine. In May 2020, the state’s mean annual wage exceeded $51,000. However, Mainers working as computer and information systems managers, financial managers, nurse practitioners, and sales managers all earned salaries more than double that average annual wage. Several of these career paths require a bachelor’s degree and work experience for entry-level employment.
The following information explores some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in Maine. Salary information applies specifically to Maine, while job growth data pertains to the entire United States.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2020) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians | $279,700 | 4% | Doctoral degree |
| Chief Executives | $152,620 | 4% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Pharmacists | $134,100 | -3% | Doctoral degree |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $133,040 | 10% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Financial Managers | $122,940 | 15% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Sales Managers | $117,230 | 4% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Nurse Practitioners | $111,580 | 45% | Master’s degree |
Online Associate and Graduate Degrees
In addition to bachelor’s programs, many online colleges in Maine offer associate and graduate degrees. The switch to online-only education during the COVID-19 pandemic increased dependence on hybrid and fully online programs. As a result, students now have many options when choosing online associate degrees, master’s programs, and doctorates.
At the undergraduate level, the University of Maine at Augusta offers associate degrees in business administration, computer information systems, and justice studies. The university’s liberal studies major meets general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree.
Online graduate programs offer flexible formats for professionals seeking career advancement or changes. At St. Joseph’s College of Maine, master’s enrollees can study business administration, education, health administration, and nursing online. The college also offers online master’s programs in theology and divinity. Meanwhile, the University of Southern Maine offers online master’s degrees in nursing, education, and cybersecurity.
During an online degree, learners complete coursework through a distance learning platform. Online colleges offer both synchronous and asynchronous schedules, and most accept transfer credits. Programs that require in-person components, such as student teaching or clinical practicums, work with students to meet the requirement in their local areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maine does not have any Ivy League schools. However, several Maine colleges and universities are quite prestigious, including liberal arts colleges like Bowdoin College and public universities like the University of Maine.
Maine is home to dozens of public and private colleges, including two-year and four-year institutions. Learn more about Maine’s colleges from the state’s higher education page.
According to the University of Southern Maine newspaper, several organizations have ranked Portland as the best college town in Maine. There are several colleges and universities operating in and around the Portland area.
