Best Online Colleges in Maine

Maine currently is home to 38 two-year and four-year colleges and universities in both the public and private sectors, including many public institutions offering cheaper tuition. You can earn your degree in the Pine Tree State through in-person or online study.

If you want to learn more about what being a college student in Maine looks like, keep reading to learn about average tuition costs, available scholarships, and typical earnings.

Attending one of the numerous online colleges in Maine makes sense for both resident and non-resident learners. Given that many students live in rural parts of the state, online learning makes it possible to earn a degree without driving long distances each day.

If you’re out-of-state, distance learning makes it possible to take advantage of one of the many respected colleges without moving from your current location.

Higher education costs are a primary consideration for many students, making it important to learn how much you can expect to spend at an online school in Maine before enrolling. The average cost of tuition and fees at public institutions in Maine was $10,377 in 2020-21.

In-state tuition in Maine costs more than the national average of $9,375 (2020-21) but less than the out-of-state average of $27,091. Private universities also cost substantially more than the national average of $32,825. All costs reflect undergraduate degrees.

Financial aid such as grants, scholarships, and student loans can help learners pay for their online education in Maine. A few scholarships worth considering if you want to study in Maine include:

Several jobs are projected to grow exponentially in the coming years across the Pine Tree state. Nurse practitioner jobs are projected to grow by 37%, while positions for physician assistants are estimated to expand by 23%.

Outside the world of healthcare, Maine-based statistician roles are projected to grow by an impressive 20%.

Across all industries in Maine, workers earned annual mean wages of $55,960 as of 2022. That said, these figures include both college graduates and those with high school diplomas.

Surgeons currently earn the highest annual mean wage at $450,330, while ushers and ticket takers earn the least, with an average salary of $28,630 per year.

Earning an online college degree makes sense for many students who need the flexibility provided by distance learning. Whether working full-time while earning a degree or managing other personal and professional responsibilities, an online degree allows you to further your education with a timeline that works for you.

Given the rural nature of much of Maine, online learning also makes it possible to earn your degree if you’re living away from city centers.

Colleges and universities in Maine offer degrees at every academic level, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.

Whether you’re just starting out and want to earn a two-year degree to quickly enter the job field or have aspirations to work in academically challenging positions that require doctorate credentials, you can find an online program in Maine to meet your needs.

Maine has a substantial number of public and private higher education institutions, given its size — 38 as of 2023. This makes it a great place to study if you want myriad options. The in-state tuition is also below the national average, which can help you save money if you already live in the state.

Because several schools provide online learning opportunities, you can also find a school and degree that matches your academic, professional, and financial requirements.