Best Community Colleges in Maine

Fall colors and epic winters define Maine, but the state offers more than just gorgeous scenery. Some of the lowest-cost community colleges in New England are located in Maine. The state also features plentiful lobster and huge blueberries and is the only state to border just one other state.

The community colleges in the Pine Tree State train students for in-demand jobs. Maine houses some of the top online community colleges in the country.

Of all the New England states, why choose Maine? There are several excellent reasons to work, study, and live in Maine, including the state’s economy and climate.

Maine’s community colleges cost less than most others in New England, and they offer a variety of courses. Over 70% of students receive some kind of financial aid, and various programs provide discounts for students from surrounding states in New England, allowing them to pay only slightly more than Maine residents.

Similar programs allow attendance by students from neighboring Canadian province New Brunswick on a space-available basis.

Financial services drive Maine’s economy, including industries like insurance and investment, followed closely by government employment. The largest projected growth over the next decade in Maine is in healthcare and education.

Food products and transportation also play a large role in the economy, including seafood, blueberries, and spring water. The small-to-medium-sized business community, especially in communities like Portland, supports growth in the state by bringing entrepreneurs attracted by Maine’s lifestyle and cost of living.

The cost of living in Maine varies greatly by location. It is 33% lower in Bangor than Portland, for example. Median home prices define this difference, but overall, the cost of living in Maine remains lower than in the rest of the United States and markedly lower than surrounding New England states.

Painters, artists, and writers were drawn to Maine from the beginning, including literary giant Stephen King. Places like Ogunquit provide artists of all types with opportunities to learn and grow. Visitors discover this rich heritage reflected in art museums and exhibits throughout the state. Maine also houses theater, orchestras, symphonies, music events, art walks, and festivals.

Long, snowy winters and mild summers define Maine’s climate. The state owes both climates to its far northern location, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and the position it holds in the storm track.

Fall and spring both delight visitors and residents of the Pine Tree State due to the abundance of non-evergreen varieties of trees in its forests.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Maine boasts a low unemployment rate and growth at or above the national average in many areas. While construction and government jobs have declined, other fields like healthcare and education are in high demand.

Leisure and hospitality show the fastest growth, as the Maine tourism economy recovers and strengthens. Financial services of all types and a growing manufacturing sector follow closely behind. All in all, Maine weathered the COVID-19 crisis better than neighboring New England states and continues to recover quickly.

The growth in Maine in key career fields has created a demand for skilled workers in a number of key fields. Take a look at five top careers in the state.

A paralegal can influence public policy by assisting attorneys with research and preparation for briefs, trials, and appeals. Working as a paralegal can also serve as a gateway to other growing legal professions.

A paralegal can start with a relevant associate degree and gain experience from there.

Drafters use software and other tools to take the ideas of engineers and architects and turn them into technical diagrams that can be used in the design and construction process. Most mechanical drafters work in offices full time, but some may occasionally work on job sites in the field.

Dental hygienists work in dental offices and perform cleanings and minor procedures. They also educate patients on oral care and conduct examinations for dental diseases like gingivitis.

These professionals use imaging equipment to examine ill or injured patients. Usually, a physician then receives the information and makes a final diagnosis. Radiologic technicians work either in doctor’s offices or hospitals and generally work full time.

The job requires an associate degree and, in Maine, professional licensure.

Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers in designing and planning infrastructure projects. They often help in the building process as well. They spend most of their time in offices, but they occasionally work on construction job sites when required.