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Overview of Colleges in Maine

The consists of seven public community colleges:

• Central Maine Community College
• Eastern Maine Community College
• Kennebec Valley Community College
• Northern Maine Community College
• Southern Maine Community College
• Washington County Community College
• York County Community College

The community colleges collectively offer distinct degree and certificate programs from which students may choose. In 2021, across Maine鈥檚 seven community colleges was greater than 15,000.

In terms of affordability, the average annual tuition at Maine community colleges is $3,700 ($96 per credit hour), the lowest among community colleges in the New England area.

Why Study in Maine?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Maine has 10 two-year institutions of higher learning that confer associate degrees. And based on the most recent data from the U.S Census Bureau, 34.1% of adults in Maine have earned at least a bachelor's degree if not higher. This is on part with the national average, which is 34.3%. 

Does Maine Have Good UU直播s?

Over the past few years, the idea of pursuing a college education online has moved from one of exception to one of universal expectation. The same holds true for students attending any one of Maine鈥檚 39 colleges and universities. The quality and strength of Maine鈥檚 traditional in-person model of higher education has been replicated through 300+ online degree and certificate programs.

Combined with an average online community college tuition rate of $96 per credit hour, which is significantly less than the national average of $141 per credit hour, online learning in Maine provides ample access and affordability to higher education 鈥� especially at the community college level.

According to a study by  in Maine, 12,000 nationally-representative college students asked students, 鈥淚f you had $5,000 to spend on education, how would you use it?鈥� In answering the question, 46% stated they would 鈥減refer online programs over in-person programs.鈥�

Accredited Online Community Colleges in Maine

In higher education, accreditation serves as an official stamp of approval by a third-party agency, which is contracted to evaluate whether an institution meets the minimum requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The U.S. DOE and Council for Higher Education Accreditation are not part of the institutional accreditation process. Instead, the two entities simply provide oversight of accrediting bodies.

The accreditation process entails an extensive review of an institution鈥檚 academic quality. In considering online colleges in Maine, be sure and research the accreditation status of any community college you are considering.

To learn more about accreditation and determine whether or not the institutions on your shortlist have earned accreditation, you can review our List of UU直播s by Accreditation.

Popular Online Programs at Maine Community Colleges

The programs and topics at Maine community colleges include liberal studies, business administration and management, nursing, health care administration, and criminal justice.

Seven community colleges offer online liberal studies degrees, six offer business administration and management degrees, four offer online nursing degrees, and three offer health care administration and criminal justice programs.

Cost of Online Schools in Maine

The cost of pursuing a college degree is a key factor in the college decision-making process. Making a sound decision about where to attend college requires being an informed consumer.

In considering your options, it鈥檚 crucial that you thoroughly research tuition costs at each school. Students pursuing an online degree at any of Maine鈥檚 seven community colleges pay the same tuition.

The  provides the tuition rates at Maine community colleges from 2022-2023:

• In-State (Maine) residents: $3,779 per year 
• Out-of-State students: $6,658 per year 

In contrast, the average tuition across community colleges in the U.S. for in-state residents is $3,598, while out-of-state residents are at $8,565. This means that community college in Maine are more affordable than the national average for out-of-state residents only.

Financial Aid for Online Students in Maine

There are a number of financial aid options available to online community college students in Maine. By completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will be considered for federal student aid, including different grants and student loans.

Similarly, by completing the FAFSA, Maine residents will also be considered for state grant programs offered by the Finance Authority of Maine (). Residents who are adult learners can qualify for the .

Students attending a Maine community college, who are also residents of New England states other than Maine, may qualify for reduced out-of-state tuition through the New England Board of Higher Education鈥檚 APPLE Program. This program provides qualified New England-area students with a tuition rate equal to 150% of the in-state tuition rate.

Is Community College Free in Maine?

Maine residents who graduate from high school from 2022-2025 can attend a Maine community college at no cost through the , which is made possible by the Maine Community College System ().

Certain residents may also qualify for (Foster Care) or (Public Servant), which are available to certain foster children and adopted children/wards of Maine and children or spouses of Maine firefighters, law enforcement officers, or emergency responders killed in the line of duty.

As an additional resource, MCSS maintains an for students.