2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in Maine
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in Maine? We have ranked 34 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 17 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in Maine
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Northern Maine Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Maine. Located in Presque Isle, ME, Northern Maine Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $16,013 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Northern Maine Community College profile
A rank of #2 makes Southern Maine Community College one of the best values in Maine. Located in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. The median Science & Tech program debt is $13,869. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Southern Maine Community College profile
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Maine Community College one of the best values in Maine. This public school is set in Bangor, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Eastern Maine Community College profile
A rank of #4 makes Central Maine Community College one of the best values in Maine. Set in Auburn, ME, Central Maine Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. Central Maine Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,448 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt. More on Central Maine Community College
Out of the 17 schools in Maine in this year's value ranking, University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #5 spot. Located in Augusta, ME, University Of Maine At Augusta is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,313 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Median earnings reach $40,342 ten years out. Set against $29,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on University Of Maine At Augusta
University Of Southern Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. University Of Southern Maine is a public school based in Portland, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. University Of Southern Maine Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,593 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,958 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants. See the full University Of Southern Maine profile
University Of Maine At Farmington came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Farmington, ME, University Of Maine At Farmington is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. University Of Maine At Farmington Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,703 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,433. That is a strong return on a $25,703 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Maine At Farmington
University Of Maine landed the #8 spot for value in Maine this year. Based in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $25,984. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,653. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. Get the full University Of Maine report
Unity College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Based in New Gloucester, ME, Unity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. Unity College Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,083 in debt. Unity College alumni report median earnings of $37,852 a decade after entry. Set against $27,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Unity College
Husson University landed the #10 spot for value in Maine this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bangor, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Husson University Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,735 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,025. That is a strong return on a $27,735 median debt. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Husson University
Saint Josephs College Of Maine ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Based in Standish, ME, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,420 in tuition and fees. Saint Josephs College Of Maine Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,625 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,045. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants. Read the full report on Saint Josephs College Of Maine
Bowdoin College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Brunswick, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,735 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted. See the full Bowdoin College profile
Bates College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Lewiston, ME, Bates College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,590. The median Science & Tech program debt is $12,226. Median earnings reach $69,498 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bates College admits about 13% of applicants. See the full Bates College profile
University Of New England ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. University Of New England is a private not-for-profit school based in Biddeford, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $44,210. Students borrow a median of $26,838 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Median earnings reach $55,921 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New England has an acceptance rate of 92%. More on University Of New England
Colby College placed #15 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Maine. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waterville, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,490. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%. More on Colby College
Thomas College placed #16 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Maine. Based in Waterville, ME, Thomas College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,824. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,530. Thomas College alumni report median earnings of $44,991 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. More on Thomas College
Beal College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Bangor, ME, Beal College is a private for-profit institution. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $23,557. Median earnings reach $35,639 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,557 median debt. Get the full Beal College report
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. More on Spa Tech Institute Westbrook
College Of The Atlantic offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read more about College Of The Atlantic
Maine Maritime Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. See the full Maine Maritime Academy profile
Northeast Technical Institute came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northeast Technical Institute
Maine Media College landed the #22 spot for value in Maine this year. More on Maine Media College
Maine College Of Art ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Get the full Maine College Of Art report
Empire Beauty School Maine placed #24 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Maine. Read more about Empire Beauty School Maine
University Of Maine At Fort Kent offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Read more about University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in Maine
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Washington County Community College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Washington County Community College report
Institute For Doctoral Studies In The Visual Arts ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read more about Institute For Doctoral Studies In The Visual Arts
Capilo School Of Hair Design ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Get the full Capilo School Of Hair Design report
York County Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on York County Community College
Kennebec Valley Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Get the full Kennebec Valley Community College report
The Landing School placed #31 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Maine. Read the full report on The Landing School
University Of Maine System Central Office offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on University Of Maine System Central Office
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions report
University Of Maine At Presque Isle placed #34 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Maine. Read the full report on University Of Maine At Presque Isle
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 17 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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