Why This Matters

  • 10 ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE IN MAINE

    According to College Navigator, Maine has 10 two-year institutions that award students with associate degrees.

  • $3,837 AVERAGE IN-DISTRICT TUITION & FEES IN MAINE

    College Board estimates that the average Maine resident paid approximately $3,837 in tuition and fees at in-district community colleges during the 2020-21 school year.

  • 76.9% OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVED FINANCIAL AID

    A total of 437,899 students attending two-year institutions in the United States received some sort of financial aid during the 2018-19 school year. This includes scholarships, grants, and loans.

Our Research

To create a comprehensive list of the learning opportunities and job training available in Maine, we reviewed private and public community colleges as well as trade, technical, and vocational programs. We considered factors such as tuition costs, the number of credits required for graduation, and the type of learning format (online, in-person, or blended). Each selection included here is a two-year program.

For this list, we only focused on accredited institutions. Receiving a degree from an accredited school indicates that the program meets the highest quality standards for education. All of the schools included on this list are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which validates the integrity and quality of programs in the New England area. Regional accreditations are also helpful for professional credentials.

  • 35hours to write this article
  • 10universities and colleges we assessed
  • 28education programs we compared

The Top 50 Community Colleges in Maine

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What You Should Know About Graduating From Community College in Maine

When selecting a community college, it’s important to consider the earning potential of your degree. In 2020, the top five highest-paying careers in Maine that require an associate degree were radiation therapists, calibration technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, and magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

New graduates approaching the job market may want to consider careers that have a large number of job openings. The five careers with the most job openings for associate degree holders in Maine are preschool teachers, paralegals, dental hygienists, mechanical drafters, and other engineering technicians.

In addition to reviewing careers with high earning potential and job openings, you should be aware of occupations with a negative outlook. Jobs expected to have the greatest decline for associate degree holders in Maine include respiratory therapy technicians, desktop publishers, environmental engineering technicians, electrical and electronics drafters, and mechanical drafters.

What’s Next?

When researching community colleges in Maine, it’s important to consider the cost of higher education. Below is a list of federal and state resources that showcase financial aid opportunities available for associate degree students in Maine.

  • Maine Department of Education. The Maine Department of Education website describes who is eligible for in-state tuition prices. It also provides information on financial aid and loan programs managed by the state.
  • Federal Student Aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid offers over $120 billion to students enrolled in U.S. institutions. Financial aid opportunities include scholarships, grants, and loans. To see if you qualify, visit the FAFSA4caster. You can also apply by completing the online FAFSA form.
  • CareerOneStop. Sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CareerOneStop is a leading source for information about scholarships. The site lets users filter information by degree level and state. It also includes details about award amounts, qualification requirements, and deadlines.