2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Maine
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Maine? Our ranking highlights 34 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree evaluated 7 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 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Maine
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Saint Josephs College Of Maine tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Graduate Degrees degree schools in Maine. This private not-for-profit school is set in Standish, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,420. Graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,045 ten years after entry. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%. Get the full Saint Josephs College Of Maine report
University Of Southern Maine came in at #2 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Maine. University Of Southern Maine is a public school based in Portland, ME. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,958. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Southern Maine
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maine one of the best values in Maine. Based in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. University Of Maine alumni report median earnings of $48,653 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. Get the full University Of Maine report
You'll get strong value at University Of Maine At Farmington, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Farmington, ME, University Of Maine At Farmington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,308, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,703. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,433. That is a strong return on a $25,703 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Maine At Farmington profile
A rank of #5 makes Husson University one of the best values in Maine. Husson University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bangor, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Graduates carry a median of $27,735 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,025 ten years after entry. Set against $27,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%. Read the full report on Husson University
University Of New England came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. University Of New England is a private not-for-profit school based in Biddeford, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,210. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,838. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,921 ten years after entry. Set against $26,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New England admits about 92% of applicants. Get the full University Of New England report
Thomas College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Waterville, ME, Thomas College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,824. Students borrow a median of $26,530 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,991 ten years after entry. Set against $26,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas College has an acceptance rate of 96%. Read more about Thomas College
University Of Maine At Presque Isle offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Read the full report on University Of Maine At Presque Isle
Washington County Community College placed #9 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Maine. Read more about Washington County Community College
Eastern Maine Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. See the full Eastern Maine Community College profile
Kennebec Valley Community College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. See the full Kennebec Valley Community College profile
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Spa Tech Institute Westbrook
Unity College
Unity College placed #13 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Maine. More on Unity College
York County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. See the full York County Community College profile
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions landed the #15 spot for value in Maine this year. Read the full report on Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions
University Of Maine System Central Office placed #16 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Maine. Get the full University Of Maine System Central Office report
Central Maine Community College placed #17 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Maine. Get the full Central Maine Community College report
College Of The Atlantic ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about College Of The Atlantic
Maine Maritime Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read the full report on Maine Maritime Academy
Maine College Of Art ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Maine College Of Art
Colby College
Colby College landed the #21 spot for value in Maine this year. More on Colby College
The Landing School placed #22 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Maine. Read more about The Landing School
Institute For Doctoral Studies In The Visual Arts placed #23 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Maine. See the full Institute For Doctoral Studies In The Visual Arts profile
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Bowdoin College
University Of Maine At Fort Kent came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Maine
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Capilo School Of Hair Design ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Capilo School Of Hair Design
Maine Media College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Maine Media College
Southern Maine Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. More on Southern Maine Community College
Beal College
Beal College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. See the full Beal College profile
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about University Of Maine At Augusta
Empire Beauty School Maine came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Empire Beauty School Maine
Northeast Technical Institute landed the #32 spot for value in Maine this year. More on Northeast Technical Institute
Northern Maine Community College came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northern Maine Community College profile
Bates College
Bates College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Bates College
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 7 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).
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.