16 Best Universities In Maine For International Students 2025

Maine is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 16 universities and colleges in Maine, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 16 universities in Maine, University of Maine and Bowdoin College are the top-performing schools in Maine. This list covers both public and private institutions in Maine.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Maine. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Maine.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Maine?

Applying to the universities in Maine involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Maine to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Maine?

Tuition fees at Maine’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 12,200 USD to 79,900 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 6,576 USD to 47,900 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Maine!

As we cover the best universities in Maine for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Maine for International Students

A prestigious university nestled in the quaint state of New England is the University of Maine. This prestigious research university commands expertise on the studies of the earth, marine, and deep space sciences. The University of Maine offers over 100 degree programs to nearly 12,000 students, making it the largest university system in the state.

Based on the US News rankings, the 6th best liberal arts college in the US is the non-profit Bowdoin College in Maine. It’s been providing quality undergraduate training and education since 1794, around 26 years before Maine was even established. Bowdoin College also helped found several athletic conferences and continues to value athletic spirit by supporting several varsity teams. Its admissions are also need-blind and test-optional.

Colby College is a full-time undergraduate private institution that offers liberal arts programs. The university’s success story can be traced back to 1813. Its primary goal is to educate locals and produce a pool of skillful professionals who will help boost its economy. At present, the student body not only admits in-state students but warmly welcomes students from other states and students from foreign countries.

With around 2,000 students, Bates College is one of the smallest higher education institutions in the state of Maine in terms of the student population. It offers about 35 undergraduate programs, some of which are taught in partnership with other universities. So, students will spend two years in another institution. This college is known for having small-sized classes and two mandatory projects for all students: a seminar during the first year and a thesis during the last year. Bates College also has a research center, a museum, a center for arts, and more than 80 student organizations.

The University of New England was initially founded by Franciscan monks as a high school and junior college that eventually became a four-year liberal arts college, St. Francis College. St. Francis College and the College of Osteopathic Medicine combined to become the University of New England in 1978. From this, the New England University became the biggest private university in the State, with 3 campuses in Biddeford and Portland, Maine, Tangier, and Morocco.

Located in the heart of Maine, the University of Southern Maine offers exciting education with its advanced equipment and vibrant campus spirit. The university welcomes international students, allowing them to maximize their potential even while away from home. It strives to continue delivering one-of-a-kind practical education in the coming years.

The College of the Atlantic (COA) is a premier liberal arts institution with a small yet diverse campus community. The school is especially known for its degree programs in human ecology. Aside from that, students are given the chance to choose which courses they want to take for the academic year. COA also has a number of facilities and student activities available to enrich students’ campus life.

Husson University provides undergrad, graduate, and certificate programs. Courses may be taught face-to-face in Bangor or through the online setup. Husson is ranked 299th in the country by US News. Fields covered by its programs range from business to health sciences.

Unity College is a private institution based in New Gloucester, Maine. It also has an additional campus in Unity and facilities in Moose River and Thorndike. The college believes that its most significant impact on creating a sustainable future is by making education flexible and accessible. Unity College has begun to widen its offerings and now operates both online-only and hybrid programs.

Maine Maritime Academy was founded in 1941 with 991 currently enrolled students. The college prides itself on experts in the field of engineering, management, science, and technology. Different avenues for expressing student demands are also available such as a Student Government Organization, various student clubs and organizations, athletics and recreation programs, health and counseling services, dining services, as well as campus security, and bookstores. Their athletics programs also include performing varsity teams that compete regionally, specifically at the NCAA Division III level with 13 sports teams.

The University of Maine at Augusta primarily offers undergraduate programs, either as on-campus or online studies. This includes majors, minors, associate, and certificate courses. The university also has a select number of graduate programs offered online only.

UMA is a member of the University of Maine System and is among the largest universities in Maine. It has two campuses: Augusta and Bangor. Augusta serves as its main location.

Maine College of Art and Design (MECAD) is a private college in Portland, Maine. It is one of Maine’s oldest art colleges. MECAD offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 11 different fields, including Ceramics, Animation, Graphic Design, Painting, and Sculpture.

Thomas College is a private college in Waterville, Maine. It was established in 1894 as Keist Business College. The college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees including Accounting, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Sports Management, and Psychology. Thomas College is recognized as “Maine’s business school” due to its history and liberal arts curriculum.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers 22 bachelor’s degree programs and one master’s program. The school also has an optional online learning model to provide distance or online learning opportunities to students who need and prefer it. The way the school describes its education is exceptional, personalized, successful, affordable, opportunity-filled, and adventurous.

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine was initially a women’s institution by the Sisters of Mercy in 1912. It has since become coeducational but is still Maine’s only Catholic college. Various programs are available at the college, either taught on-campus or online.

For on-campus programs, only undergraduate courses are available. These onsite programs cover diverse disciplines, including health, sciences, social work, and more. As for online programs, these are available for undergrad degrees, graduate degrees, and certificate courses.

University of Maine at Machias (UMM) is a co-educational institution situated in the coastal part of Maine. This strategic location will surely give students a unique living experience throughout their stay at the university. In addition to its scenic environment, UMM offers top-quality academic programs at the undergraduate level, with Marine Biology and Education being top-rated programs currently popular among students. Moreover, students will be presented with numerous opportunities to aid in honing their talents and skills.