Best Online Colleges in Maine for 2024
Get detailed info on Best Online Colleges in Maine and their online degrees, financial aid and scholarships, acceptance rate, tuition and fees.
Maine being less populated as compared to other states in the nation has only a handful of colleges and universities, but many universities offer you some form of online education programs. The public, as well as the private universities, offer entirely online degree programs, including the University of Maine which is the largest university in the state of Iowa.
Maine being the member of New England Board of Higher Education provides the state colleges with great research opportunities and ample resources to promote and support online education.
Opportunities for college education in Maine
Though the online learning culture isn’t well spirited in the state at the moment, the trend is growing day by day. The universities, whether it is Public or Private University/College, Community College is providing and offering online education to you. This step is being appreciated by many which can be seen by a large number of enrolment of students in the online education programs. Maine has 15 public institutions, 15 private-not-for-profit, and 2 private for-profit institutions. According to NCES, the total number of enrollments in the year 2016 was 72,116. The total number of degrees awarded in the year 2015-2017 is 3,103 Associate's Degrees, 7,652 Bachelor's Degrees, 2,237 Master's Degrees and 751 Doctorate Degrees.
The Federal Government, as well as the State government, offers eligible students with scholarships and other financial aids for the non-traditional way of learning.
Though the state is new to the online way of learning, the people are truing accepting the change because of it’s versatile nature and flexible timings helping the working community to learn something new and provide students like you with accredited degrees and certificates.
The following is a list of top online colleges in Maine in 2019
1 University of Maine
Orono, Maine
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 90%
Average Financial Aid: $9,836
Acceptance Rate: 90.00
Total Programs Offered (39)
12
Education Programs
8
Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
4
Engineering Programs
15
Other Programs
University of Maine is a public institute which is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (CIHE) and offers degrees and certificate courses in a variety of majors such as Business, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Finance, Nursing, Marketing, Biology, Civil Engineering and many more.
The SAT and the ACT composite score required for admission here is 1050-1250 and 22-27 respectively. The cumulative average grade point that is needed to get into this organization is a GPA of 3.22. It was ranked 177th for the ‘Best Colleges in National Universities’ by the U.S. News and World Report.
It is a veteran-friendly school that serves the veterans as they apply to advance and attend. It also helps them In their admission process and to the process of financial aid.
2 Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, Maine
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Financial Aid Percentage: 97%
Average Financial Aid: $21,887
Acceptance Rate: 78.00
Total Programs Offered (77)
22
Theology Programs
10
Education Programs
10
Health Science Programs
35
Other Programs
Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private Catholic university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) offering a Bachelors, Masters, and Online degree courses.
The minimum criteria required to take admission in SJCOM is that the candidate must have secured a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, they must have secured at least 1040 in SAT or 22 in the ACT exam.
The college feels proud for helping the military, veterans and their dependents to get their college degrees. It provides an eArmyU facility through which the veteran students will have online access to the course and it doesn’t require physical attendance.
More than 95% eligible students of the institute have availed the financial aid facility. Various scholarship such as Pell grants, Work Study, etc. are provided to candidates. Students can earn up to $20000 in merit scholarships by filling the admission application form.
3 University of Maine at Augusta (UMA)
Augusta, Maine
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 79%
Average Financial Aid: $5,762
Acceptance Rate: Request Info
Total Programs Offered (93)
19
Human Services Programs
17
Information Systems Programs
17
Business Management Programs
40
Other Programs
The University of Maine at Augusta is a regional state university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (CIHE). It offers Baccalaureate, Post-Baccalaureate, Associate and Certificate degree courses in Applied Science, Architecture, Art, Biology, Business Administration, Dental, Education, Nursing, etc.
The minimum grade point average required to take admission in SJCOM is a GPA of 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
UMA has a separate office for veteran candidates and their dependents called ‘University of Maine VETS Office’. It assists and supports them in all the ways possible. The candidates can avail the required resources based on their needs.
It offers tuition fee waiver and financial aid facilities to reduce the financial stress on students so that they can concentrate on their studies. Various kinds of aid such as grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, etc. are offered to eligible candidates.
4 University of New England (UNE)
Biddeford, Maine
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Financial Aid Percentage: 100%
Average Financial Aid: $18,329
Acceptance Rate: 83.00
Total Programs Offered (15)
8
Education Programs
5
Health Science Programs
2
Human Services Programs
University of New England is a private university which is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (CIHE). The university offers a wide variety of specializations in courses such as Health Related Professional Programs, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Business Management Courses, Marketing and more.
The average GPA requirement for this college is a GPA of 3.24 while the SAT and ACT scores should range between 1030-1210 and 21-26 respectively. More than 82% of the full-time graduates receive some kind of financial aid and the average amount for need-based scholarships and grants is $8,097. The college athletic team competes in NCAA Division III Commonwealth Coast Conference.
5 University of Southern Maine (USM)
Portland, Maine
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 88%
Average Financial Aid: $7,385
Acceptance Rate: 80.00
Total Programs Offered (24)
7
Business Management Programs
6
Education Programs
3
Human Services Programs
8
Other Programs
The University of Southern Maine is a public institution that is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College Commission on Institution of Higher Education (CIHE). It offers online degrees and on-campus major and minor programs such as Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional Development. These degrees are awarded in the field of Education, Nursing, Business Management, Information Technology, Interdisciplinary Studies, and more.
The financial services department is always available for any type of query of the students. It also provides a free iGrad account for students to help them apply for national scholarships, finance quizzes, and more other opportunities.
USM sponsors 22 intercollegiate sports which include 11 for women, 10 for men and 1 offering golf. USM achieved awards in five areas which are Academic Achievement, Athletics Performance, Personal Development, Career Development, and Service to the community.
6 University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK)
Fort Kent, Maine
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 81%
Average Financial Aid: $5,250
Acceptance Rate: 81.00
Total Programs Offered (18)
5
Health Science Programs
4
Information Systems Programs
2
Business Management Programs
7
Other Programs
The University of Maine at Fort Kent is a public institution that has its regional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and College Commission on Institution of Higher Education (CIHE).
The institute is famous for providing undergraduates programs in the field of Arts, Science, Behavioral Sciences, Business Management, Computer Applications, and an Associate's degree in General Studies, Allied Health, Applied Forest Management, and Information Technology along with various types of online certificates programs at an affordable cost.
The department of financial aid requires at least halftime enrollment from the students in every degree program. It also supports transfer students by providing guides for any type of queries.
UMFK has been ranked as a top northeastern college by Princeton review and is given a top tier ranking among all public colleges at Fort Kent.
7 Husson University
Bangor, Maine
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Financial Aid Percentage: 83%
Average Financial Aid: $8,523
Acceptance Rate: 80.00
Total Programs Offered (12)
7
Business Management Programs
2
Information Systems Programs
1
Nursing Program
2
Other Programs
Husson University is the lowest net price, a private institution at Maine which is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College Commission on Institution of Higher Education (NEASC).
It offers Undergraduates in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Communications Technology, Biology, Business Administration, etc. and Graduates in Human Relations, MBA - Business Administration, Occupational Therapy, School Counseling, etc. and Certificates in Entrepreneurship, Event Technician, Graphic Design and many more.
A cumulative minimum GPA required for admission is 3.22 out of 4.0 GPA.
Husson University's students annually get around $46 million as financial aid funds from the state, community, federal, and campus-based resources. It supports the Yellow, Ribbon Program, counseling services, educational services, army ROTC course which gives a wide range of knowledge and experience at a free cost.
8 University of Maine at Machias
Machias, Maine
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 100%
Average Financial Aid: $8,153
Acceptance Rate: Request Info
Total Programs Offered (35)
11
Education Programs
6
Business Management Programs
4
Information Systems Programs
14
Other Programs
University of Maine at Machias is a public institution whose accreditation is given by the New England Commission and Higher Education. Its majors and programs include Biology, Marine Biology, Business, Education, Arts, and Environmental Studies. It also has 28 minors for students.
A cumulative GPA of 2.5 must be maintained by the student to earn a scholarship from the university. It provides various scholarships to help the student in their education such as Presidential Scholarship, Bold Scholarship and for Canadian Sunrise Scholarship.
The university has continuous 24 hours of library facilities for its students. The University of Maine is ranked 173rd in ‘National Liberal Arts Colleges’ by the U.S. News.
9 Unity College
Unity, Maine
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Financial Aid Percentage: 99%
Average Financial Aid: $12,991
Acceptance Rate: 93.00
Total Programs Offered (10)
5
Science Programs
2
Business Management Programs
2
Environmental Science Programs
1
Other Program
Unity College is a private liberal arts college which is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (CIHE). This college offers undergraduate online, graduate online and other online programs and programs such as Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, and Non-Degree Credit.
Its full-time employed faculty are leading experts in their fields, winners of Fulbright scholars, discovered new species, exhibited art internationally and won National Science Foundation Grants.
The college has nearly 30 active student clubs and organizations and tons of opportunities for students to get involved in varsity, club, and intramural sports. It competes in various sports which fall under the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC).
10 University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI)
Presque Isle, Maine
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 91%
Average Financial Aid: $6,418
Acceptance Rate: 87.00
Total Programs Offered (3)
1
Literature Program
1
History Program
1
Psychology Program
The University of Maine at Presque Isle is a public research university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (CIHE). It focuses on the areas of Accounting, Agricultural Science, Art, Biology, Business Administration, Cybersecurity, Energy Development, Liberal Studies, etc to award Bachelors, Associates, and Certificate degrees.
The minimum criteria required to get admission in this institution is to have a GPA of 3.04 on a scale of 4.0. Additionally, they must have attempted ACT or SAT exams with the average score as 21 and 1014 respectively.
The university possesses separate offices for military personnel and their dependents to serve them better. It has served more than a hundred veterans, national guard members and active military personnel.
It has been awarded ‘The Best College for Veterans’ several times by U.S. News. The students are expected to avail financial aid facilities such as scholarships, work-study, etc. from the financial aid office.
