Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Maine by Acceptance Rate 2026
Colby College leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 7.1%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Maine colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 16
- Cheapest net price
- $7,035
- Top earnings 10y
- $89,964
- Public / Private
- 6 / 10
Colby College
A- Acceptance
- 7.1%
- Net price
- $17,180
- Earnings 10y
- $80,490
- Acceptance
- 7.1%
Bowdoin College
A- Acceptance
- 7.1%
- Net price
- $14,398
- Earnings 10y
- $82,735
- Acceptance
- 7.1%
Bates College
C- Acceptance
- 13.3%
- Net price
- $29,351
- Earnings 10y
- $69,498
- Acceptance
- 13.3%
Maine Maritime Academy
B- Acceptance
- 54.1%
- Net price
- $23,414
- Earnings 10y
- $89,964
- Acceptance
- 54.1%
College of the Atlantic
D- Acceptance
- 70.2%
- Net price
- $25,184
- Earnings 10y
- $40,264
- Acceptance
- 70.2%
Maine College of Health Professions
B- Acceptance
- 71.4%
- Net price
- $26,312
- Earnings 10y
- $79,840
- Acceptance
- 71.4%
Maine College of Art & Design
D- Acceptance
- 76.1%
- Net price
- $38,338
- Earnings 10y
- $40,778
- Acceptance
- 76.1%
University of Southern Maine
B- Acceptance
- 79.2%
- Net price
- $13,596
- Earnings 10y
- $49,958
- Acceptance
- 79.2%
Husson University
D- Acceptance
- 81%
- Net price
- $21,005
- Earnings 10y
- $45,025
- Acceptance
- 81%
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
D- Acceptance
- 83.5%
- Net price
- $27,555
- Earnings 10y
- $59,045
- Acceptance
- 83.5%
University of New England
D- Acceptance
- 91.6%
- Net price
- $38,107
- Earnings 10y
- $55,921
- Acceptance
- 91.6%
Thomas College
C- Acceptance
- 96.3%
- Net price
- $18,885
- Earnings 10y
- $44,991
- Acceptance
- 96.3%
University of Maine
C- Acceptance
- 96.6%
- Net price
- $17,510
- Earnings 10y
- $48,653
- Acceptance
- 96.6%
University of Maine at Farmington
C- Acceptance
- 96.7%
- Net price
- $16,857
- Earnings 10y
- $44,433
- Acceptance
- 96.7%
University of Maine at Fort Kent
A+- Acceptance
- 97.9%
- Net price
- $7,482
- Earnings 10y
- $51,077
- Acceptance
- 97.9%
University of Maine at Presque Isle
A- Acceptance
- 99.9%
- Net price
- $7,035
- Earnings 10y
- $40,956
- Acceptance
- 99.9%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Maine colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 8.16 (6 public, 10 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Colby College in Waterville, ME tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 7.1%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Maine colleges are in this list?
16 Maine colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.