Ranking

Most Selective Colleges in Maine by Acceptance Rate 2026

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

Waterville, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 7.1%
Net price: $17,180
Earnings 10y: $80,490
Acceptance: 7.1%

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 7.1%
Net price: $14,398
Earnings 10y: $82,735
Acceptance: 7.1%

Bates College

Lewiston, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 13.3%
Net price: $29,351
Earnings 10y: $69,498
Acceptance: 13.3%

Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME · Public

Acceptance: 54.1%
Net price: $23,414
Earnings 10y: $89,964
Acceptance: 54.1%

College of the Atlantic

Bar Harbor, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 70.2%
Net price: $25,184
Earnings 10y: $40,264
Acceptance: 70.2%

Maine College of Health Professions

Lewiston, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 71.4%
Net price: $26,312
Earnings 10y: $79,840
Acceptance: 71.4%

Maine College of Art & Design

Portland, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 76.1%
Net price: $38,338
Earnings 10y: $40,778
Acceptance: 76.1%

University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · Public

Acceptance: 79.2%
Net price: $13,596
Earnings 10y: $49,958
Acceptance: 79.2%

Husson University

Bangor, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 81%
Net price: $21,005
Earnings 10y: $45,025
Acceptance: 81%

#10

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 83.5%
Net price: $27,555
Earnings 10y: $59,045
Acceptance: 83.5%

#11

University of New England

Biddeford, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 91.6%
Net price: $38,107
Earnings 10y: $55,921
Acceptance: 91.6%

#12

Thomas College

Waterville, ME · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 96.3%
Net price: $18,885
Earnings 10y: $44,991
Acceptance: 96.3%

#13

University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public

Acceptance: 96.6%
Net price: $17,510
Earnings 10y: $48,653
Acceptance: 96.6%

#14

University of Maine at Farmington

Farmington, ME · Public

Acceptance: 96.7%
Net price: $16,857
Earnings 10y: $44,433
Acceptance: 96.7%

#15

University of Maine at Fort Kent

A+

Fort Kent, ME · Public

Acceptance: 97.9%
Net price: $7,482
Earnings 10y: $51,077
Acceptance: 97.9%

#16

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Presque Isle, ME · Public

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).

Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.

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.