2026 Best Value Business Schools in Maine
Looking for the best-value Business degree programs in Maine? Our ranking highlights 34 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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, Business Degree Central analyzed 11 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 Business Degree Schools in Maine
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Southern Maine Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Business degree schools in Maine. Set in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Graduates carry a median of $13,869 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,661 ten years out. Set against $13,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Southern Maine Community College
A rank of #2 makes Central Maine Community College one of the best values in Maine. Set in Auburn, ME, Central Maine Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. The median Business program debt is $14,700. Central Maine Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,448 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Central Maine Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Maine Maritime Academy earned it the #3 place in Maine. Located in Castine, ME, Maine Maritime Academy is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,158, while out-of-state students pay about $31,102. Maine Maritime Academy Business students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,964. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 54% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Maine Maritime Academy
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #4 on this year's best-value Business ranking in Maine. Set in Augusta, ME, University Of Maine At Augusta is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. University Of Maine At Augusta alumni report median earnings of $40,342 a decade after entry. Set against $29,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on University Of Maine At Augusta
You'll get strong value at Eastern Maine Community College, which ranked #5 this year. Eastern Maine Community College is a public school based in Bangor, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,741 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,704 ten years after entry. Set against $17,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Eastern Maine Community College report
University Of Southern Maine placed #6 among the best-value Business schools in Maine. Set in Portland, ME, University Of Southern Maine is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. The median Business program debt is $23,593. University Of Southern Maine alumni report median earnings of $49,958 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Southern Maine
University Of Maine At Farmington came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Farmington, ME, University Of Maine At Farmington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Students borrow a median of $25,703 to complete their Business program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,433. That is a strong return on a $25,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%. More on University Of Maine At Farmington
University Of Maine ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. The median Business program debt is $25,984. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants. See the full University Of Maine profile
Saint Josephs College Of Maine placed #9 among the best-value Business schools in Maine. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a private not-for-profit school based in Standish, ME. Students from in state pay about $44,420 in tuition and fees. The median Business program debt is $26,625. Saint Josephs College Of Maine alumni report median earnings of $59,045 a decade after entry. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Saint Josephs College Of Maine profile
Husson University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bangor, ME. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,304. Students borrow a median of $27,735 to complete their Business program here. 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. Husson University has an acceptance rate of 81%. Read the full report on Husson University
Thomas College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Located in Waterville, ME, Thomas College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. Thomas College Business students take on a median of $26,530 in debt. Thomas College alumni report median earnings of $44,991 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Thomas College
Institute For Doctoral Studies In The Visual Arts offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Get the full Institute For Doctoral Studies In The Visual Arts report
Colby College
Colby College placed #13 among the best-value Business schools in Maine. Read more about Colby College
Kennebec Valley Community College placed #14 among the best-value Business schools in Maine. Read more about Kennebec Valley Community College
University Of New England landed the #15 spot for value in Maine this year. More on University Of New England
University Of Maine At Presque Isle offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Get the full University Of Maine At Presque Isle report
Unity College
Unity College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about Unity College
Northeast Technical Institute came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. More on Northeast Technical Institute
Northern Maine Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. See the full Northern Maine Community College profile
York County Community College placed #20 among the best-value Business schools in Maine. Get the full York County Community College report
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions report
Maine College Of Art ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about Maine College Of Art
Washington County Community College landed the #23 spot for value in Maine this year. More on Washington County Community College
Empire Beauty School Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read the full report on Empire Beauty School Maine
Capilo School Of Hair Design ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about Capilo School Of Hair Design
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Business Degree Schools in Maine
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Bates College
Bates College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. See the full Bates College profile
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook landed the #27 spot for value in Maine this year. Read the full report on Spa Tech Institute Westbrook
The Landing School offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. More on The Landing School
University Of Maine System Central Office landed the #29 spot for value in Maine this year. See the full University Of Maine System Central Office profile
College Of The Atlantic offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full College Of The Atlantic report
Beal College
Beal College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Get the full Beal College report
Maine Media College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Maine Media College report
University Of Maine At Fort Kent ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College placed #34 among the best-value Business schools in Maine. More on Bowdoin College
More Business Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · 11 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).
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