For most students, attending full-time on-campus classes in an academic institution isn’t possible. Many have jobs or may have other commitments as that of family or even health concerns. At present, students may now earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees entirely online from well-acclaimed and accredited academic institutions in the state of Maine. Every university or college has online undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with various minors and certificate programs.
The membership of Maine in the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) enables the state to gain massive research opportunities and enough resources to support distance learning students looking for less expensive educational opportunities.
With many students’ interest in online learning growing at a rapid pace, the State of Maine commits to allowing students to obtain online degrees through Learn.Maine.Edu initiative. It is a set of hybrid and online programs offered through the University of Maine system using interactive television (iTV) and video conferencing in course completion.
Online academic institutions in Maine allow students to have more flexible and convenient program alternatives compared to traditional classes. Online education, in general, will enable students to work conveniently at a flexible pace, and this permits balance in terms of family obligations, work, and academics.
METHODOLOGY
Online students in Maine need to find the best online schools that not only offer the flexibility of distance learning, but also promotes high-quality education and academic excellence. OnlineSchoolsCenter.com lists the 5 Top Online Schools in Maine to help you make the best decision. To make it to our list, the online colleges and universities in the state showcase these program features:
- Rigorous coursework and extensive online program curriculum to help graduates emerge as skilled professionals,
- A virtual learning platform that allows for ease of coursework access,
- Impressive student to faculty ratio to promote better and more focused academic instruction approach,
- Accreditation from agencies that promote the standards of academic excellence.
See our Methodology Page for more information on our ranking process.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is considered a co-educational, liberal arts academic institution that is also non-governmental and nationally well-known. It is the only Roman Catholic college in Maine founded in 1976 by the Portland Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The main goal of the college is the combination of academic excellence, dedication, and faith in all areas of college life through online education, aside from on-campus classes. About 2,500 students participate in online learning.
The academic institution has about 62 online degree programs and 21 certificate programs. The advantages include access to online resources such as a library, IT assistance, online tutorial programs, personal advisors, and dedication in giving students a rewarding and affordable educational experience.
The curriculum is deep and broad, and they offer specialized online courses like radiologic science administration, theology, health administration, liberal arts and sciences, education, business, accounting and finance, and a senior living leadership major. It also has a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Accounting minor for humanities students who want to become a CPA. It also provides emphasis on practical learning for real-life situations.
Location: Standish, Maine
Admission Requirements:
- SAT and ACT scores not required
- Official high school transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
Accreditation: New England Associate of Schools and Colleges
University of Maine in Augusta
The third-largest public university in Maine is the University of Maine located in Augusta. It is also one of the seven universities in the University of Maine system which was founded in 1965. Being one of the top academic institutions in the state, the university offers cost-efficient, high-quality coursework to students. It is also the top online education program in Maine. It caters to working adults, career and academically focused individuals, and traditional college students. Moreover, about 70% of enrolled students pursue online education. The university also has well-established relationships with at least 40 test proctor sites all over the country.
The University of Maine in Augusta has 38 fully online degree programs and sixteen online certificate programs in the associate, bachelor, and master’s level along with minors. Some degree programs include public administration, interdisciplinary studies, and cybersecurity. Internship programs have also been extended to online students. No master’s degree, however, is offered at this university.
The university also has 12 online degree programs at the bachelor’s level, and many of such programs have several concentrations or majors to choose from. Online courses are asynchronous, though some classes need real-time interactions. All online degree programs operate following the same schedule as the on-campus classes. Some classes are conducted through video conferencing. Online students may access the learning success center which gives tutorials and workshops, the online library, academic and career advising. Tuition is $291 per credit hour.
Location: Augusta, Maine
Admission Requirements:
- At least 2.0 GPA
- SAT and ACT scores required
- Official high school or GED transcripts
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
University of Maine
The University of Maine, the main campus of the University of Maine system, was founded in 1865. The university exists to provide high-quality educational opportunities through research, teaching, and outreach to various students worldwide. It is well-recognized worldwide due to its state-of-the-art facilities and research. It is also entirely credible to grant degrees from bachelors to doctorate levels. Aside from stellar academics, the university is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that is less expensive, specifically in its online programs.
All 20 online programs produce world-renowned research and highly competent leaders in their respective fields of study, such as surveying engineering technology, university studies, educational technology, and bioinformatics. Generally, online students may select from twenty fully online degree programs and fourteen certificate programs. Aside from numerous master’s programs and certificates which can be earned online, the University of Maine has four specialized tracks. The master’s degree programs are broad in the field of education, with numerous degrees offered in special education.
There are winter and summer sessions wherein students may enroll at least twice a year. The online platform enables those with additional commitments to the flexibility of being able to learn remotely and complete their coursework on time. Delivered through Blackboard, online coursework are both asynchronous and synchronous.
The school also has a “Think 30” program which allows students to complete at least 30 credits yearly to complete their four years. This eventually leads to lower student debt. Although out-of-state students pay higher tuition, there is a special tuition rate for online nonresidents, and this is the reason why the university is considered one of the most affordable academic institutions in Maine.
Undergraduate tuition is $366 per credit hour while graduate students are higher at $549 per credit hour.
Location: Orono, Maine
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of 2.0 to 2.5 (high school grade)
- SAT or ACT scores required
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a northern New England public, comprehensive university founded in 1878, which aims to combine affordable and high-quality academics. The university was initially dedicated to teachers but now has highly competent online education programs. It also provides the same quality of education for both on-campus and online students.
The university offers 19 online degrees in public service, law, business, health, and social sciences, education, engineering and technology, sciences, and the liberal arts along with seven certificate programs. Most of the online bachelor’s degree programs focus more on communication and leadership, while graduate programs focus more on career advancement. Students may go back to school online to complete the degrees that have been started, or earn their degrees entirely online using the user-friendly, accessible online platform. Some bachelor’s degree programs include a Bachelor of Science in Applied Technical Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership. The master’s programs are Master of Science in Educational Psychology, a Masters in Higher Education, and Masters of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), along with three master’s in special education.
Coursework is taught by the same world-class faculty that teaches online students to have 24/7 accessibility to coursework, library service, and help from online advisors to help them be on track. The university also enables students to interact with classmates to aid them in various job opportunities. Some courses though require students to attend on-campus classes for a small period.
Undergraduate program tuition is $339 per credit hour, and education for a graduate program is $509 per credit hour.
Location: Portland, Maine
Admission Requirements:
- At least 2.5 GPA
- SAT or ACT scores
- Official high school transcripts
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Husson University
Founded in 1898, Husson University is a non-profit and regionally accredited university that emphasizes global engagement and experiential learning. The university aims to equip students for careers in teaching, telegraphy, and commerce. Today, the university is a well-known leader in Maine in terms of offering programs for professional careers. Three primary values describe the Husson online education experience, namely, relevance, practicality, and affordability. This only means that enrollees can acquire high-quality education, which can be completed conveniently and flexibly to fit the needs of working professionals. The focus is also on career advancement and placement. Husson University has a population of about 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students participating in experiential learning with a curriculum that dwells more on global engagement.
Students may select from nine fully online degree programs in the areas of software development, nursing, and business. Three of the leading colleges of the university offer educational programs in various disciplines. Some online programs provided by Husson University include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing or Management; a Bachelor of Science in Software Development; and an RN to BSN.
Coursework can be completed in an accelerated format, and are relatively affordable. About 90% of the university’s students acquire state or federal scholarships.
Location: Bangor, Maine
Admission Requirements:
- High School or GED transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores required
- Transfer applicants
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
As of 2012, 10,503 students enrolled in the purely online programs of Maine’s academic institutions. Although Maine struggled with the postsecondary completion rates for its graduate students over the past decade, the enrollment in public universities and colleges has gone up to 12%.
Maine has a full understanding regarding the importance of online learning, and this is the reason why there is an investment in an extensive infrastructure for the K-12 level, to give access to students going through academic and financial challenges. The goal is also to generate favorable educational opportunities and allow students to take advantage of learning styles at the college level. The MCCS Rural Initiative, being part of Maine’s Community College System, was able to generate investments in 2008 to continue supporting online learning opportunities for students in rural areas. Since online programs in higher education become increasingly popular in the state, the number of specialized programs may potentially arise.
If you want to be eligible for high-paying work opportunities, a college degree is one of the major requirements. If you are residing in Maine, there are numerous advantages in attending universities and colleges in this state. Being in the home state enables you to be eligible for in-state tuition that allows you to create a network of professional contacts. Take time to consider the most affordable universities and colleges in Maine when considering high-quality education.
METHODOLOGY
Our 5 Best Value Online Schools in Maine list features the online colleges and universities that are not only known for their long and storied reputation but also their commitment to providing the most affordable programs to prospective students. These online degree programs showcase low-cost tuition rates and fees to provide all students, regardless of their financial capacity, an opportunity to pursue their chosen field of study. The online schools also offer financial aid options to qualified students.
University of Maine-Fort Kent
The University of Maine-Fort Kent is a public, liberal arts university wherein some of its students are bilingual speakers of the French language. With a student population of about 1,500, the university educates undergraduates with French or English. The academic institution is regarded as a member of the American Distance Education Consortium, considered to be a non-profit group of public schools working to give cost-efficient and high-quality programs to different populations.
The university has about 15 online bachelor’s degrees and two certificate programs, which serve as a reflection of the global perspective. It has a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences program that has alternatives such as Allied Health and Self Design. Allied health is generally for areas wherein there is no specific degree mentioned, while Self Design, on the other hand, enables students to create their respective interdisciplinary programs. Another online degree program is the Bachelor of Science in Rural Public Safety Administration has numerous concentrations. Other online bachelor’s degree programs are health care administration, rural public health administration, accounting, cybersecurity, and an RN to BSN. Online associate degree programs include health information technology and emergency management/homeland security. The university can deliver coursework in both asynchronous and synchronous formats through the Blackboard program.
Even though out-of-state residents pay higher tuition, the tuition rates of the university are relatively low, and this is the reason why it is considered one of the most cost-efficient universities in Maine. Tuition is $373 per credit hour.
Location: Fort Kent, Maine
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0
- At least 13 college credits and a minimum GPA of at least 2.0 (transfer students)
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Husson University
With a population of about 3,500 students, this university has extended colleges in communications, science, and humanities, health and education, business, pharmacy, and a business school. Most of the online degree programs of Husson University are business-related, yet the university has a few integrated technologies and nursing degree programs. Coursework is typically delivered asynchronously. The university has a generous transfer policy since it can transfer up to a maximum of 90 credit hours. Online programs also include specializations.
Various financial aid alternatives guarantee that Husson University is one of the least expensive academic institutions in Maine. The tuition is less expensive compared to private schools, and online students pay the same tuition as that of on-campus students. Admitted graduate students can be required to pursue a “leveling” course before paying tuition if they do not have experience in business or education.
University of Maine in Augusta
The University of Maine in Augusta (UMA), which was founded in 1965, has been well-known due to the excellence of the online bachelor’s degree program, which is composed of offerings in 11 fields. Most of the students taking online classes are those who can earn associate degree programs in community colleges of Maine. About 6,000 students attend the university.
The programs place a clear emphasis on career preparation. Programs offered are a combination of fully online programs, and some are combined with video-conferenced and in-person courses. Every year, UMA has academic themes related to free speech, most appropriate for class discussions. Some of the most popular programs are justice studies, interdisciplinary studies, cybersecurity and computer information systems, public administration, information and library science, music, and business administration. Its library science undergraduate program is accredited with the ALA Library Support Staff Certification. Some of the university’s online programs also require an internship.
Students are recent high school graduates and returning adults who are pursuing degrees in mental health and information technology. Tuition is $291 per credit hour.
St. Joseph’s College of Maine
St. Joseph’s College of Maine is considered a private, Catholic-affiliated liberal arts college, which has a diverse range of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Some of the school’s online bachelor’s degree programs are in the fields of biology, education, business administration (banking and accounting), nursing, theology, education, and health administration. Some of its notable online master’s degree programs include education, nursing, theology (both sacred and pastoral), business administration in social entrepreneurship, and leadership.
St. Joseph’s College of Maine is regarded as a transfer-friendly school, as it provides numerous scholarships for transfer students. Transfer credits can be accepted, given that the students earn at least a grade of C in their respective courses. Given the flat, per-credit tuition that enables out-of-state students to pay the same tuition as in-state students, this academic institution is therefore regarded as one of the most affordable online institutions in the state.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is also popular for its charitable community presence, gaining the Presidents Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, as well as the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation. The academic institution is also one of the members of the International Student Exchange Program, which enables institutional exchanges in 37 countries. The academic institution gives opportunities to engage in international service trips. Annual tuition is $26,543.
Location: Standish, Maine
Admission Requirements:
- SAT and ACT scores not required
- Official high school transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
Accreditation: New England Associate of Schools and Colleges
University of Maine-Presque Isle
The University of Maine-Presque Isle (UMPI) has online programs in education, psychology, history, and English. The university has three English degree alternatives, including a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication and Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Writing. There are also three History programs, among which are a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in Social Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. As for Psychology, specializations that exist include Business Psychology and Biopsychology. It emphasizes the “Finish in Four” ideology to help students in the completion of their degree in a convenient and very timely manner.
One of the most popular elementary teacher preparation programs is its online courses. The coursework is asynchronous and delivered via Blackboard.
Even though distance learning students are not eligible for in-state tuition, the university has low out-of-state tuition rates. Therefore, UMPI is considered to be one of the most affordable academic institutions in Maine. Tuition rates for in-state residents is currently $239 per credit hour and out-of-state residents’ tuition rates is currently $382 per credit hour. For more in-depth information regardings rates and fees, please visit their Tuition and Fees page.
Location: Presque Isle, Maine
Admission requirements:
- Letter of recommendation
- High school or GED transcripts
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
