Accredited, Affordable New England Education at UMaine
The University of Maine appears in our ranking of 35 Great Value Colleges with Beautiful Campuses.
Ranked 177th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, the University of Maine is a flagship public, sea-grant UArctic member in Orono that grants 68 bachelor’s, 79 master’s, and 38 doctoral degrees, including 24 fully online, at a 19:1 student-teacher ratio with 76 percent retention. For example, the B.S. in Surveying Engineering Technology builds a 125-credit, ABET-accredited curriculum led by Dr. Scott Dunning with online courses from Boundary Law to Data Collection that fulfill FS Exam requirements to become Professional Licensed Surveyors. Chaired by Dr. Eric Gallandt, the 125-credit B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture gives opportunities to work at Rogers Farm, complete Soil Testing Laboratory projects, enter the Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, and join the Maine FFA Association.
Online on Blackboard since Fall 2018, the M.S. in Food Science & Human Nutrition delivers Maine’s only 30-credit, ACEND-accredited program headed by Dr. Beth Calder to produce Registered Dietitians with 500-level Web courses, internships like Cabot Creamery, and Kappa Omicron Nu membership. Directed by Dr. Paul Rawson, the Ph.D. in Aquaculture & Aquatic Resources follows a 90-credit, post-bachelor’s path where scholars can conduct Marine Science Field Station research, secure Dr. Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant co-ops, and travel to Monhegan Island’s Deepwater Site.
Other UMaine degrees include the B.A. in Political Science, B.A. in Journalism, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, M.S. in Spatial Informatics, M.Ed. in Literacy, M.A. in French, Ph.D. in History, and Ph.D. in Zoology.
About the University of Maine
The University of Maine originated in 1862 when the State Legislature signed legislation to create the Maine College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts using Morrill Act funds. On September 21, 1868, President Merritt Caldwell Fernald welcomed an inaugural class of 13. In 1872, women were given equal access to its farming-focused curriculum. In 1887, Maine College opened the Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station. In 1897, the University of Maine name was chosen to reflect new graduate studies. In 1912, UMaine launched the Cooperative Extension with off-campus adult programs. On April 16, 1925, the “All Maine Women” organization was founded with 80 members. In 1930, the School of Education formed for teacher preparation. Three decades later, UMaine conferred its first Doctor of Philosophy. In 1968, the University of Maine System was incorporated to include eight learning sites.
Endowed for $299.9 million, the University of Maine now employs 578 faculty teaching 9,365 undergrad and 2,039 post-grad Black Bears from 62 countries online or on the 660-acre Penobscot County campus designed by Frederick Law Olmsted with 200+ clubs like Camp Kesem. In 2016, UMaine won the Association of American Geographers Globe Book Award. In 2011, Maine accepted the Second National Climate Leadership Award. UMaine had the 2019 First Place Award recipient at the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition too. Forbes named the University of Maine the 184th top public institution. On Niche, UMaine boasts America’s 141st best Greek life, 206th best professors, and 230th top athletics. Princeton Review crowned UMaine the 49th greenest college. CEO Magazine applauded Maine for the 28th best online MBA program. The Center for World University Rankings put UMaine 148th.
University of Maine Accreditation Details
On November 17, 2009, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) informed the University of Maine that the Level VI accreditation was extended through the 2019-20 evaluation under President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Ph.D., who earned the Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award. Located 242 miles down Interstate 95 in Burlington, this super six-state Northeast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Maine Department of Education (DOE). The Office of Assessment also lists the following accreditations:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- National Association of Schools of Music
- American Psychological Association
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- American Chemical Society
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Society of Wood Science and Technology
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Council on Social Work Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Council on Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Society of American Foresters
- American Bar Association Section of Legal Education
University of Maine Application Requirements
Enrollment at the University of Maine is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s though 11,503 of the 12,457 Fall 2018 applicants were selected for high 92 percent acceptance. First-year Black Bears choosing Stephen King’s alma mater must complete prerequisite high school coursework or the GED certificate. The Class of 2022 reported an average secondary GPA of 3.27. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 21-26. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 470-590 for reading and 480-600 for math. Tests are optional for undergrads over age 20 and transfers with 12+ college-level credits. The Honors College requires maintaining a minimum 3.3 GPA. International learners must present at least 53 PTE, 6.5 IELTS, 550 TOEFL, or 24 ACT English scores. The Graduate School seeks 120+ credits of accredited bachelor’s preparation with GPAs above 3.0. Average GRE scores are 162 verbal and 159 quantitative. The Maine Business School accepts a median 570 GMAT score. School of Law cohorts present a mean 154 LSAT score.
The University of Maine has an Early Action deadline of December 1st for freshmen. Suggested undergrad filing dates are March 1st for Fall and November 1st for Spring starts. The B.S. in Mechanical Engineering prefers candidates applying by February 28th. The Graduate School generally has rolling admission unless otherwise stated. For instance, the Ph.D. in Anthropology only considers Fall cohorts until January 15th. M.Ed. in Instructional Technology cohorts must file by July 15th, December 1st, or April 15th. The M.S. in Wildlife Conservation closes on March 31st. Prospective students complete the ApplyMaine or Common Application online for $40 ($65 if graduate). Official transcripts are mailed to 101 College Avenue in Orono, ME 04469. Tests are sent directly via SAT/GRE code 3916, GMAT code 1ZF-RM-18, or ACT code 1664. Learn supplemental steps by contacting (207) 581-1561 or [email protected].
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, the University of Maine is charging in-state undergrads $9,000 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition is $29,310 each year. The New England Regional NEBHE Discount drops the price to $14,850. Mandatory student fees are $2,488 yearly. Room and board for the Orono campus’ 18 dorms like Aroostook Hall adds $10,966. UMaine budgets $1,000 for books and $2,200 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $25,654 in-state, $45,964 out-of-state, and $31,504 in New England. Online bachelor’s courses cost $300 to $375 per credit. The Graduate School bills traditional Mainers $8,100 and non-residents $26,388 each year full-time. Online master’s and specialist programs cost $450 to $563 per credit. The Graduate Certificate in Innovation Engineering is one exception requiring $1,466 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Student Financial Aid at 5781 Wingate Hall connects 81 percent of full-time UMaine Black Bears to tuition assistance averaging $9,297 each for $70.18 million combined. University funds include the George Mitchell Peace Scholarship, Adult Degree Completion Scholarship, Hannaford Teacher Renewal Scholarship, Music Performance Scholarship, Reading Matters to Maine Scholarship, Haskell Stetson Power Engineering Scholarship, Beck Valitchka Memorial Scholarship, Dearborn Scholarship, Mary Esther Treat Clark Scholarship, Jane Gerry Chase Hanger Scholarship, Katahdin Scholarship, and Dirigo Scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship gifts $8,000 annually for freshmen exceeding the 1450 SAT or 32 ACT minimum. The $2,000 Heritage Scholarship assists transfers with 30+ non-remedial credits and GPAs over 3.0. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Work-Study Program, require FAFSA applications coded 002053. Mainers also benefit from the State Grant, Educators for Maine Grant, Foster Care Tuition Waiver, Alfond Leaders Program, and more.
Explore five top-tier colleges housing 185+ diverse degrees placed 151st overall by Washington Monthly at the University of Maine website.