2026 Best Value Education Schools in Maine
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value education schools.
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2026 Best Value Education Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Kennebec Valley Community College this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $25,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Central Maine Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,700. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $43,934. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Maine Community College one of the best values for education. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $52,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Maine Community College earned it the #5 place for education. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $25,618. That is a strong return on a $12,987 median debt.
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,313. Education graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $45,574 early in their careers. Set against $29,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #7 for value in education this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,500. Education graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $40,004 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Maine At Farmington came in at #8 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,308, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. Students borrow a median of $26,659 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Maine At Farmington generally make around $38,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Maine came in at #9 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $42,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Husson University earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Husson University earn a median of $40,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Husson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine came in at #12 for value in education this year. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Standish. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,420. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.
Maine College Of Art came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Portland, Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $27,837. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New England ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,142. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $67,930. That is a strong return on a $25,142 median debt. University Of New England admits about 92% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
