Attending college can be a major step toward qualifying for many careers. It can also be stressful because higher education can be expensive. However, a degree or credential does not always have to leave students with excessive debt.
In Maine, several public community colleges and smaller private colleges provide comparatively affordable options. For the 2025–2026 academic year, Maine community colleges charge $96 per credit for Maine residents and $192 per credit for non-residents. A full-time student taking 30 credits would pay about $2,880 in tuition as a Maine resident or $5,760 as a non-resident, before mandatory fees, books, housing, and other costs.
Affordable Schools in Maine for International Students
1. Southern Maine Community College
This affordable college in Maine offers degree and certificate programs, short-term training, and non-credit options. Southern Maine Community College was founded in 1946 and describes itself as Maine’s largest, oldest, and most diverse community college, with more than 40 academic programs. Students can participate in athletics, clubs, and other campus activities, and the college lists financial aid and scholarships as resources to help cover costs.
2. Northern Maine Community College
Located in Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College was established in 1961, and its first class entered in 1963. This public two-year college is part of the Maine Community College System and offers more than 30 associate degree and certificate programs online and in person. NMCC is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, the same regional accreditor that accredits Harvard.
3. Eastern Maine Community College
This cheap college in Maine awards associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in more than 30 programs of study, with one- and two-year options as well as short-term and specialized training. Programs include Medical Radiography, Liberal Studies, and other career and transfer pathways. EMCC also states that 92% of its graduates get a job or continue their education within three months of graduation.
4. Washington County Community College
This community college offers certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs in more than 30 major areas of study, including Criminal Justice and Education-related pathways. Its Calais campus offers a smaller, community-oriented setting, and WCCC lists transfer assistance and articulation agreements for students who want to continue their studies at four-year colleges and universities.
5. Kennebec Valley Community College
The next institution in our list of cheapest colleges in Maine is Kennebec Valley Community College, which offers 27 associate degrees and 20 one-year certificate or diploma programs in allied health, nursing, technical fields, liberal studies, and related areas. Its central Maine setting gives students access to a quieter learning environment and nearby outdoor recreation.
6. York County Community College
York County Community College is a relatively young institution, established in 1994 by the Maine Legislature. It offers career and transfer-oriented degree programs, short-term career certificates, non-credit classes, online courses, and flexible schedules that can help students balance school with work and family responsibilities.
7. Central Maine Community College
Being part of the Maine Community College System, this affordable college in Maine offers more than 40 degrees, certificates, and advanced certificates. Many associate degree and certificate pathways can be completed in about two years or less. Central Maine Community College also offers student life, athletics, financial aid, and opportunities for students to earn credit through prior learning or early college options.
8. Maine College of Art
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: From $22,380 per semester for full-time undergraduate tuition
Located in downtown Portland, Maine College of Art, now Maine College of Art & Design, offers programs such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies, Pre-College, Continuing Studies, and online graduate programs. Its BFA is a four-year, 120-credit program with eight majors, and each major has its own studio. Applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, and the college awards one renewable BFA full-tuition scholarship each year to an eligible first-time freshman who completes the application by the deadline.
9. Thomas College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: $32,772 per year for full-time undergraduate tuition
The next college in our list of cheapest colleges in Maine is Thomas College, a private four-year institution in Waterville. Thomas College offers programs in business, education, and the arts and sciences at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. The college is also known for career-focused support, including its Guaranteed Job Program, which provides eligible graduates with loan support or tuition-free graduate coursework if they meet the program requirements and do not secure employment within six months of graduation.
10. Maine College of Health Professions
- Tuition Fees
- Estimated Total Costs: $6,575–$40,725, depending on the program and excluding books and uniforms
Maine College of Health Professions offers healthcare-focused programs in nursing, medical imaging, and allied health, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, advanced certificates, and a practical nursing certificate. Its RN-to-BSN program is 100% online, while other programs may include in-person and clinical components. The college also lists merit-based scholarships and financial services resources for eligible students.
We hope that this article on the cheapest colleges in Maine was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students!
