Maine Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Maine College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Maine institutions.
Top Maine Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine (Orono) | Public 4-yr | $11,438 | $33,588 | 8,600 |
| University of Southern Maine | Public 4-yr | $10,510 | $27,148 | 6,200 |
| University of Maine at Farmington | Public 4-yr | $10,570 | $22,870 | 1,600 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Public 4-yr | $8,580 | $19,680 | 4,100 |
| Bates College | Private | $65,320 | $65,320 | 1,900 |
| Colby College | Private | $68,370 | $68,370 | 2,200 |
| Bowdoin College | Private | $66,560 | $66,560 | 2,000 |
| Southern Maine CC | Community | $3,960 | $7,290 | 6,000 |
Maine State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) and the Maine Department of Education.
Maine State Grant
Need-based grant for Maine residents attending eligible public or private colleges in Maine or an eligible NEBHE state.
Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council Scholarship
For Maine residents pursuing agriculture, food science, or nutrition degrees.
Live and Work in Maine Refundable Tax Credit
Refundable tax credit for recent college grads who live and work in Maine, offsetting student loan payments.
Maine Veterans' Dependents Educational Benefits
Tuition waiver at Maine public schools for dependents of disabled or deceased Maine veterans.
Student Loan Options for Maine Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Maine have a state student loan program?
Yes. Maine offers the The Maine Loan (FAME) — a state-affiliated nonprofit lender. Administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), The Maine Loan offers fixed-rate private student loans to Maine residents attending any eligible school, and to out-of-state residents attending eligible Maine schools. Maine residents should still start with federal loans through the FAFSA, but the Maine Loan is worth comparing alongside national private lenders.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Maine state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Maine students and families.
How much does college cost in Maine?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Maine public four-year universities is about $11,200 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $23,800 on campus for Maine residents and $34,200 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Maine?
Maine borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $33,800. Total outstanding federal student debt for Maine residents is approximately $5.9 billion.
Does Maine offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. The primary programs are the Maine State Grant (need-based, up to $2,500 per year) administered by FAME, plus institutional and foundation-based scholarships throughout the state.
Does Maine have a state student loan program?
Yes. The Maine Loan (FAME) is a state-affiliated nonprofit lender serving Maine residents. Administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), The Maine Loan offers fixed-rate private student loans to Maine residents attending any eligible school, and to out-of-state residents attending eligible Maine schools.
Which Maine colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
Maine community colleges offer the lowest overall cost at about $3,960 per year in tuition and fees. Among public four-year universities, UMaine Augusta has the lowest at roughly $8,580, followed by USM and UMaine Farmington.
What scholarships are available for Maine residents?
Key state-administered awards include the Maine State Grant, the Live and Work in Maine Tax Credit, the NextGen 529 matching grant, and specialized scholarships through FAME. Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby also offer substantial institutional aid.
Related Maine Resources
Related Maine Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Maine public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- FAME and Maine DOE program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller