Maine Colleges Get Their Grades in Forbes’ National Rankings

Reading, writing, arithmetic...and college rankings.

The new school year has arrived, bringing with it another round of lists that tell us which schools are thriving, and which alumni might be changing the subject (totally pun intended).

The latest list to drop comes from the revered Forbes. The popular periodical publishes a yearly ranking of colleges and universities across the country, using a range of metrics—from academics to student life.

But these rankings are more than just bragging rights. Forbes meticulously analyzes thousands of American colleges to identify the cream of the crop. The rankings are broken down into various categories, with customizable filters to help readers find what matters most to them.

Colby College via Facebook

How Do Maine Colleges Compare to Those in Other States?

Maine performed relatively well in this year’s rankings, with several schools earning top spots—particularly in the liberal arts college category. Here’s a closer look:

39. Bowdoin College – Brunswick
The highest-ranked school in Maine, Bowdoin did well, finishing in the top 40. Often referred to as one of the “Baby Ivies,” Bowdoin is recognized for its high graduation rate, strong job placement, and outstanding faculty recommendations.

71. Colby College – Waterville
This Central Maine "Little Ivy" earned high marks for its academic opportunities, campus facilities, and strong post-graduation salary outcomes.

100. Bates College – Lewiston
Bates rounds out Maine’s trio of elite liberal arts colleges. It is particularly noted for student development, innovative learning environments, and its unique “Short Term” spring semester, which focuses on immersive, experiential learning.

366. Maine Maritime Academy – Castine
This respected academy, located in the beautiful town of Castine, trains officers and engineers for careers in the maritime field. It is considered one of the top maritime academies in the country.

College of the Atlantic via Facebook

488. College of the Atlantic – Bar Harbor
This small liberal arts school cracks the top 500. It is best known for its inclusivity and for having one of the best student-to-faculty ratios on the entire list.

I must say, that’s quite an impressive list of Maine institutions. It’s easy to take for granted how fortunate we are to live in a state that prides itself on offering ample opportunities to pursue knowledge at outstanding schools—many of them right in our own backyard.

READ MORE:Bar Harbor Named Maine’s Best Small Town by National Travel Site

How Great are All of Maine's Colleges?

There are also many other colleges across the state where students can receive an excellent education, including Maine’s community college system, which currently offers free tuition to eligible residents. That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me.