Colleges in Portland, Maine
3 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 3 colleges and universities in Portland, Maine (2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 3 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $25,967 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 46.0%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 78% of applicants.
The median net price in Portland runs about $8,457 higher than the Maine statewide median of $17,510.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Portland, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$25,967
After aid
Median grad rate
46.0%
6-year
Median admission rate
78%
Median enrollment
2,319
Undergrad
All colleges in Portland
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Maine Portland, ME | ME | Public, 4-year | $13,596 | 40.4% | 79% | 4,222 | Complete | |
| Maine College of Art & Design Portland, ME | ME | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $38,338 | 51.5% | 76% | 415 | Complete | |
| Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts Portland, ME | ME | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Portland are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Maine College of Art & DesignNet price: $38,338Grad: 51.5%
- Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual ArtsNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (1)
Public colleges in Portland are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of Southern MaineNet price: $13,596Grad: 40.4%
Top programs in Portland
Most-completed programs across Portland colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions22.7% of degrees
- Business16.7% of degrees
- Social sciences13.8% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts10.4% of degrees
- Psychology4.3% of degrees
- Communication3.4% of degrees
- Education3.3% of degrees
- History2.9% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Portland
Q.How many colleges are in Portland, Maine?
There are 3 colleges and universities in Portland, Maine that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Portland?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of Southern Maine is the largest institution in Portland with roughly 4,222 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Portland?
Based on average net price after aid, University of Southern Maine is the most affordable institution in Portland at $13,596 per year.
Q.Which Portland college has the highest graduation rate?
Maine College of Art & Design reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Portland institutions at 51.5%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Portland?
The median net price across all 3 colleges in Portland is $25,967 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Portland?
Across Portland colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Social sciences.
Q.Are there community colleges in Portland?
Yes — Portland includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Maine
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Portland that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.