The College Consensus ranking of the Best Online Colleges in Maine combines the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.
The Best Online Colleges & Universities in Maine category is limited to schools in Maine offering at least three fully-online degree programs at any level. Schools that did not qualify for a Consensus Score were ranked by their Student Review score.
If you’re interested in traditional campus-based schools, check out our ranking of the Best Colleges in Maine. You can also find out more about college financial aid with our list of the Top Maine Scholarships.
Online Learning in Maine
The decision to focus on obtaining a degree in Maine means working adults and other nontraditional students will have the chance to improve their skills for their career. Maine online degrees give students a competitive advantage without leaving the comfort of their home, whether they are stay-at-home moms, life-long learning seniors, or rural residents. Since the degree works around their own personal schedule and situation, students are able to work on a degree while maintaining a job or keeping up with their personal responsibilities.
Online public universities in Maine also give students a chance to reduce the cost of their degree while they are able to focus on a career goal. Online students can study topics that range from business administration and leadership to special education and counseling at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s level. The options available depend on the public university and the programs available through the college; however, students can find options that fit their long-term plans through many colleges and universities.
What Kinds of Degrees Can I Earn Online in Maine?
The type of degrees available online in Maine range from associate’s degrees to doctoral degrees. You can work on your education at every level of study, which means you can prepare for a career in most fields without attending college at a traditional campus. Whether you are starting out in college and want to work on a bachelor’s degree or you are planning to go back to school for a master’s degree or a doctorate, you can find options online that work with your goals. The key is focusing on specific fields of study and then looking into the schools in Maine that offer the programs you want to study for your industry.
How Can I Save Money on an Online Degree in Maine?
Seeking an online degree in Maine offers the opportunity to cut the cost of traditional college while still obtaining a bachelor’s degree or a higher level of education. The first step to saving money on an online degree is to focus on Maine community colleges online.
Community colleges in Maine allow students to take online classes or online associate’s degree programs that allow you to cut the cost of your bachelor’s degree. By starting your degree in a community college, you are able to reduce the total cost of your degree by transferring credits.
In some cases, you can also save on your degree by looking into colleges and universities that offer credits for your work experience. Military veterans or individuals who have worked in relevant fields may be able to obtain credit for portions of their work experience. That helps reduce the number of credits you need to graduate and cuts back on the costs (avoiding excessive student loans).
Employers in some industries may also offer a reimbursement of education costs up to a set amount. By attending an online program in Maine and working with an employer, you are able to reduce the costs of your degree while avoiding traditional loans. Keep in mind that some employers may ask you to work in their company for a set number of years after you finish your degree, so make sure you are aware of the terms of the program with your employer.
Students who are looking for affordable online degree programs can also focus on public universities that offer low-cost online degree programs. A public university has the advantage of lower costs for a four-year degree, so you will want to evaluate the options available from a public school before you assume that a private university is your only option.
Are There Online Public Universities in Maine?
Public universities in Maine offer online degree programs that help you focus on your degree. For example, you can look at the University of Southern Maine online when you are looking for an online degree in business administration or you want to improve your credentials as a teacher. The University of Southern Maine online courses allows you to focus on your career goals from the bachelor’s level and into a master’s degree.
The advantage of an online public university is the lower cost of your degree. It will not cost as much as attending online classes through private colleges or universities. When you start at an online community college and transfer your credits, you can further cut the costs of your degree. It also ensures that you are prepared for the challenges of your career. You are able to study the same courses from the same professors as students at the traditional campus, but you work when you have time in your schedule. That ensures that working adults and individuals with personal obligations to their family are still able to work on a degree when they have the time. You work at your own pace, so you can finish the degree at an accelerated pace or you can work slowly through classes to fit with a busy schedule.
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