Maine Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
If you’re planning to become a teacher in Maine, you’ll need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program at an accredited college or university. This guide is designed to help you research your options among Maine’s teaching schools and programs. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved institutions, along with a list of respected and affordable programs to support your search for the best fit for your career goals as an educator.
Table of Contents
- ME Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 9 Affordable ME Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Maine Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 16 Maine teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Maine Department of Education (DOE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Maine traditional certification guide and our Maine alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates College | No | 4 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $23,312 |
| Bowdoin College | No | 4 | 4 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $25,622 |
| Colby College | No | 4 | 4 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $18,552 |
| College of the Atlantic | No | 16 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $18,355 |
| Eastern Maine Community College | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | $10,634 |
| Husson University | No | 100 | 19 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $19,342 |
| Maine College of Art and Design | No | 11 | 10 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $33,486 |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | No | 665 | 65 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $27,979 |
| Thomas College | No | 94 | 16 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $21,934 |
| University of Maine-Augusta | No | 229 | 30 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $10,670 |
| University of Maine-Farmington | Yes | 487 | 112 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $14,492 |
| University of Maine-Machias | No | 65 | 12 | N.Av. | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| University of Maine-Orono | Yes | 570 | 105 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $16,365 |
| University of Maine-Presque Isle | No | 140 | 19 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $10,442 |
| University of New England | No | 66 | 18 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $36,474 |
| University of Southern Maine | Yes | 471 | 92 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $12,072 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Maine
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These nine most affordable schools have a net price under $20,000.
- University of Maine-Presque Isle ($10,442)
- Eastern Maine Community College ($10,634)
- University of Maine-Augusta ($10,670)
- University of Southern Maine ($12,072)
- University of Maine-Farmington ($14,492)
- University of Maine-Orono ($16,365)
- College of the Atlantic ($18,355)
- Colby College ($18,552)
- Husson University ($19,342)3
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The seven Maine schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Central Maine Community College
- Eastern Maine Community College
- Kennebec Valley Community College
- Northern Maine Community College
- Southern Maine Community College
- Washington County Community College
- York County Community College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/