[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Famous for its stunning coastlines, Maine also offers top-ranked online degrees in many in-demand fields.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many of Maine’s fastest-growing careers require bachelor’s degrees; for example, a college degree meets the entry requirements for jobs in finance, education, and management. Compared to a high school graduate, a professional with a bachelor’s degree earns $26,000 more per year, according to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/data-on-display/education-pays.htm/” target=”_blank”]Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online bachelor’s programs offer several benefits compared to in-person programs. Mainers in remote parts of the state can enroll at top colleges without relocating or commuting long distances. Many of Maine’s online colleges also offer in-state tuition discounts for Maine residents. Maine’s online colleges offer programs in popular areas like business, cybersecurity, nursing, and education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Our list ranks the best online colleges in Maine. Prospective students can use these rankings to find the right fit for their personal interests, budgets, and career goals.[/hen-ui-text] ​ [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in Maine[/hen-ui-heading] ​ [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] ​ ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Employment in Maine[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a college degree can help Mainers increase their earning potential and qualify for more jobs. Maine’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/industryChange.html/” target=”_blank”]fastest-growing industries[/hen-ui-link] include management careers, educational services, and professional and technical services. The state also reports growth in the finance industry. These fields generally require a bachelor’s degree, and yet in July 2019, only [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ME/PST045219/” target=”_blank”]31.8% of Maine’s population[/hen-ui-link] held a bachelor’s degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Maine benefits from a lower-than-average cost of living and a below-average unemployment rate. In Maine, the cost of living index [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/maine/” target=”_blank”]sits at 96.5[/hen-ui-link] when measured against the national rate of 100. In Feb. 2021, the state’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.me.htm/” target=”_blank”]4.8% unemployment rate[/hen-ui-link] sat below the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm/” target=”_blank”]6.2% national average[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many careers offer above-average salaries in Maine. In May 2020, the state’s mean annual wage [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]exceeded $51,000[/hen-ui-link]. However, Mainers working as computer and information systems managers, financial managers, nurse practitioners, and sales managers all earned salaries more than double that average annual wage. Several of these career paths require a bachelor’s degree and work experience for entry-level employment.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following information explores some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in Maine. Salary information applies specifically to Maine, while job growth data pertains to the entire United States.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Careers[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Physicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]$279,700[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm/” target=”_blank”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Chief Executives[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]$152,620[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/” target=”_blank”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Pharmacists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]$134,100[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm/” target=”_blank”]-3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Computer and Information Systems Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]$133,040[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm/” target=”_blank”]10%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Financial Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]$122,940[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm/” target=”_blank”]15%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Sales Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]$117,230[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm/” target=”_blank”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_me.htm/” target=”_blank”]$111,580[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm/” target=”_blank”]45%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Master’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm/” target=”_blank”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Associate and Graduate Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to bachelor’s programs, many online colleges in Maine offer associate and graduate degrees. The switch to online-only education during the COVID-19 pandemic increased dependence on hybrid and fully online programs. As a result, students now have many options when choosing online associate degrees, master’s programs, and doctorates.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At the undergraduate level, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.uma.edu/academics/online/” target=”/"_blank"”]University of Maine at Augusta[/hen-ui-link] offers associate degrees in business administration, computer information systems, and justice studies. The university’s liberal studies major meets general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online graduate programs offer flexible formats for professionals seeking career advancement or changes. At [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.sjcme.edu/” target=”/"_blank"”]St. Joseph’s College of Maine[/hen-ui-link], master’s enrollees can study business administration, education, health administration, and nursing online. The college also offers online master’s programs in theology and divinity. Meanwhile, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://usm.maine.edu/online-programs/” target=”_blank”]University of Southern Maine[/hen-ui-link] offers online master’s degrees in nursing, education, and cybersecurity.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]During an [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online degree[/hen-ui-link], learners complete coursework through a distance learning platform. Online colleges offer both [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]synchronous and asynchronous schedules[/hen-ui-link], and most accept [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]transfer credits[/hen-ui-link]. Programs that require in-person components, such as student teaching or clinical practicums, work with students to meet the requirement in their local areas.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-article-card title=”What to Look for in an Online College” href=”/resources/what-to-look-for-online-college/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-article-card title=”How to Pick a College” href=”/resources/how-to-pick-a-college/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [/hen-ui-grid] ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] ​ [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Does Maine Have an Ivy League?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Maine does not have any Ivy League schools. However, several Maine colleges and universities are quite prestigious, including liberal arts colleges like Bowdoin College and public universities like the University of Maine.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How Many Colleges Are There in Maine?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Maine is home to dozens of public and private colleges, including two-year and four-year institutions. Learn more about Maine’s colleges from the state’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.maine.gov/portal/education/colleges.html/” target=”_blank”]higher education page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is Portland, Maine, a College Town?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://usmfreepress.org/2018/10/14/portland-ranked-best-college-town-in-maine/” target=”/"_blank"”]University of Southern Maine newspaper[/hen-ui-link], several organizations have ranked Portland as the best college town in Maine. There are several colleges and universities operating in and around the Portland area.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”1244,1481,323″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]