Best Colleges in Portland Maine
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I will rise again is Portland's motto, and it will raise you to new heights when you go back to school. There are 7 different postsecondary institutions, which have a range of degree options from Biochemistry to Athletic Training and Illustration to Early Childhood Education. Being the largest port in the state, Portland is Maine's economic capital. It has the largest population and boasts an unemployment rate that is 2% below the national average. Trade, transportation, education, and healthcare account for 39% of the city's jobs, so degrees in education, healthcare, or business will have jobs just waiting for you.
Forbes named Portland the "Most Livable City", and there are several reasons why. First, Portland has the most restaurants per capita and was named a food destination by the New York Times. They also have a farmer's market that's been around since 1768. The city has a network of over 70 miles of trails for walking, hiking, and biking, and they close down a whole street, Baxter Boulevard, every Sunday May-November for people to enjoy the views. There are events nearly each night, and the Arts District on Congress is home to a range of theaters and museums. So get out and enjoy the city that will get you off your feet with everything there is to do.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics *Wikipedia, "Portland, Maine" *National Center for Education Statistics *trails.orgBest Four Year Universities in Portland Maine
Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
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1 | University of New England | Biddeford, ME |
University of New England offers 80 Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a mid sized suburb. In 2015, 2,003 students graduated with students earning 808 Master's degrees, 575 Doctoral degrees, 514 Bachelor's degrees, and 106 Certificates degrees. | Based on 4 Reviews |
Read more: University of New England Reviews
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2 | Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME |
Bowdoin College offers 98 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a outlying town. In 2015, 665 students graduated with students earning 665 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 4 Reviews |
Read more: Bowdoin College Reviews
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3 | University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME |
University of Southern Maine offers 196 Degree programs. It's a medium sized public university in a small city. In 2015, 2,128 students graduated with students earning 1,278 Bachelor's degrees, 630 Master's degrees, 129 Certificates degrees, 90 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Associate's degree. | Based on 20 Reviews |
Read more: University of Southern Maine Reviews
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4 | Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish, ME |
Saint Joseph's College of Maine offers 67 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a outlying rural. In 2015, 702 students graduated with students earning 373 Master's degrees, 311 Bachelor's degrees, 10 Certificates degrees, and 8 Associate's degrees. |
Read more: Saint Joseph's College of Maine Reviews
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5 | Maine College of Art | Portland, ME |
Maine College of Art offers 13 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a small city. In 2015, 95 students graduated with students earning 80 Bachelor's degrees, and 15 Master's degrees. | Based on 4 Reviews |
Read more: Maine College of Art Reviews
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6 | Kaplan University-Maine Campus | S Portland, ME |
Kaplan University-Maine Campus offers 76 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a small city. In 2015, 374 students graduated with students earning 221 Associate's degrees, 112 Bachelor's degrees, 25 Certificates degrees, and 16 Master's degrees. |
Read more: Kaplan University-Maine Campus Reviews
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Best Community Colleges in Portland Maine
Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
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1 | Southern Maine Community College | South Portland, ME |
Southern Maine Community College offers 62 Degree programs. It's a medium sized public college in a small city. In 2015, 894 students graduated with students earning 864 Associate's degrees, and 30 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Southern Maine Community College Reviews
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2 | The Landing School | Arundel, ME |
The Landing School offers 6 Degree programs. It's a very small private college in a outlying rural. In 2015, 85 students graduated with students earning 74 Certificates degrees, and 11 Associate's degrees. |
Read more: The Landing School Reviews
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3 | York County Community College | Wells, ME |
York County Community College offers 22 Degree programs. It's a small public college in a far away rural. In 2015, 236 students graduated with students earning 205 Associate's degrees, and 31 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: York County Community College Reviews
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List of all Colleges in Portland Maine
School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of New England Biddeford, ME |
5/5
|
22 : 1 | 7,794 |
|
Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME |
5/5
|
9 : 1 | 1,799 |
|
University of Southern Maine Portland, ME |
2/5
|
22 : 1 | 7,739 |
|
Saint Joseph's College of Maine Standish, ME |
5/5
|
19 : 1 | 2,581 |
|
Southern Maine Community College South Portland, ME |
2/5
|
28 : 1 | 6,045 |
|
The Landing School Arundel, ME |
4/5
|
15 : 1 | 74 |
|
Cosmotech School of Cosmetology Westbrook, ME | 11 : 1 | 31 | |
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Seacoast Career Schools-Sanford Campus Sanford, ME | 21 : 1 | 147 | |
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York County Community College Wells, ME |
2/5
|
28 : 1 | 1,758 |
|
Maine College of Art Portland, ME |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 468 |
|
Northeast Technical Institute Scarborough, ME | 20 : 1 | 477 | |
|
InterCoast Career Institute-South Portland South Portland, ME | 5 : 1 | 18 | |
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Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook Westbrook, ME | 15 : 1 | 184 | |
|
Kaplan University-Maine Campus S Portland, ME |
3/5
|
47 : 1 | 986 |
|
Empire Beauty School-Maine Portland, ME | 15 : 1 | 244 | |
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Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts Portland, ME | 32 : 1 | 64 |
Top Schools offering Specific Degrees in Portland Maine
Questions About Going to College in Portland Maine
How are the career opportunities for college graduates in this city?
Maine residents depend on Portland’s service-oriented economy. Opportunities look especially promising for registered nurses, sales reps, accountants, teachers, financial managers, and lawyers. If the tourism/hospitality industry is your thing, Portland might be your city. Visitors come in droves to the scenic coastline. And if you dream of working for a startup, take heart: America City Business Journals recognized Portland as a top market for small business vitality.
What major companies/industries are hiring what type of graduates/skills in Portland?
Maine Medical Center, MaineHealth, and Mercy Hospital provide employment for health science graduates. Looking for a position in the insurance industry? Leaders in that field include Unum Provident and Maine Employers Mutual Insurance Company. Future financial execs should check out TD Bank. Teachers and other educational professionals find work with Portland Public Schools, the largest school system in Maine. Portland hosts the corporate headquarters of Tex Tech Industries, a major textile manufacturer. The non-profit Goodwill Industries of Northern New England also chose Portland as the home for its administrative offices.
Is Portland more of a college town or a great place to start a career and family?
Students flock to Portland to study at University of Southern Maine, University of New England, University of Maine School of Law, and Maine College of Art. Beyond the collegiate atmosphere around campuses, Portland has plenty of individual neighborhoods. Singles enjoy the coffee shops, museums, and galleries of the downtown area. Commuters can’t beat Libbytown for its convenience to the interstate and public transportation. And people move to Deering Center for its proximity to elementary and high schools.
What do the locals in Portland like to do for fun?
Summer brings residents together for Old Port Festival, which features music, food, and plenty of sales by local merchants. October brings Harvest on the Harbor, a waterfront celebration of Maine’s outstanding food and wine. In winter, the outdoor Rink at Thompson’s Point provides skating for all ages; come in the evening to experience a breathtaking sunset. Locals also enjoy biking, running, and dog-walking along the Back Cove Trail— a loop with a great view of the Portland skyline.
What's the dating scene like in Portland? Will I meet my perfect mate?
About a quarter of the city’s adult population falls into the category of 20-34 years of age and unmarried. This concentration of young, single people compares to that of New York City. Number-wise, however, this translates into a pool of about 15,000— a large figure by Maine’s standards, but still constraining for many on the dating scene. Try your luck online: Portland has a higher number of profiles on Match.com than most other New England cities. Or check out Local Flames, a dating service that organizes events for singles such as brewery tours and paddling trips.