Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Maine 2025
Many accredited colleges and universities in Maine offer flexible, affordable online bachelor's degree programs, allowing students to reach their career goals.
Online degrees can be a great way for busy students to complete their higher education. Online courses, especially asynchronous ones, offer far more flexibility than learning on campus, allowing students to continue working or caring for family while they study.
While education can be expensive, there are many affordable bachelor's degrees online that students can pursue. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online bachelor's degree programs in Maine.
How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost in Maine?
All schools in Maine that offer online bachelor's degrees charge less than $500 per credit; however, tuition rates vary between schools. The cheapest online bachelor's degrees in Maine tend to come from public schools.
Other factors, such as whether you have transfer credits and where you live, can also affect your tuition rates. Another way to find financial aid programs. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. Look for cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA to ensure you can use the federal aid at your school.
Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Maine
Several colleges and universities in Maine offer highly affordable online bachelor's degrees. We've highlighted the most affordable options below.
1. University of Maine at Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta is a public college in Augusta, ME. It offers over a dozen online bachelor's degrees in business administration, computer science, cybersecurity, and social sciences.
UMA charges an in-state tuition rate of $260 per credit and charges online students who live out of state $390 per credit. The Pine Tree State Pledge also covers all tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Maine residents.
Average in-state tuition: $260 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $390 per credit hour
Financial aid: UMA accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid like the Pine Tree State Pledge, and accepts private aid.
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
2. University of Maine at Fort Kent
At the University of Maine at Fort Kent, students can earn a handful of bachelor's degrees through online learning. Areas of study include allied healthcare, business management, nursing, and psychology.
This public university is located in Fort Kent, ME. It charges $260 per credit for Maine residents and $442 per credit for residents of other states. UMFK also offers the Fort Kent Promise Program to eligible Maine residents, which covers all tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate programs.
Average in-state tuition: $260 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $442 per credit hour
Financial aid: UMFK offers institutional aid, including the Fort Kent Promise Program. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: NECHE
3. University of Maine at Presque Isle
The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers two types of online bachelor's degrees. UMPI is a public university in Presque Isle, ME.
The first type is a traditional online bachelor's degree, available in fields like English, history, psychology, and social work. Its in-state tuition rate is $268 per credit and its out-of-state rate is $457 per credit.
The second type is the university's YourPace options, which allow students to complete the coursework at their own pace. These degrees are available in several fields, like criminal justice, healthcare administration, and information technology, and cost $1,800 per eight-week term.
Average in-state tuition: $268 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $457 per credit hour
Financial aid: UMPI offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
Accreditation: NECHE
4. University of Maine at Farmington
Three online bachelor's degrees are available through the University of Maine at Farmington. These degrees are in public policy, special education, and professional studies, the latter of which offers multiple focus areas.
UMF, located in Farmington, ME, is a public liberal arts college. Tuition is $306 per credit for in-state students and $725 per credit for out-of-state students. However, residents of New England states pay a discounted out-of-state rate of $536 per credit.
Average in-state tuition: $306 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $536 per credit hour
Financial aid: UMF accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional financial aid.
Accreditation: NECHE
5. University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a public institution based in Portland, ME. It offers several online education programs at the bachelor's level in fields like business administration, health sciences, liberal studies, and social sciences.
Tuition for online students is $343 per credit hour. This rate is the same regardless of where the student lives.
Average in-state tuition: $343 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $343 per credit hour
Financial aid: USM accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
Accreditation: NECHE
6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Saint Joseph's College of Maine offers nearly ten bachelor's degrees through distance learning. Areas of study include healthcare administration, nursing, social work, and theology.
SJCME, located in Standish, ME, is a private Catholic institution. It charges $390 per credit for all online undergraduate degrees, with the exception of the accelerated Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program, which is $900 per credit.
Average in-state tuition: $390 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $390 per credit hour
Financial aid: SJCME offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: NECHE
7. University of Maine
The University of Maine offers several online college degrees. UMaine is a public research institution in Orono, ME.
Online bachelor's degrees are available in fields like business administration, engineering technology, political science, and social work. In-state tuition is $400 per credit, while out-of-state tuition is $500 per credit.
Average in-state tuition: $400 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $500 per credit hour
Financial aid: UMaine offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
Accreditation: NECHE
8. University of Maine at Machias
Three bachelor's degrees are available through online education at the University of Maine at Machias. These degrees are in college studies, psychology and community studies, and rural education. The college studies degree allows students to design their own major.
UMM, located in Machias, ME, is a public institution. It charges $400 per credit to in-state students and $500 per credit to out-of-state students. UMM also offers the Downeast Promise, which covers tuition costs for eligible Maine residents.
Average in-state tuition: $400 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $500 per credit hour
Financial aid: UMM accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid like the Downeast Promise.
Accreditation: NECHE
9. Husson University
Husson University is a private, nonprofit institution in Bangor, ME. It offers multiple online bachelor's degrees in animal studies, business administration, healthcare, and social sciences.
The university charges $448 per credit hour for online undergrad programs. It's also one of several online colleges with tuition payment plans in the U.S.
Average in-state tuition: $448 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $448 per credit hour
Financial aid: Husson University accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
Accreditation: NECHE
10. Unity Environmental University
Through Unity Environmental University, students can earn various bachelor's degrees online. Areas of study include animal science, environmental engineering, marine biology, and wildlife conservation.
Unity, located in Unity, ME, is a private, nonprofit university focused on the environmental sciences. It charges a tuition rate of $470 per credit hour for online bachelor's degree programs.
Average in-state tuition: $470 per credit hour
Average out-of-state tuition: $470 per credit hour
Financial aid: Unity offers institutional aid, including scholarships for online students. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: NECHE
How We Rank Schools
To find the affordable online colleges in Maine listed above, we focused on:
- Accreditation: Every online school on this list is regionally accredited.
- Affordability: Once we determined which accredited Maine schools offer online bachelor's degrees, we looked at which have the lowest tuition rates.
- Program reputation and quality: All online college degrees come from accredited institutions that are either public or private nonprofit to ensure students get a world-class education.
- Online format: Each school on this list has at least three online programs.
FAQs About the Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in Maine
For career-focused students, choosing the right online degree that's also a low-cost program can feel overwhelming. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable online bachelor's programs in Maine to help you out.
What Is the Average Cost of an Online Bachelor's Degree in Maine?
The average cost of an online bachelor's degree program in Maine is $354.50 per credit hour for in-state students. However, depending on the school and sometimes even the program you pick, your tuition rate could be higher or lower.
What Is the Cheapest Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree?
In addition to choosing a low-cost online school, one of the best ways to reduce your tuition costs is to apply for financial aid. The FAFSA determines what federal aid you qualify for, like the Pell Grant. There are tons of online colleges that accept Pell Grant, including those listed above.
FAFSA also determines your eligibility for state aid, like the Maine State Grant Program. Additionally, you'll need to file your FAFSA in order to be eligible for institutional aid, like promise programs.
Another way to lower your tuition is to find low-cost ways to earn your general education credits. Some high schools offer options like Advanced Placement (AP) programs that allow students to complete college-level coursework while still in high school.
Many students also choose to complete their associate degree at a community college, as community colleges often charge less than four-year institutions. Once you've earned your associate degree or college credits, you can look for online colleges that accept transfer credits or offer credit for prior learning. Most colleges will accept credits if they come from regionally accredited institutions.
How Can I Find Accredited and Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs?
There are several ways to find accredited and affordable online bachelor's degree programs. You can look at lists on Learn.org or other sites like U.S. News and World Report. You can also use tools like the College Navigator from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) or the College Scorecard from the U.S. Department of Education.
When looking for the perfect online college, you'll want to consider a few different things. These include:
- your career goals
- tuition rates and financial aid opportunities
- format (in-person versus online courses, asynchronous versus synchronous)
- start dates and term lengths
- student services like academic advising and career counseling
What Is the Easiest BA Degree To Get Online?
The easiest Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree will vary from person to person, depending on your strengths. However, degrees in general studies or liberal arts are often the easiest for online learners.
These programs usually offer greater flexibility within the curriculum, allowing you to choose more interesting and potentially easier courses. However, it's important to note that these aren't always as in-demand as more career-focused degree programs.
Find Online Bachelor's Degree Programs
Find your perfect online bachelor's degree by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individuals schools to learn more about enrollment, start dates, and financial aid.