graduateshotline logo
Last Updated: September 27, 2021

Maine - The Pine Tree State

Maine is situated in both the northernmost and easternmost portion of the New England region of the United States. The capital of Maine is Augusta and Portland is its largest city. The state is the least densely populated among the regions east of Mississippi. According to the United States Census Bureau, the estimated population of Maine is around 1.37 million in 2021. The climatic characteristics of Maine vary from pleasant warm summers to cold and snowy winters.

Maine is well-known for its unique and diverse landscapes from its snow-capped mountains, to its bright and sunny beaches. It is said that Maine got its name through French colonists who named the region in honor of 'Mayne", a French province. Some say the name was synonymous with 'the mainland'. Maine got its popular nickname "The Pine Tree State" because of the coniferous forests laden with pine cones surrounding the vast areas of the state. The state flower is a White Pine Cone as well, which is displayed on the state's flag, along with the great seal of Maine.

Major Cities in Maine

Portland

With a population of around 67,000, Portland is the largest city in Maine. It is located in Cumberland County and was founded on July 4, 1786. Portland is a major economic center with manufacturing, service, agriculture, and tourism being prominent sectors. Popular tourist destinations in Portland are Stroudwater Village, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Bug Light, Victoria Mansion, Portland Museum of Art, Portland Head Light, and Palace Playland.

Lewiston

Situated in Androscoggin County, Lewiston is the second biggest city in the state of Maine. It has an estimated population of approximately 36,100. It is said that Paul Hildreth was the first permanent settler in this region. Established as a city in 1863, Lewiston is one of the safest cities in the state. Healthcare, food services, manufacturing, and paper production are some of the major industries in this city. Popular sites in Lewiston are Bates College Museum of Art, Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, Beaver Park, Papermill Trail / Miller Park, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and a lot more.

Bangor

The city of Bangor has an estimated population of around 32,100 and is the third-largest city in Maine. Manufacturing, shipbuilding, finance, retail trade, and services are some of the prominent sectors in this city. It is also popularly known as the Queen City of the East. Bangor is a beautiful city with various fascinating attractions like Acadia National Park, Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway, Stephen King's House, Mount Hope Garden Cemetery, Cole Land Transportation, Bangor City Forest, Mount Hope Cemetery Corp. & Crematory, Darling's Waterfront Pavilion, and Maine Discovery Museum.

South Portland

With a population of around 26,000, South Portland is the fourth largest city in Maine. Situated in Cumberland County, the city is known for its low crime rates and high cost of living. Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Crescent Beach State Park, Willard Beach, Hinckley Park, Bug Light Park, Fort Preble, Eagle Island State Historic Site, etc., are some of the popular sites in South Portland.

Economy/Job Market

Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Maine

The cost of living in Maine is quite affordable and less than the national average. However, in the more densely populated urban areas of Greater Portland, the cost of living is somewhat higher than in the rest of the region. Transportation costs are the lowest whereas the groceries and utilities are on the more expensive side (higher than the national average). The most expensive cities to live in are Portland, South Portland, Biddeford, Westbrook, Bath. The most affordable cities are Caribou, Presque Isle, Gardiner, Calais, and Belfast. The median household income in Maine is around $58,000.

Educational costs are expensive if one plans to attend the best institutes in Maine. Private institutes are known for their higher tuition costs, but the tuition fees charged by the private universities in Maine are higher than the national average. For instance, considering that the average tuition in a private university is roughly $39,000, the tuition fee in Bowdoin College (Brunswick) is higher at around $52,000. However, there are numerous scholarships and grants provided by the state and its institutions to make education more affordable for students.

List of Few Major Universities/Colleges

Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students

There is a wide range of scholarships available for making education affordable for the students in Maine. Before applying for any kind of financial aid, the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) needs to be submitted by all students.

Tourism

Apart from being known as the 'Pine Tree State', Maine has another popular nickname "The Switzerland of America" because of its beautiful snow-capped mountains. The state is worth exploring given that it offers a variety of scenic landscapes for tourists to explore such as its enchanting pine forests, rocky coastlines, and beaches as well. Its beauty truly justifies the state's motto "It Must Be Maine; The Way Life Should Be". It should also be known that this state is ideal for vacation as it was previously known as Vacationland. Some of the best places to visit in this state are Acadia National Park, Marginal Way, and Ogunquit Beach, Mount Desert Island, Old Port and Portland Head Lighthouse, Old Orchard Beach, Baxter State Park, Boothbay Harbor, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Monhegan Island, and a lot more. To completely enjoy the exquisite charm of this state, it is best to visit during the Spring or Fall seasons.

Universities & Colleges in Maine

University (city) Total StudentsUG (in) / UG (out)G (in) / G (out)
Bowdoin College (Brunswick) 1799$51227 / $51227$N/A / $N/A
Colby College (Waterville) 1857$52272 / $52272$N/A / $N/A
University of Maine (Orono) 13091$12545 / $33454$10454 / $29272
University of New England (Biddeford) 13439$40772 / $40772$26136 / $26136
Maine Maritime Academy (Castine) 1007$14636 / $29272$8363 / $8363
University of Southern Maine (Portland) 10606$10454 / $24045$9409 / $22999
Saint Joseph's College of Maine (Standish) 2581$34499 / $34499$9409 / $9409
University of Maine at Fort Kent (Fort Kent) 1559$8363 / $8363$N/A / $N/A
Thomas College (Waterville) 1987$29272 / $29272$29272 / $29272
Unity College (Unity) 665$28227 / $28227$N/A / $N/A
University of Maine at Presque Isle (Presque Isle) 1289$8363 / $11499$N/A / $N/A
New England School of Communications (Bangor) 0$N/A / $N/A$N/A / $N/A
Husson University (Bangor) 0$N/A / $N/A$N/A / $N/A
College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor) 387$45999 / $45999$31363 / $31363
University of Maine at Augusta (Augusta) 4683$8363 / $17772$N/A / $N/A
University of Maine at Farmington (Farmington) 2016$10454 / $19863$N/A / $N/A
Bates College (Lewiston) 1792$51227 / $51227$N/A / $N/A
University of Maine at Machias (Machias) 786$8363 / $20908$N/A / $N/A
Maine College of Art (Portland) 488$38681 / $38681$38681 / $38681

*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
- Recommended program (Top 250)