Academic Excellence

12:1

student to teacher ratio

90+

academic programs

20

Average class size

Undergraduate classes
  • 95% of Â鶹´«Ã½undergrads are employed or in ongoing higher education within one year of graduating (based on 2016–2022 graduate surveys)
  • We are Maine’s largest independent university
  • We are the No. 1 provider of health care professionals in Maine
icon depicting a microscope

46% of our undergraduates engage in research with faculty

icon depicting a stethescope

We have Maine’s only medical college and physician assistant program and northern New England’s only dental college

graphic depicting an id badge

92% of our undergraduates participate in clinical rotation, fieldwork, or internship

Inspiring Locations

  • We have 3 beautiful campuses in Maine and Morocco, plus online programs
  • Our Biddeford, Maine campus offers more than 4,000 feet of scenic shoreline
  • Portland has been ranked the top New England city to live in by U.S. News & World Report
icon depicting the sun over ocean waves

There are 24 beaches within a 50-mile radius of our campuses

icon depicting a forest

We have 363 acres of contiguous forest

icon depicting a lighthouse

Ram Island, our own private one-acre living laboratory right in Saco Bay

student life and community

  • Our students provide more than 10,000 community service hours per year
  • 12 new student clubs and organizations added in the 2022–2023 academic year
  • 20 club sport offerings
  • More than 90 student clubs and organizations
18

NCAA teams

5x

our students study abroad 5x above the national average

22+

intramural sport opportunities

Financial Prudence

icon depicting a rolled diploma

$44 million awarded annually in institutional scholarships

icon depicting a down arrow

Our student loan default rate is 0.6% â€” lower than the national average (2.3%)

icon depicting am inclining bar graph

UNE’s annual economic impact in Maine is greater than $1 billion 

Recognition We’ve Received

Title
Best Colleges: National
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2025
Title
Best Colleges
Source
Princeton Review
Year
2025

Academic Quality

  • Princeton Review
    • Best 382 Colleges
    • Best Online Ed.D. Programs
  • Biology Explorer: Top 10 Best Marine Biology Colleges
  • College Choice: Top 15 Best Marine Biology Degrees
  • College Magazine: Top 10 Best Colleges For Marine Biology
  • College Raptor
    • Hidden Gem for academic rigor and student success
    • Hidden Gem for Women in STEM
  • Intelligent.com 
    • Best Online Universities and Colleges in Maine 
    • Best Colleges in Maine
    • Best Online Master's in Health Informatics Degree Programs
    • Best Online Master's in Public Health Degree Programs
    • Best One-Year M.S.W. Degree Programs Online
  • Nonprofit Colleges Online: Best Online Doctorates in Education Programs
  • U.S. News & World Report
    • Best Graduate Schools
    • Best National Universities
    • Best Nursing (B.S.N.) Programs
    • Best Nursing-Anesthesia (CRNA) Schools
    • Best Occupational Therapy Programs
    • Best Pharmacy Schools
    • Best Physical Therapy Programs
    • Best Physician Assistant Schools
    • Best Public Health Schools
    • Best Social Work Schools
    • Best Online Graduate Education Programs

Return on Investment

  • MONEY Magazine: Best Colleges for Your Money
  • Zippia: No. 1 in Maine for graduates getting jobs
  • The Brookings Institution: No. 1 Maine college or university for its ability to increase students’ career earnings
  • Moody’s Investor Services and Fitch Ratings: A-Rated
  • Affordable Colleges Online: 50 Most Affordable Master’s Degree Programs Online
  • College Affordability Guide: Top Online Schools for Public Health

General

  • The Princeton Review: Guide to Green Colleges
  • International Age Friendly University Global Network: Recognized as an Age-Friendly University
  • U.S. News & World Report
    • Most Diverse Medical Schools
    • Most Graduates Practicing in Primary care