Maine lighthouse on the coast

The Best College Towns in Maine

With tree-filled campuses and red brick buildings, New England colleges are the golden standard for college experiences. Found in charming small towns close to New England lakes, forests, beaches and mountains, their location is a key part of their appeal. Plus, everyone knows that one of the best parts about college is the time spent outside the classroom.

When not in class, students want to go out and do fun stuff within walking distance of campus. College towns need to have a good mix of social activities. That includes performance venues, restaurants, bars, cafés, shopping and sports. Outdoor access is also very important, with proximity to national parks or recreation areas. And, of course, they need affordable digs, since most college students are on tight budgets. The location, attractions and layout of a college town play a big part in deciding where to go to college.

Maine is the ideal place for your college years. You can go hiking and kayaking in Acadia National Park. Portland (yes, the other Portland) has great foodie and craft brewing scenes in its own right. You can live in friendly, bustling small towns that have plenty to do but still allow you to focus on your studies. Even if you’re not a student, college towns are a great place to live. They’re affordable, have lively cultural scenes and tons of great food and beer. No matter what kind of college experience you want, Maine has a town for it.

The best Maine college towns to live and study in

From cozy cities to rural towns, these are the best places to live and go to college in Maine.

Augusta

Augusta, Maine

Home to the public University of Maine at Augusta, Maine’s capital city is a happy medium between big city and small town. With roughly 19,000 residents, almost everything is within a 15-minute drive of the city center. The university, part of the greater University of Maine, which has campuses across the state, is a five-minute drive from downtown.

With a student body of less than 6,000, it’s Maine’s third-biggest public university. Students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in fields like liberal arts and nursing. Situated along the Kennebec River waterfront, downtown Water Street is Augusta’s social hub. Parks, bars, restaurants, theaters and shopping are all within walking distance. The surrounding forests are also great escapes to enjoy fall foliage and hiking. Students and renters can expect to pay an average of $709 a month for an apartment.

Bangor

Bangor, Maine

From visiting Stephen King’s house to live shows at the Waterfront Pavilion, Bangor has quite the cultural scene. Historically a hub for the lumber industry, nowadays, education is one of its top fields. Bangor has two private universities, Beal College and Husson University, which have strong business, science and communication programs. Eastern Maine Community College brings affordable education to residents. It also offers more than 30 programs in the liberal arts and technical fields.

Twenty to 44-year-olds account for almost 40 percent of the population. So, Bangor is great for the young crowd. Hanging out in city parks, dining at local restaurants and visiting museums are among the top things to do here. One-bedroom apartments cost an average of $795, and Bangor even has its own small international airport.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor, Maine

Who wouldn’t want to live and study along the scenic Maine coastline? The gateway to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor attracts residents who want to live surrounded by nature. Hiking, boating and kayaking allow you to get up close to mountains, lakes, rivers and bays. With a picturesque downtown full of restaurants and shops, there’s plenty to do in town, as well. You can even eat all the lobster rolls you want.

Bar Harbor caters to students seeking careers related to the outdoors. The private College of the Atlantic is an experimental institution. It only offers degrees related to human ecology, which is the study of mankind’s interaction with the environment. So, the small student body of some 350 students spends plenty of time studying and working outside.

Biddeford

Biddeford, Maine

Not only is Biddeford Maine’s youngest city, but it’s a great city for young people to live in. Along with being the home of the University of New England, the median age around town is 29. With an average rent of $958, it’s also affordable.

Biddeford has recently revitalized its downtown area as a hip social hub. There’s diverse cuisine, independent stores, breweries and entertainment. The historic City Theater hosts music, dance and theater shows throughout the year. Biddeford’s location along the Maine coastline provides access to beaches, forests and rivers.

Brunswick

Brunswick, Maine

Brunswick has the honor of being the hometown of Maine’s first college. Founded in 1794, Bowdoin College is a private, liberal arts university. Its strong art- and culture-focused curriculum has turned Brunswick into a center for the arts and creativity. The Bowdoin College Museum of Art has over 20,000 works in its collection. Preserved as a national landmark, you can visit the home of author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Southern Maine Community College is the other higher education option in town.

Brunswick also has theaters, historic museums, breweries, fun restaurants, boutiques and antique shops. Farmers’ markets, parks and nature preserves also give residents ample opportunities to get outside. Residents can expect to dole out an average of $804 for rent.

Castine

Castine, Maine

For those who want to live life close to or on the water, Castine is the salty seaside town of your dreams. Located in eastern Maine, this small coastal town is a close-knit community of around 1,000 residents. From classic New England homes to the boat-filled harbor, it’s full of maritime charm.

In their free time, locals go boating, kayaking, hiking and golfing. As most locals own their homes, the median rent of $991 is higher than the statewide average. You can shop for seasonal produce at the farmer’s market, and the restaurants serve up delicious seafood fresh from the water.

Young adults enjoy a demographic majority here. This is thanks to student attendance at the Maine Maritime Academy. Aspiring salty dogs looking for a career in the Merchant Marines or maritime industry pursue four-year engineer and officer programs here.

Lewiston

Lewiston, Maine

With four different colleges, Lewiston is the peak of Maine college towns. The best-known is Bates College, a private liberal arts college. Along with Bowdoin, it’s one of Maine’s Little Ivies. The town is also home to the private Maine College of Health Professions, the public University of Southern Maine and Central Maine Community College.

With so many campuses, Lewiston bustles with youthful energy and a vibrant social scene. As Maine’s second-biggest city, there’s plenty to do. With theaters, museums, lush parks, dining and shopping, cultural and outdoorsy diversions abound. Thanks to the Bates Bobcats, residents can cheer on their local football, basketball and soccer teams, among other sports. Festivals take place throughout the year, including a film festival and a Brewfest. Lewiston also has a very affordable cost of living. The average rent here is $716.

Orono

Orono, Maine

Orono is the complete Maine college town package. It has great sports, parks, museums, breweries and fun activities like bowling. One-bedroom apartments here cost an average of $988, so it’s accessible to students and budget-conscious renters. Residents have access to everything from farmers’ markets and shopping malls to fishing and nature strolls at the Orono Bog Boardwalk.

Young adults between 20 and 44 make up 43 percent of the population, so it’s very much a young-person town. This is thanks to the University of Maine, which has an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students. The flagship campus for the state-wide public university, it’s also Maine’s only Division I university. As such, collegiate athletics is a big part of life here.

Portland

Portland, Maine

Along with Lewiston, Portland is one of the top college towns in Maine. As the state’s most populous city, it’s ideal for students seeking more of a big-city experience. Portland has its own stellar food and craft brewing scene similar to West Coast Portland. Arts and culture, shopping, sports and outdoor recreation like fishing also thrive here. The downtown and hip districts are easy to navigate on foot, granting Portland a WalkScore of 80. At an average of $1,595 per month for a one-bedroom, it’s the most expensive Maine college town on this list.

Students here have four colleges to choose from. They can study art at the private Maine College of Art or law at the University of Maine School of Law. Portland also has satellite campuses for the University of New England and the University of Southern Maine.

Waterville

Waterville, Maine

Home to two private colleges, Waterville is a prosperous, youthful community on the shores of the Kennebec River. From watching arthouse films at the Railroad Square Cinema to spending time outdoors at the Quarry Road Trails, locals have tons of activities.

With around 16,000 residents, the town is rightfully proud of its higher education institutions. Foremost is Colby College, a private and highly selective liberal arts college that’s considered one of the Little Ivies. Thomas College is a well-regarded private university specializing in business, technology and education. The cost of rent here sits at $1,150 per month.

Find good work-life balance living in these Maine college towns

College towns in Maine offer the best of both worlds when it comes to work, study and play. From beaches to forests, you can’t beat the outdoor access here, as well. The low rents and affordable cost of living are just icing on the cake.

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