2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Maine
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.
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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Accounting Schools
Our analysis ranked Kennebec Valley Community College the best value for a degree in accounting in Maine. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $16,165 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $43,896 early in their careers. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Students borrow a median of $14,700 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $43,934. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $41,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $19,230 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $51,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Augusta is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $29,503. Accounting graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $48,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,503 median debt.
University Of Maine placed #6 among the best values for accounting. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Accounting graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $48,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas College earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $47,356. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas College admits about 96% of applicants.
Husson University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Accounting graduates carry a median of $27,375 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $57,574. Set against $27,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $67,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
