Many of the colleges and universities in Maine are located in the southwest portion of the state, near the city of Portland, which is one of the most populous areas. There are nearly 30 higher education institutions in Maine, including private liberal arts schools and larger public research universities. Among the miles of beautiful forest and coastline, these colleges provide high quality education to students from all over the country.
Bates College, located in the small town of Lewiston, ME, this private liberal arts school is home to about 1,600 students. They can choose from over 30 majors, and enjoy the 4-1-4 semester program, which allows for focused study on one subject during winter term. The campus is absent of Greek organizations, though most students do live in college housing. The school is moderately to highly selective. To read an in-depth, head-to-head comparison of Bates and Colby, go here.
Bowdoin College, one of the most elite and selective liberal arts colleges in the country, boasts high quality education as well as a beautiful campus, including a 200-acre property on Kent Island, used for scientific field research. Bowdoin offers an excellent education to hard-working students, and also allows for extracurricular success with its popular athletics and outdoor club. For a detailed comparison of Bowdoin College and Swarthmore College, visit this page.
Colby College, another highly selective school in Maine, offers over 50 majors, and is a member of the group known as the “little ivies.” Colby’s campus is spread across hundreds of acres in Waterville, ME, allowing students to relax and enjoy their time out of the classroom. Popular extracurriculars include the Colby Outing Club and various music clubs. Colby is relatively selective. To see Colby compared closely with Bates, see this school comparison.
College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME offers over 30 majors, 45 clubs and organizations, as well as generous financial aid opportunities for its students. This moderately selective school emphasizes the importance of leadership and living in a way that benefits their community. Studying abroad is a popular option at this college, and when they take classes on campus, the students are assured individual attention from very qualified faculty and staff.