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Colleges in and near Portland

Portland is home to two colleges, with 6,169 students on campus

The University of Southern Maine (5,699 students on campus) and Maine College of Art & Design (470) are inside the city, and Southern Maine Community College (5,470) is 2.4 miles from the center, just over the line in South Portland. About 7% of Portland’s residents are enrolled in college, above Maine (6%).

Southern Maine Community CollegeUniversity of Southern Maine

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Portland. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
11,639 students on campus
Nearest college
2.4 mi
Southern Maine
Residents in college
7%
Above ME (6%)
Nearest community college
2.4 mi
Southern Maine · $4,156 tuition
Nearest public university
4.9 mi
University of Southern Maine · $11,284 in-state
Median household income
$80K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Portland

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 4.9 milesUniversity of Southern Maine admits 79% of applicants. Together they have 11,169 students on campus.A community college 2.4 miles awaySouthern Maine Community College in South Portland: tuition and fees $4,156 a year for Maine residents.In-state price at University of Southern MaineLiving in Maine, the University of Southern Maine charges $11,284 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $27,944. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 7% of residentsAbove Maine (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Portland

One private college within 4.1 miles, one public college within 4.9 miles, and Southern Maine Community College 2.4 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Southern MaineSouthern MaineMaine College of Art & DesignPortland
University or collegeCommunity college
Southern Maine Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,470 on campus · 2.4 mi · South Portland$11knet price28%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $4,156 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Maine College of Art & DesignUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 470 on campus · In Portland76%admitted$38knet price52%graduate$41kearningsUniversity of Southern MaineUniversity or college · Public · 5,699 on campus · In Portland79%admitted$14knet price40%graduate$50kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Portland’s median household income ($79,540) falls.

Southern Maine Community College2.4 mi · South Portland · sticker $18,531 · tuition $4,156$12,946a year
University of Southern MaineIn Portland · sticker $23,717$16,750a year
Maine College of Art & DesignIn Portland · sticker $60,128$40,992a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Portland: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Southern MaineMaine College of Art & DesignUniversity of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine40% graduate$50k earnings$19k typical debt
Southern Maine Community College28% graduate$42k earnings$10k typical debt
Maine College of Art & Design52% graduate$41k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Portland

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Portland’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 19%Business 18%Social sciences 13%Visual & performing arts 12%Psychology 4%Communication 4%Everything else 29%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of Southern Maine · 168 graduates a year
$75k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity of Southern Maine · 96 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsUniversity of Southern Maine · 69 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Social Sciences, OtherUniversity of Southern Maine · 59 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralUniversity of Southern Maine · 56 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesUniversity of Southern Maine · 51 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralUniversity of Southern Maine · 42 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
MarketingUniversity of Southern Maine · 36 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Portland

Is Portland a college town?

No. About 7 of every 100 Portland residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Maine (6). The largest campus in the city, the University of Southern Maine, has 5,699 students on campus.

What colleges are in Portland?

The University of Southern Maine and Maine College of Art & Design are inside the city. Southern Maine Community College is 2.4 miles from the center, in South Portland.

What is the closest community college to Portland, and what does it cost?

Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, 2.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,156 a year for Maine residents; the federal net price, $11,086, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of Southern Maine cost if we live in Maine?

Tuition and fees are $11,284 a year in-state and $27,944 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,999 (under $30,000 income) to $19,180 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Portland. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →