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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine ranking. This report analyzed 25 schools in Maine to see which ones were the most popular programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Kennebec Valley Community College the most popular school in Maine for trade school students working on their degree. Located in Fairfield, Maine, the small public school awarded 398 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College accumulate an average of $13,678 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 25 schools in Maine that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Maine Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. SMCC is a medium-sized public school situated in South Portland, Maine. It awarded 804 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,655 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SMCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,919 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine list. Westbrook, Maine is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 231 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook accumulate an average of $6,639 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $89 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $21,785 during the early years of their career. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Eastern Maine Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine list. This small public school is located in Bangor, Maine, and it awarded 365 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,688 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Eastern Maine Community College graduates make an average of $40,182 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Northeast Technical Institute is a great place for trade school students. Located in Scarborough, Maine, the very small private for-profit school handed out 208 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,077 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $149 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northeast Technical Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,764 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Capilo School of Hair Design ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine list. Capilo School of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution located in Augusta, Maine. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 164 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,229 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $79, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Capilo School of Hair Design graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $21,251 during the early year of their career. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Maine did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Orono, Maine, the fairly large public school handed out 2,876 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UMaine accumulate an average of $25,302 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $193, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMaine graduates make an average of $40,242 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Maine at Augusta landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Augusta, Maine is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 616 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,710 in student loans.After graduating from UMA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,249 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
University of New England did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Biddeford, Maine, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,557 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $94,012 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $567. Once they receive their degree, UNE graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,270 during the early year of their career. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, University of Southern Maine did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, Maine and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,918 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,469 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, University of Southern Maine graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,906 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Central Maine Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Central Maine Technical College is a public institution located in Auburn, Maine. The school has a small population, and it awarded 349 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,524 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Central Maine Technical College graduates make an average of $37,625 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #12, Northern Maine Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Northern Maine Community College is a very small public school located in Presque Isle, Maine that handed out 108 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,571 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Northern Maine Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,991 during the early years of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, Beal College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This very small private for-profit school is located in Bangor, Maine, and it awarded 175 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,195 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Beal College graduates make an average of $35,440 annually. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is a small private not-for-profit school located in Standish, Maine that handed out 501 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,091 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $555 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Saint Joseph’s Maine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,620 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
York County Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine list. Located in Wells, Maine, the small public school awarded 193 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,625 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, York County Community College graduates make an average of $29,096 annually. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Maine Maritime Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Castine, Maine is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 177 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,558 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $648, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Maine Maritime graduates make an average of $71,483 annually. Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.
Washington County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Calais, Maine is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 87 students in 2021-2022.
Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Empire Beauty School-Maine did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Portland, Maine is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 75 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,856 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $79, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Empire Beauty School-Maine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $18,295 during the early years of their career. Around 99% of those degree recipients were women.
Husson University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Bangor, Maine, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,065 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Husson accumulate an average of $40,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $253 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Husson graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,847 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
The Landing School landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. The Landing School is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Arundel, Maine. It awarded 57 degrees in 2021-2022.
Around 7% of those degree recipients were women.
Maine College of Health Professions did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Lewiston, Maine, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 100 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,354 in student loans.After graduating from MCHP, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,534 during the early years of their career. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Maine at Farmington came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine ranking. Located in Farmington, Maine, the small public school awarded 394 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UMaine Farmington accumulate an average of $23,329 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMaine Farmington graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,570 during the early year of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Maine at Presque Isle ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine list. University of Maine at Presque Isle is a small public school located in Presque Isle, Maine that handed out 272 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,900 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UMPI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,478 during the early years of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Thomas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. Thomas College is located in Waterville, Maine and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 276 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,355 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Thomas College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,918 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Maine at Fort Kent came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Maine ranking. This small public school is located in Fort Kent, Maine, and it awarded 231 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UMFK accumulate an average of $20,974 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMFK graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,135 during the early year of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.