2024 Best Colleges for Political Science in Maine

• Brunswick, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  721 reviews

Freshman: Choosing Bowdoin was the best decision of my life! They truly value the liberal arts model AND have great STEM programs. care deeply about the student experience. I would recommend it to absolutely any and every student who is looking for a school with incredible academics and amazing peers. The student body is incredibly intelligent and passionate, yet never competitive. Students are also really friendly and there is a true sense of community on campus: when something is wrong, students look after and take care of each other. Bowdoin works very hard to foster both personal and academic growth in its students—one of Bowdoin's most admirable and impactful qualities. I found the classes to be extremely enjoyable. Professors put tons of effort into teaching their classes and make it clear that they really care about you. Academics are challenging yet extremely rewarding. Yes, the food and dorms are actually as great as everyone says they are. Also financial aid is astonishingly generous.... Read 721 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $26,727

• SAT range 1360-1510

• Lewiston, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  401 reviews

Junior: Bates is a quality institution with caring professors, a beautiful campus, and a collaborative student culture. Even within STEM majors, there's an attitude of students supporting one another through hard classes rather than trying to get ahead. The party scene slows down during the colder months, but it gets made up for during Short Term with some party or event to be found almost every day. It's easy to get close with professors to the point where you might find yourself invited to dinners in their homes! Classes, especially smaller ones where the content is heavily based on your professor's research, are consistently engaging. Overall I've really loved my time at Bates, although as a major in a smaller department (neuroscience) I've felt that students can be impacted negatively by deficits in resources. When small schools have small departments like this, losing just one or two professors can severely damage the major. However, I think it's a great choice as a liberal arts school.... Read 401 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $26,231

• SAT range 1385-1460

• Waterville, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  591 reviews

Freshman: Generally it's a great place. The best part is definitely the education. It's very rigorous, I have plenty of time to work with both professors and TAs, and every professor I've had has been a legitimate 10/10. A senior I know who did a year at Dartmouth said the teaching quality at Colby is noticeably better. I agree that the worst aspect of this school is the social life, but I think the negative reviews are overblown. It's true that there's drinking and partying, but in my experience it's easy to avoid. I live in a substance free dorm, and I've never personally experienced the rowdiness from a party. I also think there are great things about the social life: *most* people are not cliquish, and it's easy to make friends as the college is small. I'm running out of space, so I'll summarize my other thoughts briefly: Campus—beautiful location/architecture Dorms—extremally hit or miss Weather—very cold/snowy in winter People—majority sporty & outdoorsy, sizable minority artsy or nerdy... Read 591 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $17,912

• SAT range 1400-1530

• Orono, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  2,154 reviews

Senior: UMaine is a beautiful campus. I am from the state, and it is a perfect school to transition into as an individual. I transferred from EMCC, so as expected a few credits didn't transfer over smoothly. Minus that hiccup I've had a great time back on campus after the pandemic. There are loads of clubs to join and ways to be involved as a student. I definitely recommend this school to people; we have a lot of people from out of state that attend here so it's also great to meet new friends from different places. The only real thing I'd like to see change would be advisor involvement in regard to financial aid and scholarships. It's something I myself and others have struggled with, as it is difficult to find and obtain them. Again, I love going to school here! Its a great environment to learn in.... Read 2,154 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $17,146

• SAT range 1060-1280

• Farmington, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  423 reviews

Alum: I loved my experience at UMF in the early childhood special education program! It was a small cohort, so I really got to know my peers well over the four years and developed excellent rapport with the faculty as well. Farmington has a great small town feel, is very safe, but still offers enough entertainment during the week with Augusta and Portland being within a reasonable distance for weekend adventures. The best aspect of my program was that I started my practicum experiences my sophomore year. Most teacher prep programs don't send students into the field until their junior, or in some cases, senior year. Starting early allowed me to really pinpoint how I wanted to be involved in education. UMF worked hard to listen to its students and genuinely took its students perspective into account when making changes for safety, diversity, equity, and community engagement. If I could spend another 4 years here, I would!... Read 423 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 97%

• Net price $14,386

• SAT range —

• Biddeford, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.44 out of 5  1,132 reviews

Freshman: I visited UNE at the end of summer of 2022 and spring of 2023. It was beautiful both times (to say the least). The building are gorgeous and the classrooms I was able to tour looked like a place I belong. The whole time i was there I kept thinking, "I can definitely see myself staying here for the next few years". Another reason that UNE stood out to me is the staff and student. All of them seemed excited and happy to talk to me, with no exceptions. I'm so excited to start in the fall!... Read 1,132 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $36,261

• SAT range 1040-1230

• Portland, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  795 reviews

Junior: My time at the University of Southern Maine (USM) was transformative, marked by a commendable commitment to diversity, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on community engagement. USM's vibrant and inclusive community provides a welcoming environment for students of diverse backgrounds. The faculty, experts in their fields, are approachable and foster meaningful interactions in small class sizes. The university's focus on practical learning experiences and community engagement enriches the overall educational journey. While USM excels in these areas, there are opportunities for improvement. Enhanced accessibility for students with disabilities and strengthened career services would further elevate the university's offerings. In conclusion, USM offers a well-rounded education, and my experience was both fulfilling and enriching. The university's commitment to growth positions it as a strong institution, and I am confident it will continue to evolve positively.... Read 795 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $9,793

• SAT range 980-1230

• Augusta, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  294 reviews

Senior: My overall experience at UMA has been positive. My professors have been knowledgeable, flexible and encouraging. The courses have been challenging but worthwhile--often they were even fun! My only real complaint is that many of the upper level courses in some of the majors are not available online or asynchronously, which can make it very difficult due to the pandemic and for working adults especially to attend class, participate in discussions et cetera safely.... Read 294 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,619

• SAT range —

• Standish, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.4 out of 5  279 reviews

Freshman: I'm not apart of the community yet, as I'll be attending in the fall on 2023. I knew immediately Saint Josephs was for me, as they were always so curious, kind, and welcoming. I toured the school 3 times, and every time was just a little different each time. You always saw something different no matter what, even if you had been multiple times. The environment is calm and friendly, and all the staff and people apart of SJC have been so caring, always reaching out and answering any questions you may have about your experience. The student body itself is so welcoming and kind, always welcoming new people with open arms and offering friendship whenever they can. The incoming freshman at SJC have been so kind, and open to meeting all the new people that could be popping in. I'm happy I chose the school when I did and truly can't picture myself in another environment.... Read 279 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $30,044

• SAT range 1020-1230

• Waterville, ME•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  280 reviews

Freshman: Thomas College is an outstanding school and community. The campus is exceptional, with new facility's and hundreds of unique features- students are sure to find a favorite spot on campus. The school has a significant home away from home feel. Staff and students all know each other on a personal level and are sure to meet you with a bright smile. Located in Waterville Maine, Thomas resides on a peaceful street located right in town. Although Thomas has endless activities on campus, you can always walk into town to find more to do. Living in a small city Thomas offers twenty four hour security to ensure campus feels safe for all. Campus life is amazing for students. Another great feature at Thomas College is the dining hall, you will never go hungry at Thomas! With thousands of food options to choose from: American, wood fired pizza, Asian, Italian, soups & salads, and much more. Thomas College is an outstanding home for anyone to choose!... Read 280 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $22,031

• SAT range —