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Key Takeaways
Best machine learning degree programs: Colby College, Bowdoin College, U of Maine
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,880 to $64,304/year
Southern Maine Community ... offers the most affordable option at $2,880/yr
Machine Learning degree programs available: 2 associate's, 1 master's, 1 doctoral in Maine
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
3 online machine learning degree programs in Maine
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Maine community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
2 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: IDEXX, WEX, Tyler Technologies, Covetrus
Tech hubs in Portland and Bangor
Hakia Research 2026
Machine Learning degree programs near 25+ cities across Maine
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Maine Machine Learning programs
We rank 11 accredited machine learning programs in Maine using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Machine Learning Degree Programs in Maine Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Machine Learning Degree Rankings in Maine
Compare the top-ranked Machine Learning programs in Maine by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Machine Learning Programs in Maine
Program Landscape
Maine offers 2 accredited associate's degree programs in machine learning, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Southern Maine Community ..., York County Community Col..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Maine offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $2,880/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $51,876 in Maine.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Maine's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Portland, Bangor, Augusta areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like IDEXX, WEX, Tyler Technologies hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among machine learning schools in Maine, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their machine learning degrees in Maine.
Best Bachelor's Machine Learning Programs in Maine
Program Landscape
Maine ranks among the nation's top destinations for machine learning education, with 7 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 4 public and 3 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Colby College, Bowdoin College, U of Maine, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Maine machine learning programs earn a median salary of $80,172, 18% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Portland, Bangor, Augusta metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including IDEXX, WEX, Tyler Technologies.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $7,650 to $64,304 annually, with an average of $27,828/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 95%, with the highest reaching 99%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Maine's leading technology employers. For students seeking machine learning degrees in Maine, these top-ranked machine learning schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Show all 7 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | Presque Isle, ME | Public | $7,650 | — | 31.4 |
| #7 | University of Maine at Farmington | Farmington, ME | Public | $8,910 | — | 31.2 |
Best Master's Machine Learning Programs in Maine
Program Landscape
Maine offers 1 master's degree programs in machine learning, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Maine, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Maine earn a median salary of $94,320, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Portland, Bangor, Augusta creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with IDEXX, WEX, Tyler Technologies actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $12,000/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Maine's machine learning schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Best Doctoral Machine Learning Programs in Maine
Program Landscape
Maine is home to 1 doctoral programs in machine learning, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of Maine are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Maine PhD holders earning a median of $117,900, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Portland, Bangor, Augusta region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like IDEXX, WEX, Tyler Technologies.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Maine programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing machine learning degrees in Maine, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
Machine Learning Degree Costs & Tuition in Maine
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $22,284/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $55,710/year |
| Community college tuition | $5,571/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $133,704 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $33,426 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Machine Learning Students in Maine
State Aid Programs
Maine residents pursuing machine learning degrees have access to several financial aid resources designed to reduce college costs. The Maine State Grant provides need-based grants up to $1,500 per year for eligible Maine residents, helping offset tuition expenses across the state's public and private institutions. To begin the financial aid process, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at StudentAid.gov, which determines eligibility for federal Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans. These federal programs are available to all qualified students regardless of state residency and can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state and federal aid, many Maine institutions offer institutional scholarships and merit-based awards for strong machine learning students. The University of Maine System, which includes multiple campuses offering machine learning programs, administers various scholarships through the system's financial aid offices. Students should explore both merit scholarships based on academic achievement and need-based institutional aid through their chosen school's financial aid office. For comprehensive information about federal student aid programs, loan options, and state-specific grants, visit StudentAid.gov and the Maine State Grant website. Combining state grants, federal aid, and institutional scholarships can create an affordable pathway to earning a machine learning degree in Maine.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator, Maine
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a machine learning degree in Maine. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a machine learning degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+1064%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,967,896
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$147,619
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Machine Learning Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Maine metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Portland | $104K |
| Bangor | $99K |
| Augusta | $94K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Graduates in Maine
Find machine learning jobs in Maine. These major employers across Maine metro areas are actively hiring machine learning degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Machine Learning Jobs in Portland
MEMachine Learning Jobs in Bangor
METransfer Pathways for Machine Learning Degrees in Maine
State Transfer System
Maine's structured transfer system, Maine Transfer Pathways, enables students to begin machine learning study at one of 8 two-year community and technical colleges before transferring to a four-year institution. Southern Maine Community College, the state's largest producer of associate's-level machine learning completions with 9 graduates annually, offers foundational coursework in programming, algorithms, and introductory machine learning that transfers directly to bachelor's programs (IPEDS). This pathway reduces cost significantly, associate's programs average just $2,880 in tuition, allowing students to complete general education and core computer science prerequisites before pursuing specialized machine learning courses at four-year universities.
How Transfers Work
Transfer students benefit from articulation agreements between Maine's community colleges and 22 four-year institutions, ensuring smooth credit application and reduced time-to-degree. The University of Maine, University of Southern Maine, and Bates College actively recruit transfer students into their bachelor's programs (116 annual completions), with dedicated advising to support the transition (Maine Transfer Pathways). Students completing an associate's degree in machine learning or computer science can enter bachelor's programs as juniors, saving 2 years of tuition and completing their degree in 4 years total. Financial aid continues through transfer. Maine residents qualify for the Maine State Grant (up to $1,500 annually) at both community colleges and four-year institutions. For comparison, explore most affordable programs and related pathways in data science in Maine and computer science in Maine.
Why Pursue a Machine Learning Degree in Maine?
Industry & Workforce
Maine offers a solid foundation for machine learning education with 12 institutions providing programs across all degree levels (IPEDS). The state's network includes 7 bachelor's-granting institutions producing 116 completions annually, alongside 2 associate's programs and 2 master's programs (IPEDS). This diverse educational landscape means students can choose between prestigious liberal arts colleges like Bowdoin and Colby, or more affordable public options like the University of Maine System campuses. The state's 22 four-year institutions create ample opportunity for specialization and research in machine learning and related fields like artificial intelligence in Maine and data science in Maine.
Salary Outlook
Maine's strategic location in New England positions graduates near major tech hubs while maintaining lower tuition costs than peer institutions nationwide. Public in-state tuition averages just $9,067, compared to $21,909 for out-of-state students at four-year institutions (IPEDS). Major employers including MaineHealth, IDEXX Laboratories, and L.L.Bean are headquartered throughout the state, particularly in Portland and Bangor metros, offering internship and career opportunities. Top programs like the University of Maine (52 completions) and Colby College (35 completions) prepare students for roles in data analysis, artificial intelligence, and software engineering. Prospective students should also explore computer science in Maine and data analytics in Maine for complementary career paths.
Machine Learning Program Availability in Maine
Source: IPEDS 2024
Machine Learning Job Market & Salary Data in Maine
Employment Outlook
Maine's machine learning job market is growing steadily, with opportunities concentrated in major metropolitan areas including Portland-South Portland and Bangor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maine's tech sector continues to expand, driven by demand from healthcare, retail, and technology companies establishing operations across the state. The Portland-South Portland metro area serves as the primary technology hub, attracting machine learning professionals and companies seeking talent in data-driven roles. Students completing machine learning programs in Maine have access to a diverse employment landscape, with 116 bachelor's completions recorded in 2023 across 7 institutions, indicating steady pipeline growth to support regional hiring needs.
Salaries by Metro
Job growth in machine learning aligns with Maine's broader technology sector expansion, particularly in data engineering, predictive analytics, and AI development roles. Entry-level positions require bachelor's degrees from programs ranked among National Best Machine Learning Programs, while advanced roles often seek candidates with master's credentials, 2 institutions in Maine offer graduate machine learning programs with 11 completions in 2023. Career prospects improve significantly for graduates from top-ranked schools like the University of Maine, which produced 52 completions in 2023. For detailed salary information and occupational data specific to Maine's technology sector, the College Scorecard provides comprehensive post-graduation earnings data across institutions.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Machine Learning Programs in Maine
Online Programs
3 available in Maine
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Machine Learning Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $15,500
- Total Programs
- 10
- Median Tuition
- $47,300
- Total Programs
- 73
- Median Tuition
- $47,600
- Total Programs
- 179
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 39
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
- Total Programs
- 73
- Median Tuition
- $9,000
- Total Programs
- 119
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
- Total Programs
- 28
- Median Tuition
- $10,100
Machine Learning Degree Programs in Maine: FAQ
What are the best machine learning degree programs in Maine?
How much do machine learning degree programs cost in Maine?
What salary can machine learning degree graduates earn in Maine?
Are there online machine learning degree programs in Maine?
What companies hire machine learning degree graduates in Maine?
Is a machine learning degree program worth it in Maine?
How long do machine learning degree programs take in Maine?
What financial aid is available for machine learning degree students in Maine?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Maine salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.