The Best Bachelor's in Business Administration Programs in Maine for 2027
Key Points: Best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine
- Husson University ranks #1 in Maine on a 76.1 Program Score, with a 59% graduation rate.
- University of New England graduates the most students on this list (68%), from #4.
- The hardest to get into is University of Southern Maine (#3), which admits 79% of applicants.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, University of Maine at Presque Isle, ranks #5.
- Programs analyzed
- 7
- In-state tuition range
- $7,800-$44,120
- Average graduation rate
- 52%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $105,770
The best business administration programs in Maine range from a $7,800-a-year public option to a $44,120-a-year private college, and picking the wrong one can cost you tens of thousands of dollars without moving your career any further. This ranking scores 7 programs across the state on graduation rate, admission selectivity, cost, and outcomes data pulled from IPEDS, the same federal source colleges themselves report to. The average graduation rate across these seven programs is 52%, which tells you upfront that finishing on time is not guaranteed anywhere, public or private.
If cost is your main constraint, University of Maine at Presque Isle is the strongest low-cost pick among the best business administration programs in Maine: $7,800 in-state tuition, a 52% graduation rate, and a Program Score of 65.4, well ahead of the other public school charging the same price. This guide breaks down what a business administration degree actually costs, what accreditation to look for, and where a BBA leads after graduation, so you can compare programs on more than sticker price.
The Top Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine at a Glance
Husson leads at 76.1, and Maine at Augusta closes the chart at 60.8. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine Are Scored
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 7 Best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine, Ranked for 2027
The 7 best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine, ranked by outcomes.
Husson University
Bangor, ME · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 59%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state
- $22,072
- Out-of-state
- $22,072
Husson University charges the same $22,072 tuition to every student, in state or out, and lets accelerated students stack a full MBA onto their BSBA in as little as five years.
- Program Score 76.1, #1 in Maine
- $22,072 flat tuition, in state or out
- 59% graduation rate
- Dual BSBA/MBA in as little as 5 years
Husson University's School of Business and Management runs a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration built around a broad, IACBE-accredited foundation with three specialized tracks layered on top: Small Business Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, and Experience Management, the school's name for its hospitality, tourism, and event-management concentration. Students who want to move faster can enter the dual BSBA/MBA path and finish both degrees in as little as five years.
Husson ranks #1 in Maine on the Program Score, 76.1, built on an 81% admit rate, a 59% graduation rate, and a flat $22,072 tuition charged to every student, in state or out, across an enrollment of 3,367. That flat rate matters most for students recruiting from outside Maine, since Husson charges them the same price as residents rather than the two-to-three times markup common at public schools. The school cites BLS projections of 886,600 annual openings in business and financial occupations through 2035, with a median salary over $80,000 in 2024 and finance and management-analysis roles clearing $100,000.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 66%
- Admit rate
- 84%
- In-state
- $44,120
- Out-of-state
- $44,120
More than 80% of Saint Joseph's business majors land an internship, on a campus that graduates 66% of its 1,454 students.
- Program Score 74.3, #2 in Maine
- 66% graduation rate
- 84% admit rate
- 80%+ of students complete a business internship
Saint Joseph's College of Maine offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and business and sport management. Faculty advise students from their first day on campus, and the school reports that more than 80% of its business majors complete an internship, often at the same organization that later hires them. The program also states it prepares students for professional certifications such as the CPA exam, and offers an accelerated path into the school's MBA.
Saint Joseph's ranks #2 in Maine with a Program Score of 74.3, on a 66% graduation rate and an 84% admit rate, at a small campus of 1,454 students. Tuition is a flat $44,120 for every student, in state or out, which is $22,048 more per year than Husson's flat rate, a gap that adds up to roughly $88,000 over four years. That premium fits students who want a smaller campus, close faculty mentorship, and a defined concentration menu, and who are prepared to pay a private-college sticker price for it.
University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME · Public
- Grad rate
- 40%
- Admit rate
- 79%
- In-state
- $9,180
- Out-of-state
- $27,030
University of Southern Maine's AACSB-accredited business degree costs $9,180 in state versus $27,030 out of state, a 194% premium that makes it the biggest in/out tuition gap of any ranked Maine program.
- AACSB accredited
- $9,180 in-state tuition, third-lowest on this list
- 7,604 total enrollment, largest program ranked
- 40% graduation rate
The University of Southern Maine's School of Business, AACSB accredited, runs its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through a Management major taught in blended and in-person formats. The curriculum covers strategic thinking, organizational behavior, human resources, and business ethics, backed by an internship program that places students with more than 200 regional businesses and organizations, plus an Accelerated Graduate Pathway that lets qualified students roll straight into the MaineMBA.
USM ranks #3 in Maine with a Program Score of 73, on a 79% admit rate and a 40% graduation rate, the second-lowest completion rate among Maine's ranked programs, behind UMA's 27%. Its edge is price: $9,180 in-state tuition against $27,030 out of state, a gap of $17,850, meaning out-of-state students pay 194% more than Maine residents. At 7,604 students, USM is also by far the largest program on this list. It fits Maine residents chasing an AACSB credential at the state's lowest sticker price, though the 40% graduation rate is worth weighing against Husson's 59% or UNE's 68%.
University of New England
Biddeford, ME · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 92%
- In-state
- $42,650
- Out-of-state
- $42,650
University of New England admits 92% of applicants yet still graduates 68% of them, the highest completion rate of any ranked business program in Maine.
- 68% graduation rate, highest in the Maine ranking
- 92% admit rate
- $42,650 flat tuition
- 8 concentrations including health sector management and international business
University of New England's College of Business runs a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration built for cross-disciplinary use: students pick from concentrations including accounting, finance, marketing, management, economics, entrepreneurship, international business, and health sector management, or design their own. The interdisciplinary framing carries through the curriculum, applying business thinking to health and environmental fields, backed by a Makerspace for prototyping, multiple internship placements, and an Honors Program built around faculty-directed research.
UNE ranks #4 in Maine with a Program Score of 72.4, on a 92% admit rate, and a 68% graduation rate, the highest completion rate among Maine's ranked business programs. Tuition is a flat $42,650 for all 6,573 students, in state or out, about $20,578 more per year than Husson's flat rate, or roughly $82,000 over four years. That combination, near-open admission plus the best completion odds on this list, fits students who want a wide concentration menu without a competitive application, if they can absorb the private tuition.
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME · Public
- Grad rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 100%
- In-state
- $7,800
- Out-of-state
- $13,260
University of Maine at Presque Isle accepts every applicant and still charges just $7,800 a year in state for a Business Administration degree built around six concentrations, from accounting to outdoor recreation.
- 100% admit rate
- $7,800 in-state tuition
- 52% graduation rate
- HyFlex 'OnLive' format with 6 concentrations
The University of Maine at Presque Isle delivers its Business Administration degree through a HyFlex "OnLive" model: every class meets in person and online at the same scheduled time, so students choose week to week how they attend. The core curriculum covers accounting, finance, written and oral communication, organizational behavior, marketing, change management, human resource management, project management, information systems, and entrepreneurship, and students layer on one of six concentrations: Accounting, Leadership, Marketing, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, or Outdoor Recreation. Classes run Monday through Thursday, and the program pairs coursework with internships and hands-on projects in business operations, finance, and marketing.
UMPI's Program Score of 65.4 ranks it #5 among Business Administration programs in Maine. The program admits 100% of applicants, making it the most accessible option on this list, and graduates 52% of its students, ahead of UMA's 27% and just behind Thomas College's 54%. In-state tuition is $7,800 a year; out-of-state students pay $13,260, still the lowest out-of-state rate among Maine's ranked programs. That combination, open admission plus a sub-$8,000 in-state price, fits students who want a flexible, low-cost path into business with a concentration few other Maine schools offer: Outdoor Recreation.
Thomas College
Waterville, ME · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 96%
- In-state
- $30,718
- Out-of-state
- $30,718
Thomas College packs its Business Administration degree into a 121-credit curriculum with a 3-year completion option, backed by the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation, for a flat $30,718 a year whether you live in Maine or not.
- 54% graduation rate
- 96% admit rate
- $30,718 flat tuition, in-state or out
- 121 credit hours with a 3-year option
Thomas College's BS in Business Administration blends liberal arts with core business training aimed at leadership roles: executive management, departmental leadership, school administration, and nonprofit leadership and management. The degree runs 121 credit hours with a 3-year completion option, and students take key courses in leadership, managerial accounting, interpersonal relations, business ethics, and innovation, change and agile organizations. The Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation adds innovation challenges, workshops and seminars, memberships in Phi Beta Lambda and the Society for Advancement of Management, an Entrepreneurial Club, and one-on-one mentorship, alongside required internships.
Thomas College's Program Score of 63.4 places it #6 in Maine. It graduates 54% of students, the median graduation rate among Maine's seven ranked programs, and admits 96% of applicants. Tuition is a flat $30,718 a year for every student, in-state or out, nearly four times UMPI's in-state price and roughly 2.3 times its out-of-state price. That premium buys a faster, three-year completion track and a smaller campus (1,635 total enrollment, well under UMA's 4,412), which fits students prioritizing graduation rate and a compressed timeline over the lowest sticker price.
University of Maine at Augusta
Augusta, ME · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 27%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $7,800
- Out-of-state
- $21,090
University of Maine at Augusta runs its Business Administration degree online plus in Augusta and Bangor for the same $7,800 in-state price as UMPI, spanning five credentials from an associate degree to a post-bachelor's in accounting.
- $7,800 in-state tuition
- 27% graduation rate
- Fully online plus Augusta and Bangor campuses
- 5 credential levels, from associate to post-bachelor's
The University of Maine at Augusta offers Business Administration across five credential levels: an Associate of Science in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science with an Accounting major, a BS with a Management major, a Post-Baccalaureate BS in Business Administration, and a Post-BSBA in Accounting. Coursework is available in Augusta, in Bangor, at UMA's centers, and fully online, and it builds communication skills (public speaking, supervising and training others, writing reports), technical skills (spreadsheets, information systems, financial statements, tax computation), quantitative skills (statistics, budgeting, forecasting), and analytical skills (cost/benefit evaluation, investment decisions, market dynamics).
UMA's Program Score of 60.8 ranks it #7 in Maine. Its graduation rate of 27% trails both UMPI (52%) and Thomas College (54%) by a wide margin, a tradeoff worth weighing against its flexibility. In-state tuition matches UMPI at $7,800 a year, but out-of-state students pay $21,090, well above UMPI's $13,260. At 4,412 students, UMA is larger than Husson, Thomas College, and Saint Joseph's, though smaller than USM's 7,604 and UNE's 6,573. It fits Maine residents who need a fully online or multi-campus option and want a choice between an accounting-focused and a management-focused bachelor's track, or a faster associate-degree entry point, more than it fits students chasing the highest completion odds.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine
The median school on this list graduates 54% of its students. The highest rates belong to University of New England (68%) and Saint Joseph's College of Maine (66%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.
- #4 University of New England68% graduation rate
- #2 Saint Joseph's College of Maine66% graduation rate
- #1 Husson University59% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine?
On this list, 1 of 7 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Every school here that reports an admit rate takes at least half of its applicants; the median is 88%.
- #3 University of Southern Maine79% admitted
- #1 Husson University81% admitted
- #2 Saint Joseph's College of Maine84% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine
This list holds 3 public and 4 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 65.4 public and 73.3 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Campus Size Across the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,454 at Saint Joseph's College of Maine to 7,604 at University of Southern Maine. Of the 7, 5 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Maine Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Husson UniversityHusson | $62,059 | $22,146 |
| #2 | Saint Joseph's College of MaineSaint Joseph's College of Maine | $70,318 | $29,029 |
| #3 | University of Southern MaineSouthern Maine | $65,230 | $14,927 |
| #4 | University of New EnglandNew England | $61,240 | $38,617 |
| #5 | University of Maine at Presque IsleMaine at Presque Isle | $50,411 | $10,972 |
| #6 | Thomas CollegeThomas College | $52,490 | $23,739 |
| #7 | University of Maine at AugustaMaine at Augusta | $50,348 | $9,721 |
Graduates of Saint Joseph's College of Maine earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $70,318; the lowest figure here is $50,348 at Maine at Augusta.
Husson, the highest-ranked of these schools (#1), comes in at $62,059.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $9,721 a year at Maine at Augusta to $38,617 at New England.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What Bachelor's in Business Administration Programs Cost in Maine
Tuition among these programs runs from $7,800 to $44,120 a year, a $36,320 gap that has nothing to do with how good the teaching is and everything to do with who is paying for it. University of Maine at Presque Isle and University of Maine at Augusta both sit at the $7,800 floor, the in-state rate at Maine's public university system. Saint Joseph's College of Maine sits at the top, $44,120 a year, more than five times the public rate.
The math matters here. Four years at $7,800 a year comes to $31,200 in tuition before any aid. Four years at $44,120 a year comes to $176,480, a $145,280 difference for degrees that lead into the same national job market. The BLS puts the median wage for business and management occupations at $105,770 a year; that figure is identical no matter which of these seven programs you compare, so a cheaper program does not cap your earning power.
That is why University of Maine at Presque Isle stands out among the best business administration programs in Maine for anyone counting dollars: a 65.4 Program Score, a 52% graduation rate, and the lowest tuition in the ranking. University of Maine at Augusta charges the identical $7,800 but graduates only 27% of students, the lowest completion rate in the ranking, so the sticker price alone does not tell the full story.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Is There a Licensing Exam for a Business Administration Bachelor's Degree?
A business administration degree does not lead to a state license the way nursing or accounting can. There is no national licensing board for a general management degree, and none of the seven programs in this ranking require students to pass a field exam before they graduate. That is different from accounting, where the path to a CPA license runs through a standalone exam most programs do not prepare you for directly.
What that means in practice: employers weigh your school's accreditation, your GPA, and your internships to judge a business administration degree, not a licensing number. If you already know you want to sit for the CPA exam, look for a program that lets you stack the required accounting credit hours; a general BBA usually will not clear that bar on its own. For everyone else, the absence of a licensing exam is not a red flag. It just means the burden of proof shifts to accreditation and outcomes, which is exactly what the Program Score measures.
Why AACSB Accreditation Matters for a Business Degree
Accreditation is the one factor this ranking cannot pull from IPEDS, which is exactly why it is worth a close look before you pick from the best business administration programs in Maine. The single accreditation worth checking is AACSB accreditation. AACSB is a specialized business-school accreditor, separate from the regional accreditation every college needs just to hand out federal financial aid. Regional accreditation confirms the school is a real institution; AACSB accreditation confirms the business faculty, curriculum, and outcomes meet a peer-reviewed standard specific to business programs.
Not every accredited college holds AACSB status, and it is worth confirming directly with the admissions office before you apply, since accreditation status can change and is not part of the IPEDS fields used to build this ranking. A degree from an AACSB-accredited program tends to carry more weight with recruiters at larger employers, particularly if you plan to apply to an MBA program later that screens for accredited undergraduate coursework.
Bachelor's Degree vs. Other Business Degree Levels
This ranking focuses on the Bachelor's degree because that is where the overwhelming majority of business programs in Maine enroll students, and it is the level with enough IPEDS data, on graduation rate, admissions, and cost, to compare fairly across public and private schools. All seven schools in this ranking report Bachelor's-level outcomes.
Alternatives exist. An Associate degree in business gets you into entry-level roles faster and cheaper, typically two years instead of four, but it caps out below most management titles. A Master's, usually an MBA, sits on top of the Bachelor's rather than replacing it; most MBA programs expect a completed bachelor's degree and a few years of work experience before you apply. If you are choosing your first business administration degree, the BBA is the more common and more flexible starting point, and it is what every program in this ranking is built around.
Online Programs and Accelerated Paths
Online programs have become a standard option, not a niche one, especially at private nonprofit colleges that serve working adults alongside traditional undergraduates. Several of the private schools in this ranking, the kind posting $22,072 to $44,120 in sticker tuition, built their enrollment around exactly that adult, part-time student, so ask directly whether the program you are considering offers evening, hybrid, or fully online coursework.
An accelerated format can shave a year or more off a four-year business administration degree by stacking courses back to back instead of running two 15-week semesters a year, but it demands a heavier weekly course load. Online and accelerated paths fit best if you are already working, need a fixed schedule, or are transferring in credit from a prior Associate degree. Not every program on this list published online-specific numbers we could independently verify through IPEDS, so treat format as a question for admissions, not a ranking factor here.
- #1 Husson UniversityBangor, ME
- #2 Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish, ME
- #7 University of Maine at AugustaAugusta, ME
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Business Administration Salary and Career Outlook
Graduates of business programs move into a wide range of management and operations roles, and the government tracks pay for that broad category rather than for one specific job title. The BLS Occupational Outlook for management occupations puts the national median wage at $105,770 a year. That figure applies across the field, not to any one school on this list, so treat it as the national backdrop against which every business administration degree here competes, not a promise tied to a specific diploma.
Titles that a BBA commonly leads to include operations manager and general manager, and after a few years of experience, roles the BLS tracks separately under top executives. Detailed wage data by metro area and industry is available through BLS OEWS data. None of the seven programs in this ranking publish their own graduate salary figures at the school level, which is exactly why the national BLS numbers, not a marketing claim from one college, are the right benchmark to hold every business administration program against.