More Mainers choose to pursue higher education at UMaine this spring
The University of Maine’s expansion of academic offerings and pathways to success in school and the workforce has resulted in more Mainers choosing to enroll at UMaine this semester than in spring 2024.
In-state enrollment for the spring 2025 semester, which includes new and returning undergraduate and graduate students from Maine, increased by 4.6% from 6,163 in spring 2024 to 6,447, according to the official census data. It follows another semester of in-state enrollment growth in fall 2024, during which the university also welcomed 20.9% more first-year students from Maine than in fall 2023. The current academic year marks the first period of in-state enrollment growth at UMaine since the conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Overall enrollment at UMaine — which includes all undergraduate and graduate students — grew 2.1% this semester from 10,192 in spring 2024 to 10,407. The uptick marks another period of overall enrollment increases achieved by UMaine, which welcomed a higher number of students in fall 2024 than in fall 2023, and the University of Maine System (UMS), which has experienced four-consecutive semesters of growth.
“UMaine’s growing community is a testament to the impactful efforts of our administrators, faculty and staff to broaden our students’ horizons and ensure their success inside and outside the classroom,” said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “For 160 years, we have been serving the people of Maine and beyond by providing opportunity, education and economic mobility to those who seek it. No matter what challenges come our way, our original mission remains the same; we are always exploring new, relevant ways to achieve it.”
Much like in fall 2024, the uptick in spring 2025 is driven primarily by the growth in Mainers pursuing bachelor’s degrees in fields such as mechanical engineering, computer science, psychology and management. Since spring 2024, in-state enrollment for degree-seeking undergraduates grew 6.5% from 4,572 to 4,869.
To better meet student demand and the needs of Maine’s workforce, the university developed new degree programs in popular fields, including bachelor’s degrees in computer science and business and criminal justice and minors in game and design development; sports communications, sports technology and tourism; and hospitality and outdoor recreation. While broadening its offerings, UMaine still remains the most affordable flagship institution within a public university system in New England. UMaine’s FY25 in-state credit hour rate is 40% less than the average cost of the R1 flagships in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut — the states that sent the most students to Maine this fall. UMaine’s -of-state undergraduate credit hour rate is also 25% lower that its peers.
As part of another integrated effort, UMaine and its counterparts across the System have launched services that make it easier for community college students to transfer to a baccalaureate institution. In the past year, the university’s enrollment management team has made it easier for students to navigate the admissions process through faster status updates, expanded deadlines and more robust estimated financial aid packages, all while reducing the impact of nationwide processing delays with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process.
Opportunity anywhere at every level
In addition to gains in undergraduate enrollment, the number of doctoral students enrolled at UMaine also grew 6.7% from 567 in spring 2024 to 605. That ties with the record for doctoral student enrollment established in fall 2024. The year-to-year growth comes as UMaine retained its R1 status — marking it one of the nation’s top research universities determined by number of Ph.D. candidates and overall research activity. Doctoral enrollment growth is driven in part by expanded local, national and international student recruitment efforts led by the Graduate School in recent years.
Another contributing factor to UMaine’s enrollment increase comes from online education. Online student enrollment, offered through UMaine Online, increased 4% from spring 2024 to 2025, including a 13% spike in undergraduate online enrollment.
UMaine Online offers more than 60 programs, including the recently launched online doctorate in engineering technology; new graduate certificates in advanced library and media specialists, athletic administration and teacher leadership; and the joint Finish Strong program between UMaine, UMaine Machias and the University of Maine at Fort Kent that makes it easier for adult learners to complete their degrees.
“We have worked resolutely to make UMaine accessible to all learners — whether online or on campus — while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Our faculty continue to innovate, developing relevant, exciting programs that prepare students to succeed in fulfilling careers upon graduation,” said John Volin, senior vice president of academic affairs and provost.
At UMaine Machias, the rising popularity of online instruction courses has expanded the flexibility and reach of its academic offerings, including marine biology, integrative biology, creative arts, education and outdoor recreation and leadership. As a result, the number of credit hours for all students spiked 23% from spring 2024 to 2025. That includes a 50% jump in credit hours for out-of-state students during the same time period.
“We are very pleased to see this increase in our credit hours,” said Megan Walsh, UMaine Machias dean and campus director. “These numbers are evidence that students recognize the high quality undergraduate courses that we provide both in-person and online.”
Ensuring success at all years of study
Retention, a measure of how well a university supports students and helps them succeed, from the fall to the spring semester has remained steady at 92%. It follows UMaine’s record breaking fall-to-fall retention rate for students transitioning from their first year to their second, made possible by efforts to help learners adjust to college life and succeed academically and socially.
Once they arrive for their first year of study, students have access to support services including peer mentoring and user-friendly online resources that answer questions about financial aid, academic advising and where to find community resources for food, clothing and transportation. UMaine also manages an early alert system to identify and assist first-year students who are at risk.
For juniors and seniors, UMaine and its UMS counterparts statewide are bolstering workforce preparedness and access to post-graduation employment opportunities through Pathways to Careers. This new program offers funding, training and coordination support for internships. Pathways to Careers also helps Maine employers create or enhance their own internship programs to connect to students who could meet their current or future workforce needs.
These new academic offerings and support services are made possible through UMS TRANSFORMS, a multi-year initiative funded by historic investment from the Harold Alfond Foundation that is focused on four key areas, including student success and retention, to better position the University of Maine System to meet the state’s economic needs. UMS TRANSFORMS is supported by a $320 million commitment from the Harold Alfond Foundation.
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu