“Maine's largest private university, with campuses in Biddeford, Portland, and Tangier, Morocco.”
The University of New England (UNE) is Maine's largest private university, tracing its roots to Westbrook Seminary (founded 1831) and St. Francis College (1939). Today UNE enrolls approximately 13,500 students across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online programs, spanning two coastal Maine campuses — a 540-acre Biddeford Campus on the Saco River where it meets the Gulf of Maine, and a Portland Campus in the heart of Maine's largest city — plus a study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco. UNE is the #1 producer of health professionals in Maine and is home to the state's only medical school (the College of Osteopathic Medicine) as well as its only public-health college in the northern New England region. UNE's academic identity is anchored by health sciences and marine sciences. The College of Osteopathic Medicine awards the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and relocated to Portland's new Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences in 2025, joining UNE's other health-professions programs (physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing, and public health) in a single integrated Portland biomedical hub. UNE's College of Arts and Sciences — located on the Biddeford Campus — is recognized as one of the leading US programs for marine biology thanks to its immediate Gulf of Maine shoreline (the fastest-warming body of ocean water in the world), a working marine field station, research vessels, and extensive undergraduate research opportunities in a tide-swept, coastal ecosystem. UNE is test-free for general admission, reviewing applicants holistically based on high school coursework, essays, and recommendations rather than SAT/ACT scores. International applicants must submit an English-proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE) unless they qualify for a waiver. UNE is a New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredited, SEVP-certified F-1 institution offering automatic merit scholarships to incoming international undergraduates, a dedicated Global Education team for visa and immigration support, and the distinct advantage of being Brookings Institution's #1 Maine college for increasing career earnings.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Research Activity
Carnegie Classifications (2021)
Test Free — No test scores needed — they won't be reviewed even if submitted.
Official SourceEarly Action (non-binding)
Admission decision by January 15
Regular Decision
Applications after February 15 reviewed on a space-available basis
This university does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$44,210
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
4 years
One of the most celebrated undergraduate marine-biology programs in the US, leveraging UNE's direct Gulf of Maine shoreline, the Marine Science Center, a research vessel fleet, and field experiences in Tangier, Morocco; prepares students for research, conservation, policy, and graduate study.
4 years
Maine's only medical school, producing more primary-care physicians for Maine than any other institution. In 2025 the program moved to the Alfond Center for Health Sciences on the Portland Campus, joining UNE's full health-professions cohort.
2 years
Highly selective 24-month PA program with clinical rotations across Maine and northern New England; consistently strong PANCE pass rates and direct placement into primary-care and specialty practice.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $44,210
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
