Presque Isle, MEpublicwww.umpi.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 97%–100% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is a small, public liberal arts college in northern Maine known for its open admissions policy, personalized learning approach, and affordability. With a 97% acceptance rate and a focus on career-ready programs like Business, Healthcare Administration, and Physical Education, UMPI attracts students seeking a tight-knit, low-debt education in a rural setting. While graduation rates lag behind national averages, its low net price and strong financial aid make it a practical choice for budget-conscious learners.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
UMPI is one of the most accessible four-year colleges in the U.S., with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 97% to 100% across sources. The school practices open admissions—neither SAT nor ACT scores are required or recommended, and high school GPA is the primary academic factor considered. With no strict application deadline, UMPI caters to non-traditional and First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students, though decent grades in college-prep courses are advised. The lack of selectivity reflects its mission to serve northern Maine’s rural population.
UMPI offers 22 bachelor’s degrees (with 18 concentrations) and , emphasizing flexibility and career preparation. Standout programs include:
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
The curriculum leans practical, with 40 minors and 5 certificates (e.g., Information Systems) allowing students to stack credentials. Small class sizes and a personalized learning model—touted as a cost-saving alternative to traditional credit-hour systems—are central to UMPI’s appeal.
Life at UMPI revolves around its residential campus in remote Presque Isle (population ~9,000), where winters are long and off-campus entertainment is sparse. The university compensates with:
With no Greek life, camaraderie centers on dorm life and intramurals. The administration actively promotes community-building to combat isolation.
UMPI’s 4-year graduation rate is just 35.5% (24.4% for Pell recipients), ranking in the bottom 20% nationally. However, 86% of 2022 graduates secured employment or further education within six months—on par with pre-pandemic rates. Other key data:
The university highlights its role in uplifting First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and low-income Mainers, even if outcomes lag elite schools. Recent commencement ceremonies saw 550+ graduates, suggesting persistence pays off for many.
UMPI markets itself as one of the Northeast’s most affordable public colleges, with 83% of students receiving aid. Key figures:
Notably, UMPI ranks among top schools for low graduate debt ($19.5k average vs. $33k nationally). Scholarships target academic merit, leadership, and local residency, with dedicated aid for returning adult learners.
UMPI’s hyper-accessibility and rural resilience set it apart. It’s a school for:
While not a fit for seekers of urban vibrancy or prestige, UMPI delivers practical degrees with minimal debt—a rare combo in New England.