Biddeford, MEprivate nonprofitune.edu
Admit rate has ranged 84%–96% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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 New England (UNE) is a health sciences powerhouse with a laid-back coastal Maine vibe, offering a rare blend of rigorous professional programs and a supportive, tight-knit undergraduate experience. With an acceptance rate hovering around 92%, UNE attracts students drawn to its standout medical, dental, and therapy programs, while its 41-acre Biddeford campus—just minutes from Portland—provides the quintessential New England college setting. Though pricey at $66K sticker price, 70% of students receive financial aid, and the school boasts a 61% graduation rate—above average for its peer group.
Test-blind — scores not considered
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
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.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
UNE is decidedly not selective, with a 91.6% acceptance rate (4,543 admits from 4,958 applications in 2024). The school employs a test-blind policy, ignoring SAT/ACT scores entirely—a boon for strong-GPA students with middling test results. Admitted freshmen typically sport a 3.50 high school GPA, and 95% opt to live on campus. Applications are due February 15, with no Early Decision pressure.
UNE’s academic identity orbits around health professions—its medical, dental, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs are regional magnets. Undergraduces choose from 40+ bachelor’s degrees, with popular majors including:
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.
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.
Small classes and accessible professors—many Fulbright scholars or active researchers—define the experience. One 5-year part-time student praised the 'excellent support systems' and robust online platforms for hybrid learners.
Life at UNE’s Biddeford campus (41 acres, 10 minutes from Portland) skews residential and cozy—68% live on campus, and 92% report feeling 'extremely safe.' Descriptions like 'caring and inclusive culture where no one slips through the cracks' suggest a deliberately nurturing environment. The coastal location means ocean views and easy access to Portland’s food and music scene, while the suburban setting keeps undergrad life self-contained. Expect hiking clubs, not Greek life.
UNE’s 61% graduation rate lands it in the top 45% nationally, outperforming many peers with similar admissions profiles. Early-career alumni earn ~$41K annually—middling but expected given the mix of high-earning health grads and lower-paying liberal arts degrees. The school touts 'high graduate employment rates' and 'impressive licensure exam pass rates,' particularly in clinical fields, and recently earned national recognition for student success metrics.
At $66,410 total cost, UNE isn’t cheap—but 70% of students receive financial aid, slashing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $38,675. The aid package average is $31,722, suggesting substantial grant support. A $1,040/semester general service fee kicks in at 7+ credits. Prospective students should use UNE’s Net Price Calculator (the school warns estimates aren’t binding) to gauge real costs.
UNE delivers a goldilocks formula: the rigor of a health-professional school (with direct pipelines to its own grad programs) paired with the undergrad vibe of a small New England college. Its test-blind policy and 91.6% acceptance rate make it accessible, while clinical program reputations attract ambitious students. The coastal Maine setting—close enough to Portland for culture, far enough for starry nights—is icing on the lobster roll.