University of Maine System projects decade-high enrollment

The University of Maine System (UMS) is entering the new academic year with its highest projected enrollment in more than a decade. More than 28,000 students are expected to be enrolled across the system’s seven schools, marking the ninth consecutive semester of enrollment growth and the highest headcount since 2016.

Officials attribute this growth to the system’s focus on affordability, workforce-oriented degrees, and expanded online programs for working adults. The system reports being the most affordable in New England, with 30% of undergraduate students paying no out-of-pocket costs for tuition and fees. While the two largest institutions, the University of Maine in Orono and the University of Southern Maine, show slight decreases in overall enrollment, other schools within the system are seeing record-breaking numbers in specific programs.

Chancellor Dannel Malloy noted that while national demographic trends and changing federal landscapes present financial pressures for public institutions, the UMS is successfully preparing professionals for high-paying careers to strengthen the state’s economy.