The University of Maine is no longer ranked as the sole top university in Maine.
UMaine, the state’s flagship public university, is now tied with the University of New England for the 261st best university in the nation, according to new rankings from U.S. News & World Report released Tuesday.
UMaine dropped five spots from 2026, and the Orono campus was ranked 219th in 2023.
UMaine’s ranking drop comes amid a multimillion-dollar shortfall, which university administrators attribute to changes in federal funding, $1 billion in deferred maintenance and uncertainties on future enrollment. That deficit may lead to layoffs.
Gabriel Paquette, provost at UMaine, was not available for comment about the rankings Monday.
The University of New England, a private university in Biddeford, jumped 31 spots to tie UMaine in the national rankings. UNE was one of seven universities to jump by 30 or more spots from their 2026 ranking.
That spike was due to multiple improvements from the university, including test scores, according Sarah Delage, a UNE spokesperson.
“While several factors contributed to this advancement, we are especially encouraged by the improvement in our peer assessment score. Recognition from leaders across higher education reflects growing awareness of UNE’s academic quality, impact, and mission, and reinforces the University’s growing reputation in Maine and beyond,” Delage said.
This was a bounceback year for UNE, which previously came in at No. 260 in 2023.
The University of Southern Maine, a public university in Portland, was the only other university in Maine on the list. It was tied with 40 other schools at No. 382 to No. 422.
The rankings are created through U.S. News’ process, which includes graduation rates, graduate success and affordability, according to the outlet. U.S. News uses up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success for campuses that offer bachelor degrees, are accredited and accept first-year students.
Despite dropping in the overall rankings, UMaine rose two spots to No. 143, the highest of any Maine institution, for best public university. The University of Southern Maine was tied for No. 210 to No. 227 on that list.
UNE tied for No. 120 for top private universities.
Bowdoin, Colby and Bates Colleges all placed within the top 25 private liberal arts colleges in the nation. They ranked third, 19th and 23rd, respectively. College of the Atlantic, a liberal arts college in Bar Harbor, was ranked No. 121.
UMaine, UNE, USM, Bowdoin, Bates and Colby appeared on other lists, including for social mobility, undergraduate computer science programs and writing in the disciplines.