BANGOR, Maine — Seven Maine colleges have been named to The Princeton Review’s list of best northeastern colleges, with Bowdoin College in Brunswick listed as having the best quality of life for students in the region.
Bates College of Lewiston, Bowdoin College, Colby College of Waterville, College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, University of Maine in Orono, University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Southern Maine in Gorham were named among the 220 best colleges in 11 northeastern states.
Across the nation, 629 schools were named best regional colleges by The Princeton Review, a New York-based company known for its test preparation, college admission and other educational services. It is not affiliated with Princeton University.
Other geographical regions listed were southeastern, midwestern and western.
“The recognition bestowed upon our campus with this eighth-consecutive Best Northeastern College ranking by the prestigious The Princeton Review, is especially significant because it is a student-based selection,” said University of Maine at Fort Kent President Wilson G. Hess in a statement issued Tuesday. “It serves to showcase what many of us already know — that is UMFK has a dedicated and professional faculty and staff; an engaging student body; and prepares students for careers and a lifetime of learning.”
The Princeton Review’s selections are chosen based on institutional data, school visits by the reviewers, opinions from independent advisers and student experiences based on responses of an 80-question survey. On average, about 125 students per campus were surveyed, according to The Princeton Review’s website.
“[The] Princeton Review nailed it,” said College of the Atlantic President Darron Collins in a statement. “COA students are challenged to think and work beyond their comfort zone by our excellent, passionate and extremely devoted faculty.”
Each of the 629 colleges also was rated in 63 different areas, with only the best or worst 20 listed in each category. The College of the Atlantic was listed eight times in the top — or bottom — 20. Bates and Bowdoin were listed five times, UMaine four times, and Colby three. The University of Southern Maine and University of Maine at Fort Kent did not place in any category.
Students at Maine schools have some of the best food choices in the country, according to The Princeton Review’s report. Bowdoin was voted best campus food in the country, with the College of the Atlantic placing seventh and Bates placing 11th.
Bowdoin students had the best quality of life in the nation, according to the ranking. The school also was second for happiest students and sixth in best college dorms. Bowdoin was also 10th in best-run colleges.
Colby’s professors received high marks, ranking them 10th in the nation. The school was also 13th in most popular study abroad programs.
The University of Maine ranked four times, but all in unflattering statistics. UMaine was listed as the 19th best party school in the country. It also ranked ninth in least happiest students, sixth in least accessible professors and 20th in students that study the least.
Bates and Colby were listed 10th and 14th, respectively, as schools with students who preferred beer over other beverages.
The College of the Atlantic was sixth nationally for most liberal students and 13th for most politically active students. It was listed 14th for encouraging class discussions and ninth in being lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender friendly.
The environmental liberal arts college was apathetic in sports categories, as it ranked second for worst student attendance of games and third in least number of students participating in a sport. COA students also apparently did not rate their library highly, ranking eighth for worst library.
Bates’ home, Lewiston, received negative marks in terms of strained college-city relations (10th) and for students’ grading the college city (12th). However, the institution had the 12th-best college-run radio station.
For information, visit www.princetonreview.com.
Ya with question like do you prefer beer make you wonder .
Only on tuesday, cept if the moon is full on friday
More free advertising for another publication!
Where is Maine Maritime Academy??? One of the best marine engineer colleges in the world!!!!
The Maine Maritime Academy ranked 1st in the firing of administration wives related to the VP of Finance and public affairs for gross malfeasance.
I think she’s referring to the fact that MMA grads actually get jobs. The poor COA kids I deal with on my vessel as fisheries observers had a great time at school. Unfortunately there are no jobs in the marine biology field unless you are a PHD.
One applies to COA for its political science programs. One enrolls at the MMA for its sports and spa facilities. The MMA also ranks #1 in the number of football coaches per student. Six in all.
Well, this one enrolled at MMA for the excellent education I received. You really should see someone about this obsessive fixation/hatred you have for MMA.
Cool doesnt like MMA thats for sure.
Coolfusion is not to fond of taxpayers funded $million GSA conferences in Vegas, $Billions to bailout corrupt Banksters, $Billions Federal stimulus funds funneled to campaign bundlers, $Thousands of Turnpike expenditures and gifts to favorite friends and vendors, $Millions of undisclosed state pension liabilities, Federal ATF AK-47 sales to Mexican gun cartels, Bogus green jobs, Colby College’s chairman of board of trustees connections and the manipulating of international LIBOR rates, $Trillion in deficits, wars based on lies, and Eliot Cutler … either.
Poli Sci? you need to read up on COA, it’s Fishcounter U.
Sports at MMA? They built that foolish football field while I was there only because the money from Alfond could only be used for athletics. Neither I nor any of my friends participated in athletics while we were at MMA, too busy studying. Of course we all have good jobs, and pay some of the highest income tax in the state of Maine.
You obviously have a problem with MMA. It seems that every time a college, any where in the world is mentioned in a story, you chime in with your constant hate. I’m thinking that if there is a problem, it is yours.
Uh, apparently not. Sorry.
In my books it ranks very high. Most of the students who graduate have job offers waiting for them at or before graduation.
Agreed! I also would have thought that Husson would easily make the list- they’ve been so proactive in expanding their programs of study and have done so in many cases without duplicating those of the University of Maine, as was the case with the Pharmacy program. The School of Nursing was the first of its kind to be a joint baccalaureate-level program between a hospital (EMMC) and a private (at that time) college. I was a member of one of the first classes to graduate from that program. I fully expect Husson to eventually be successful in its pursuit of a School of Law.
What about Husson University?
The list is about actual colleges and universities.
And what is that supposed to mean? As a graduate of Husson I am offended by your comment.
Get some thicker skin please.
It is required to post here at the BDN
Not really, USM and these other colleges’ text books are like high school material, not only that but they fall far short of the new global standard of academics.
Wow, some compassion there buddy. What did I expect though? Nothing less than this of course.
It seems that the BDN has a problem that the news of the Maine Maritime Academy’s VP of Finance and public affairs committed suicide last month leaked out, so this comment was removed for review. It figures since the BDN’s owner is on the MMA Board of Trustees.
Are these some of the colleges that our glorious governor says are looked down upon? Every time he opens his mouth, the statements are a little less fact based and a little less intelligent. But hey, in the eyes of the world, he speaks for all of us here in Maine. Nice.
What about the college in Machias? Best place for the under-prepared learner. Must provide excellent service to the 70 or so students they graduate each year.
They didn’t go that far East.
Banjo music scared them off when they were doing their investigation.
Waterville and Lewiston right in Mr. Lepages back yard.
Keep up the great work Mr. LePage…
Kudo’s for getting these 2 colleges in to the power rankings.
I think Princeton has made themselves look uninformed to say the least. Maine Maritime Academy is one of the most top notch colleges out there. Entrance requirements may be “average” , but once in you better bust your A**! Unlike some of the “Ivy” colleges that are hard to get into , but VERY easy to stay there.
What happened to the original story listing UMaine Orono with 4 of the worst grades? # 6 with Unapproachable professors (which I disagree with), #19 as a party school, # 9 is least happiest students, and # 20, least likely to study. Those used to be listed in this article. Where are they now?
I assume that this “The College of the Atlantic was listed eight times in the top — or bottom — 20. Bates and Bowdoin were listed five times, UMaine four times, and Colby three” is now supposed to cover those without being specific anymore. Which doesn’t give credit to the universities who had something to be proud of.