Maine Schools & Education
School quality and education data for all 16 counties.
Avg Graduation Rate
86.1%
Avg Per-Pupil Spending
$9,738
Avg School Score
57/100
Total Schools
597
214 districts
State Overview
About Schools in Maine
Maine Delivers High Performance on Lean Budgets
Maine’s 86.1% graduation rate sits slightly below the 87.0% national average, but the state achieves this with much leaner funding. While the national average per-pupil spend is $13,000, Maine invests just $9,738 per student. Despite the lower budget, Maine's average school score of 57.4 comfortably beats the national median of 50.0.
A Broad Spectrum of Performance Across 16 Counties
Comprehensive data across all 16 counties shows graduation rates fluctuating from a low of 79.7% in Androscoggin to a high of 91.6% in Knox. School scores also vary significantly, ranging from 52.1 to 63.8. These disparities reflect a diverse educational landscape where geography often dictates student outcomes.
Maximizing Returns Despite Lower National Investment
Maine maintains a strong return on investment by keeping graduation rates competitive while spending $3,262 less per pupil than the national average. Even the state's highest spender, Knox County, remains nearly $1,700 below the national spending benchmark while delivering a top-tier 91.6% graduation rate. This efficiency suggests Maine's school systems are highly effective at stretching limited taxpayer dollars.
Knox and Cumberland Set the State Benchmark
Knox County leads the state with a 63.8 school score and the highest graduation rate at 91.6%, fueled by an $11,353 per-pupil investment. Cumberland and Hancock counties follow closely, both surpassing the 87% graduation mark with school scores above 60.0. These three counties represent the peak of Maine's academic performance and financial commitment.
A Resilient System with Coastal Success Hubs
Maine is a strong choice for education, offering school quality that exceeds national norms at a lower cost to taxpayers. Families seeking the best results should focus on coastal counties like Knox and Cumberland where graduation rates and school scores are highest. While inland regions like Piscataquis and Androscoggin show lower metrics, the state average remains robust.
Top Performing School Counties
All Maine Counties
| County | School Score |
|---|---|
| Knox County | 64/100 |
| Cumberland County | 62/100 |
| Hancock County | 60/100 |
| Sagadahoc County | 59/100 |
| York County | 59/100 |
| Waldo County | 59/100 |
| Franklin County | 58/100 |
| Washington County | 58/100 |
| Penobscot County | 57/100 |
| Somerset County | 57/100 |
| Kennebec County | 56/100 |
| Lincoln County | 55/100 |
| Aroostook County | 55/100 |
| Oxford County | 55/100 |
| Androscoggin County | 53/100 |
| Piscataquis County | 52/100 |
— = data pending from NCES pipeline.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.