College tuition fees rose 2.6% in Hancock County in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Data shows that students paid $28,744 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $728 more than the previous school year.
Among the two institutions in the county, the College of the Atlantic stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $44,829. The Maine Maritime Academy followed with an average of $21,838 per year.
At the time, a total of $5.1 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Hancock County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $2.4 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Maritime Academy | 216 | $1,983,019 | $9,181 | 145 | $2,091,463 | $14,424 |
| College of the Atlantic | 93 | $3,151,206 | $33,884 | 49 | $321,156 | $6,554 |
