Maine College Towns: A Blend of Academia, Culture, and Community
Maine, known as "Vacationland," boasts a landscape rich with mountains, islands, beaches, and rocky cliffs, complemented by a vibrant food, arts, and culture scene. Within this picturesque state, several towns stand out for their unique blend of academic institutions and thriving community life. These "college towns" offer a distinctive charm, where the presence of a college or university shapes the local culture and economy. While there's no strict definition of a college town, the concept revolves around a town where a college or university plays a central role in the community, and the student population constitutes a significant portion of the residents.
Brunswick: A Symbiotic Relationship with Bowdoin College
Brunswick, located on the banks of the Androscoggin River, embodies the essence of a Maine college town. Incorporated in 1739, Brunswick's history is intertwined with fishing, lumber, and shipbuilding, which shaped the region's early economy. Its strategic location between Portland and the mid-coast communities has been vital to Maine's development since its statehood in 1820. Today, Brunswick's well-preserved architecture and thriving commercial scene reflect its enduring legacy of industry and enterprise.
A central part of Brunswick's continued success is its identity as one of the best college towns. An accolade earned through a mix of academics, culture, and community engagement. The town's claim to academic fame is due to its being home to Bowdoin College, one of America's best private liberal arts colleges, and a highly respected institution that attracts scholars from far and wide. Since the college's establishment in the late 18th century, the town has witnessed a steady influx of students, each adding fresh perspectives and economic benefits. And for its part, Brunswick continues to provide a safe, secure, and prosperous community in which they can thrive.
Bowdoin College: A Cornerstone of Brunswick
Bowdoin College, established in 1794 under the charter of the General Court of Massachusetts (when Maine was still part of that state), is named after James Bowdoin II, a wealthy Boston merchant and supporter of higher education. Brunswick was chosen for its coastal setting, accessibility, and growing commercial district, making it an ideal location for a new center of learning in northern New England.
Classes began in 1802 with just eight students, but enrollment steadily increased as Bowdoin's reputation for a top-notch liberal arts curriculum grew. Early strengths included classical studies, theology, and mathematics, which laid the groundwork for many of the nation's earliest intellectual leaders. Among these were Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the celebrated 19th-century poet, who graduated in 1825 and later returned as a professor of modern languages. Longfellow played a key part in establishing the college’s academic reputation. Other notable alumni from the college’s early years include Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of such classic novels as The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables (he graduated alongside Longfellow in 1825); and Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. Today, Bowdoin's expanded range of majors sees alumni succeeding in areas including government, environmental studies, and neuroscience, cementing its reputation as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
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Bowdoin's location in Brunswick, a town of 22,000 people referred to as the "Gateway to Maine's Mid Coast," places it at the heart of a community that values scholarship and outreach. The campus layout reflects this connection, with much of the college just a short walk from downtown Brunswick. From humble beginnings, Bowdoin has grown to an annual enrollment of over 1,800 undergraduates. Though relatively small compared to other college towns in New England, this student body has a profound impact on Brunswick's economy and is one of the state's largest employers, contributing millions of dollars annually in wages, local purchases, and student spending.
The Cultural and Economic Impact of Bowdoin
The college's impact extends beyond financial benefits. Annual events such as the Commencement ceremony draw thousands of visitors who patronize local hotels, restaurants, and shops. Student volunteer groups connect the campus to the community through tutoring programs, food drives, and partnerships with local nonprofits.
Visitors will notice the college's influence throughout the town. During football season, crowds gather at Whittier Field to cheer on the Polar Bears, and local establishments fill up before and after games. Musical performances, lectures, and workshops are frequent and often free, adding a steady stream of cultural offerings.
Even if you're not a student, Bowdoin's campus offers plenty to explore. Highlights include the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, housed in the Walker Art Building, with collections spanning ancient artifacts to contemporary works. The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, named after explorers Robert E. Peary (Class of 1877) and Donald B. MacMillan (Class of 1898), features exhibits and artifacts portraying Arctic exploration. The Maine State Music Theatre stages professional productions in the Bowdoin’s Pickard Theater, bringing Broadway-caliber talent to town. The Bowdoin College Chapel, with its elegant architecture and stained-glass windows, hosts concerts and ceremonial events. The heart of campus is its lovely Quad, a park-like green space covering 97 of the college’s 207 acres, featuring centuries-old pine trees and historic buildings like Memorial Hall, Massachusetts Hall, and Coles Tower.
Beyond Bowdoin: Exploring Brunswick
While Bowdoin forms the town’s academic core, Brunswick offers much more. Downtown Brunswick features shops and galleries, including Gulf of Maine Books, a popular haunt for students and literary enthusiasts since 1979. Book lovers should also visit the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, where Stowe wrote parts of Uncle Tom’s Cabin while her husband taught at the college.
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For outdoor activities, the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path offers a gentle 3-mile ride with river views. Canoeing or kayaking along the river provides a glimpse into the town's early history. Brunswick offers hotels and inns within easy reach of the college, including The Brunswick Hotel & Tavern. Popular eateries include Wild Oats Bakery & Café, known for its homemade soups, sandwiches, and pastries.
Bowdoin College and Brunswick share a unique and symbiotic relationship that has enriched Maine’s history for over two centuries. The college has not only provided a place where intellectual pursuits and community cultural events mesh together, it has also brought enormous economic opportunities along with it. Whether you’re a prospective student scouting your next educational step, an alumnus returning to walk the Quad, a local resident looking for things to do, or a traveler seeking an authentic taste of Maine hospitality, Brunswick, the best college town in the state, certainly delivers. Strollable streets lined with boutiques. Bustling coffee shops and energetic sidewalk patios. And a vibrant arts scene with independent galleries, theater productions and film screenings. Start your visit with Brunswick. This picturesque town is a nationally designated Main Street Community featuring a thriving downtown filled with shops, diverse restaurants and galleries, and a village green hosting a seasonal farmers’ market. Everything is within walking distance of the beautiful Bowdoin College campus, including the campus highlight, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art. The museum, open to the public with free admission, is one of nine art museums on the Maine Art Museum Trail, and features 25,000 objects created over 5,000 years by artists from around the world. Also on Bowdoin’s campus is the Pickard Theater, home to the Maine State Music Theater, bringing professional theater to MidCoast Maine.
Other Notable Maine College Towns
While Brunswick holds a special place, other Maine towns also offer vibrant college experiences:
Waterville: A Revitalized Community
Waterville, home to Colby College and Thomas College, is a lively town with several restaurants, retail shops, and the new Lockwood Hotel, thanks to downtown revitalization efforts led by Colby College. The Colby College Museum of Art, part of the Maine Art Museum Trail, houses an outstanding collection emphasizing American and contemporary art. The Maine Film Center and Railroad Square Cinema is the state’s only Sundance Art House Project cinema.
Waterville is a safe, welcoming community of 15,600 residents located on the scenic Kennebec River, which runs alongside Thomas College. Here you’ll find the town Waterville Opera House, Thomas College, Colby College, the Redington Museum, community and farmers’ markets, and the Railroad Square Cinema. The town plays host to an international film festival, the annual Taste of Greater Waterville culinary event, and numerous arts and cultural events throughout the year. The downtown district has many excellent restaurants, shopping areas, art galleries, coffee shops, and student-friendly cafés. Greater Waterville has a variety of outdoor recreation areas, including the Pine Ridge Golf Course and trails for hiking and biking. Thomas students take advantage of Maine’s natural beauty through organized and casual trips for hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, downhill and cross-country skiing, sailing, whale-watching, hunting, bird-watching, rock climbing and other outdoor activities. Waterville is located a little more than an hour from Maine’s biggest city, Portland, which offers students many opportunities for entertainment, internships, and field trips. We’re also close to metropolitan areas including Lewiston/Auburn, Bangor, and Augusta, the state’s capitol city.
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Orono: Home of the Black Bears
Orono, home to the University of Maine’s largest campus, is a small town with big entertainment options. Sports lovers can cheer on the U Maine Black Bears, and the school colors of black and blue wave proudly throughout town. The large, spacious campus is perfect for a stroll and a visit to the Hudson Museum, the Versant Power Astronomy Center, or a performance at the Collins Center for the Arts.
Farmington: Gateway to the Western Mountains
Farmington, home to the University of Maine Farmington (UMF), is a four-season destination and the gateway to the western mountains. Visitors can explore Farmington by taking the self-guided historic walking tour of the downtown area and campus.
Factors Defining a Top College Town
CollegeSnacks, a brand under HomeSnacks, recently ranked Maine's best college towns based on factors such as student population percentage, graduation rates, tuition costs, and safety. They focused exclusively on cities with a four-year college, evaluating data from sources like OpenStreetMaps and the College Scorecard. Each town was scored and ranked in multiple categories, with the average rank determining the overall winner.
Maine's Diverse Higher Education Landscape
Beyond the highlighted towns, Maine is home to a diverse range of colleges and universities, each contributing to the unique character of its host community:
- Bates College (Lewiston): The first co-educational college in New England, founded by abolitionists to promote civil rights and access to higher education.
- Colby College (Waterville): Offers a liberal arts education with more than 50 majors and attracts students and faculty from around the world.
- University of Maine (Orono): The state’s largest public college, known for its research emphasis and Division I hockey team.
- University of Maine at Presque Isle: Offers liberal arts and professional programs in northern Maine.
- University of Maine at Machias: Provides an education grounded in environmentally focused liberal arts.
- University of Maine at Fort Kent: Offers undergraduate degrees emphasizing the challenges facing rural American communities and the Franco-American and Acadian heritage of the area.
- University of Maine at Farmington: Maine’s first public institution of higher learning, offering pre-professional courses and a traditional liberal arts education.
- University of Maine at Augusta: Has campuses in Augusta and Bangor, as well as satellite campuses and learning centers across the state.
- University of Southern Maine (Lewiston, Gorham, Portland): Offers baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees in various fields.
- Maine Maritime Academy (Castine): A specialized institution focused on maritime education and training.
Maine is also home to several community and vocational colleges offering associate’s degrees or certificates in technical or vocational fields, as well as programs that prepare students to enter four-year colleges.
