Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Key Highlights

• Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in Portland in 1912
• Current 379-acre campus is on Sebago Lake in Standish
• Offers campus and online study at bachelor's and master's levels
• Current NECHE member with an Institutional Resources notation

Student Life & Environment

Residential life is centered on a small lakeside campus. The college lists five residence halls—Saint Joseph's, Gingras, Cassidy, Cunneen, and Standish—and says admitted students select housing during New Student Orientation. Its housing information also identifies pet-friendly housing, though availability and rules should be confirmed for the intended year. Students deciding between living arrangements should compare residence-hall policies, meal requirements, transportation needs, and the final housing contract rather than relying only on the general campus description. Student Engagement advertises more than 35 clubs, including academic, service, identity, sustainability, performance, and outdoor-interest groups. Student government includes a senate, campus activities board, organizations, and committees. Recreation takes advantage of Sebago Lake and the wider Maine setting, with college-organized events and trips that have included kayaking, skiing, hiking, and visits to Portland venues. Varsity athletes can choose among 22 NCAA Division III teams, while intramural leagues provide a less formal option. The Harold Alfond Center contains a gymnasium, six-lane pool, running track, fitness facilities, a climbing wall, and dance or aerobics space. Spiritual life reflects the college's Catholic identity through Mass and formation opportunities, while a multi-faith room provides space for reflection, meditation, or prayer. Health services and counseling are also identified among campus-life resources.

Location & Surroundings

The campus is at 278 Whites Bridge Road in Standish, Maine, on the shore of Sebago Lake. The setting is rural and outdoors-oriented rather than urban: the college describes a 379-acre property with views toward Mount Washington and the White Mountains. Lake access, nearby trails, and seasonal recreation are meaningful features for students who enjoy kayaking, hiking, skating, or skiing, but Maine winters and a spread-out regional landscape are practical considerations. Portland is the nearest major city. The college places downtown Portland about 15 miles from campus, giving students access to concerts, cultural venues, restaurants, transportation connections, and a larger employment market. Campus programming has included trips to Portland venues, but applicants should not assume frequent public transit or a guaranteed shuttle for ordinary travel; they should ask about current transportation arrangements and consider whether access to a car matters for internships, shopping, or off-campus work. Boston is substantially farther away—approximately two hours by the college's description—so it is better viewed as an occasional regional destination than part of daily student life. The location is likely strongest for students who want a contained residential community with access to both southern Maine's outdoor environment and Portland.

Costs & Career Outcomes

The newest detailed campus cost-of-attendance figures located were for 2025–2026, not 2026–2027. For a full-time student living on campus, the college listed $45,744 in tuition and fees, $15,846 for housing and food, and a total estimated cost of attendance of $64,550 after books, transportation, and personal expenses. Nursing students were assigned an additional $2,640 charge. These figures are historical planning references only; students entering in 2026 should request the final 2026–2027 campus tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meal-plan, insurance, and program charges. For 2025–2026, the college stated that completing an admission application triggered merit-scholarship consideration, with published awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 and renewable for four years. US citizens and eligible noncitizens seeking need-based aid should complete the FAFSA. Actual net cost depends on the individual aid offer, housing choice, and eligibility, so the award letter and billing schedule are more useful than the published sticker price alone. Online pricing is current for 2026–2027 and varies by program. The college lists $414 per credit for general online undergraduate study, with different rates for accelerated nursing and graduate fields. Prospective online students should calculate the full number of credits and supplemental fees rather than compare per-credit rates in isolation. Career preparation includes community-based projects and program-level experiential learning. For May 2026 undergraduate graduates who borrowed federal loans, the college reports average federal debt of $20,565 and says about 80% of that cohort borrowed. That borrower-only measure should not be interpreted as the debt of every graduate. Applicants should ask for recent program-specific internship, licensure, employment, and graduate-school outcomes before judging career value.