More UMF Facts

Additional Facts About the University of Maine at Farmington

  • Success After UMF: 91% Employed or in Grad School
    A recent survey of 2010 University of Maine at Farmington graduates found that 91% of those who responded are either employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school.


    In 2011, the University of Maine at Farmington attempted to contact the 328 students who graduated from UMF in May of 2010 to find what they have done since graduating from UMF. The University received 224 responses (68%) from the graduating class.

  • Average Freshman Retention Rate: 73%
    UMF's freshman retention rate (the percentage of first-year students who return the following year) is typically among the highest in the UMaine System, second in 2010.

    UMF's 73% freshman retention rate is better than the national average for four-year public universities (66%) and also better than the national average for four-year private colleges (69%).

    Our 73% freshman retention rate is even stronger when compared to the national average for two-year or community colleges (55%).

  • Average Graduation Rate: 62%
    In 2010 UMF had the highest six-year graduation rate in the UMaine System. UMF has had the highest graduation rate in the System 4 of the past 5 years.

    UMF's 62% graduation rate is significantly better than the national average for four-year public universities (43%) and also better than the national average for four-year private colleges (58%).

  • Percent of Classes with 20 or Fewer Students: 70%
    Percent of Classes with 50 or More Students: .04%
    The University of Maine at Farmington prides itself on small classes where students receive individual attention and ideas are exchanged among people who know each other – by name. Here, you're treated like a person, not a number.

  • Maine's "Teacher of the Year": 4 of the past 5 yrs
    UMF produces the best and brightest teachers. Four of the past five Maine "Teacher of the Year" recipients have been UMF Education graduates. UMF graduates have been named Teacher of the Year in other states, as well (N.H., Vt., to name a few).

  • Faculty Who Have Been Named Fulbright Scholars: 11
    UMF was recognized as a 2012 Fulbright Scholar "top producer" by the Institute of International Education and the Fulbright Program's sponsor, the U.S. Dept. of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Recipients of the prestigious Fulbright award are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14-1
    At UMF, our low student-to-faculty ratio means you'll work closely with your professors. You'll receive personal attention from outstanding faculty. They'll get to know you and you'll get to know them. (This is a good thing!)

  • Percent of Faculty Who Are Full-Time: 87%
    UMF puts an emphasis on hiring full-time faculty to teach. Why? Because we feel that students benefit more from full-time faculty, those who have a passion and dedication for teaching and a keen interest in their students' success. While we use some part-time faculty to teach some classes, the vast majority of UMF classes – even introductory classes – are taught by full-time faculty.

  • Number of Teaching Assistants (grad students who teach classes): 0
    At UMF, we do not use graduate assistants to teach our classes. Here, you'll be taught by faculty members – even in introductory courses. (This is not the case at all universities.)

  • Percent of Full-Time, Degree-Seeking Students Receiving Financial Aid: 90%
    Approximately 90% of all full-time, degree-seeking UMF students receive some form of financial assistance: scholarships, federal aid, merit scholarships, loans, institutional aid, student employment, etc.

  • Passage Rates for Licensure Exams (PRAXIS): 100%
    UMF requires Education students to pass the PRAXIS I licensure exam in order to enroll in upper-level education courses and the PRAXIS II licensure exam in order to student teach and complete their degree program.

  • A Bachelor's Degree Counts More (and earns more)
    To underscore the value of a Bachelor's degree, consider the June 2011 National Unemployment Rate by Educational Attainment (of those aged 25 and over)**
    • Bachelor's degree or higher: 4.4%
    • Associate's degree or some college: 8.4%
    • High school diploma but no college: 10.0%
    • Less than a high school diploma: 14.3%

    Clearly, the correlation between earning a Bachelor's degree and stronger employment opportunities – and earning potential over the course of your life – couldn't be stronger. The key is not running up debt as you earn your Bachelor's degree.

    As Maine's public liberal arts college, the University of Maine at Farmington is the high-quality / high-value alternative to a private liberal arts school.

    ** Data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2011, last modified July 8, 2011.