Maine has 9 ranked bachelor's HR programs, led by the University of Maine (score: 60.4/100, 151 graduates/year, $12,000 tuition) and University of Southern Maine (52.5/100, 83 graduates, $8,316 tuition). Maine's employment law framework is the most protective in New England: PFML benefits launch May 1, 2026; the anti-strikebreaker law (26 M.R.S.A. 851-856) prohibits hiring replacement workers during strikes; and the show-up pay law (effective September 2025) requires employers to pay workers sent home from scheduled shifts. HR generalists need to know all of it.
9
Programs Ranked
$7,650
Best Value (UMPI)
$67,650
HR Specialist Salary
12 Weeks
PFML Paid Leave
The Most Employee-Protective Framework in New England
Maine has quietly assembled the most employee-protective employment law framework in New England, and it is still expanding. The Paid Family and Medical Leave program launches benefits on May 1, 2026, providing covered workers up to 12 weeks of paid time off for family leave, medical leave, military deployment transitions, or safety leave after abuse or violence (Maine PFML Authority). The state's highest court upheld the law in early 2026 after challenges from Bath Iron Works and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.
That is on top of existing protections. Maine's anti-strikebreaker law (26 M.R.S.A. 851-856) prohibits employers from hiring replacement workers during labor disputes. The show-up pay law, effective September 24, 2025, requires employers with 10+ workers to pay employees sent home from scheduled shifts the lesser of 2 hours' pay or the full scheduled amount (Fisher Phillips analysis).
For HR generalists with a bachelor's degree, this regulatory landscape is both a challenge and a career advantage. Employers need people who can interpret these laws, train managers on compliance, and build policies that protect the business while respecting employee rights. Maine's 9 ranked programs, led by the University of Maine (151 graduates/year), prepare students for this compliance-heavy environment. Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics subsidiary that builds Navy destroyers in Bath, employs over 6,000 workers and adds defense contractor HR requirements including ITAR compliance and security clearance processing to the state's employment landscape.
Maine HR Markets: Portland vs Bangor vs Lewiston/Auburn
Maine Industries That Hire Bachelor's-Level HR Generalists
MaineHealth is Maine's largest employer, operating hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities across the state. HR generalists manage nurse recruitment in a nationally competitive market, administer PFML leave tracking for clinical staff, and handle Joint Commission credentialing. Maine's aging population (median age 44.8) means healthcare is growing faster than the workforce that supports it.
Bath Iron Works employs 7,400 people building Navy destroyers. HR generalists manage multi-union relationships (14+ trades locals), process security clearances for classified work, and navigate the anti-strikebreaker law that governs labor disputes. BIW challenged Maine's PFML law but lost; HR staff now implement the program alongside existing defense HR requirements.
IDEXX (2,500 employees, veterinary diagnostics) and WEX (fleet payments) represent Maine's tech sector, both headquartered in the Portland area. HR generalists at these companies compete with Boston for talent, designing retention packages (relocation bonuses, remote work policies, competitive benefits) to keep workers from moving south. Forbes named IDEXX among Maine's best employers.
Tourism drives significant seasonal employment across Maine's coast, lakes, and ski regions. HR generalists manage J-1 visa worker programs, seasonal hiring surges, the new show-up pay requirements for shift-based hospitality workers, and PFML compliance for seasonal employees who meet eligibility thresholds.
University of Maine
UMaine leads the state with 151 annual HR graduates and R1 research classification. The Maine Business School offers strong connections to Bath Iron Works, MaineHealth, and state government employers. As the flagship campus, UMaine graduates carry the strongest brand recognition with Maine employers.
Program Highlights
- 151 annual HR graduates
- R1 research university
- $12,000/year tuition
- Flagship campus brand
University of Southern Maine
USM produces 83 annual HR graduates at $8,316/year in Portland, Maine's largest employment market. The program provides direct access to MaineHealth, IDEXX, WEX, Unum Group, and the concentration of tech companies that make Portland a small but growing employment hub.
Program Highlights
- 83 annual HR graduates
- $8,316/year tuition
- Portland metro location
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Why #3: Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Only SHRM-aligned HR bachelor's program in Maine. Online and campus delivery.
Saint Joseph's offers a BSBA with an HR concentration (128 credits) that is SHRM-aligned and NECHE-accredited. Available online and on campus, it is the only SHRM-aligned bachelor's HR program in Maine, which matters for [SHRM-CP certification](/certifications/shrm-cp/) eligibility.
Program Highlights
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- NECHE-accredited
- Online and on-campus
- 128 credits
Key Strengths
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- Only SHRM-aligned in state
- Flexible delivery
| 1 | University of Maine | Orono, ME | Public | $12,000 | 151 | 60.4 |
| 2 | University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | Public | $8,316 | 83 | 52.5 |
| 3 | Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish, ME | Private | $42,834 | 13 | 51.3 |
| 4 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | Presque Isle, ME | Public | $7,650 | 107 | 50.8 |
| 5 | Husson University | Bangor, ME | Private | $21,204 | 52 | 49.5 |
| 6 | University of New England | Biddeford, ME | Private | $41,050 | 27 | 46.7 |
| 7 | University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta, ME | Public | $7,560 | 29 | 44.6 |
| 8 | Thomas College | Waterville, ME | Private | $29,824 | 24 | 39.7 |
| 9 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | Fort Kent, ME | Public | $7,560 | 13 | 36.9 |
Source: Maine PFML Authority
Maine HR Bachelor's Programs FAQ
Bachelor's in Human Resources Programs in Nearby States
IPEDS 2023, SHRM Academic Alignment, AACSB, ACBSP
HR degree completions from IPEDS 2023
SHRM-aligned curriculum and AACSB/ACBSP accreditation
6-year graduation rate from IPEDS 2023
Carnegie 2021 classification
Completeness of IPEDS reporting
Data Sources
- 1.IPEDS 2023 — Program completions, tuition, graduation rates
- 2.BLS OES 2024 — HR occupational wages
- 3.Maine Legislature — Employment law (PFML, anti-strikebreaker, show-up pay)
Last updated: March 2026
Related Maine HR Resources
Taylor Rupe
Education Researcher & Data Analyst
B.A. Psychology, University of Washington · B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State University
Taylor combines training in behavioral science with data analysis to evaluate HR education programs. His research methodology uses IPEDS completion data, BLS employment statistics, and SHRM alignment data to produce evidence-based program rankings.