New poll finds strong statewide support, trust, and confidence in UNE among Mainers
Residents in Biddeford and Portland report the University's highest ratings for reputation, integrity, and community impact
The University of New England today released the results of a comprehensive public opinion survey conducted by Emerson College Polling, finding strong levels of support, trust, and confidence in the University across Maine. Ratings were especially strong among residents in Biddeford and Portland, the communities closest to UNE’s campuses.
The survey included 1,255 respondents statewide, including oversamples of Portland and Biddeford residents, providing an in-depth look at how Mainers view the University’s role in education, healthcare, research, workforce development, and community life.
The findings reveal a clear trend: As familiarity with UNE increases, so do ratings for favorability, reputation, trust, and integrity.
Headline Findings
- While 54% of Maine residents report being familiar with UNE, familiarity rises to 70% in Portland and 85% in Biddeford.
- 81% of Biddeford residents and 73% of Portland residents rate UNE’s overall reputation as excellent or good.
- 62% of Biddeford residents and 64% of Portland residents sayUNE operates with integrity and honesty.
- 64% of Biddeford and Portland residents view UNE as committed to being a positive force in the community.
- 71% of Portland residents and 68% of Biddeford residents hold a favorable opinion of UNE.
- 61% of Mainers recognize UNE’s important role in healthcare and workforce development, while 75% say marine science research is important to Maine’s future.
The survey found exceptionally low levels of negative sentiment toward the University. Only 1% of Portland respondents and 3% of Biddeford respondents reported an unfavorable opinion of UNE.
The survey also identified a significant opportunity to strengthen community engagement. While only 7% of Mainers report having attended a UNE event or program, 51% say they are interested in doing so. The engagement opportunity is even greater in Portland and Biddeford, where interest in attending University events exceeds current participation by more than 40 percentage points.
The results place UNE among a relatively small number of universities that have successfully built strong name recognition and goodwill in their own backyards. Research has shown this is far from guaranteed: a 2023 internal study at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) found that a majority of residents in UCI's home city were unfamiliar with the university despite its top 10 national ranking and identified closing that awareness gap as a major institutional priority.
"Research has shown that local awareness of universities, even highly regarded ones, often falls short of what institutions might expect," said UNE President James Herbert. “The fact that UNE has earned such high marks for reputation, integrity, and community impact among the residents who know us best is something we don't take for granted. It reflects years of investment in our communities, and it gives us a clear roadmap: the more we engage, the stronger that trust becomes.”
The University plans to use the findings to guide future communications and community engagement efforts, including expanded public programming, educational events, community partnerships, and opportunities for residents to connect directly with UNE faculty, students, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted by Emerson College Polling (ECP) between April 22 and April 28, 2026, using ECP’s mixed-mode methodology, which combines landline telephone interviews, mobile phone outreach, and online survey panels to help ensure broad demographic representation.
The study included 1,000 Maine residents, along with oversamples of 200 Portland residents and 55 Biddeford residents, for a total sample of 1,255 respondents.
ECP is a nationally recognized, nonpartisan polling organization that conducts public opinion research on issues affecting communities across the country. The organization is a charter member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research's Transparency Initiative and publishes full survey results and crosstabs for public review.