PORTLAND — About 290 students from Kaplan University received their degrees Saturday in a commencement ceremony at Merrill Auditorium.

“These graduates will immediately enhance the quality of Maine’s workforce,” said Christopher Quinn, president of Kaplan’s Maine campuses in Lewiston, Augusta and South Portland. “They live in Maine, and the vast majority will stay in Maine as they pursue their careers.”

Graduates earned certificate, associate, bachelor and master’s degrees from Kaplan’s schools of social and behavioral sciences, business, education, health sciences and information technology.

Gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler gave the keynote address.

“You are here today because you understand opportunity,” Cutler said. “You have seized it and have worked hard to create even greater opportunities for yourselves and your families.”