Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, and outcomes for every accredited nursing program in Maine.
Maine's nursing workforce needs are growing: the state's aging population and rural healthcare gaps drive demand for skilled RNs. That demand spans everything from Portland's major medical centers to the small critical access hospitals serving remote communities.
Programs across the state offer ADN, BSN, and accelerated pathways to meet entry requirements, but choosing the right one requires weighing cost, NCLEX outcomes, and long-term salary prospects. Maine's lower cost of living stretches an average RN salary of $84,110, but net price differences between public and private schools can exceed $30,000 per year.
Maine's nursing schools combine small class sizes, high NCLEX pass rates, and deep community ties to prepare students for careers across the state's diverse healthcare landscape. From rural critical access hospitals to major medical centers, these top-ranked programs offer a range of pathways, including ADN, BSN, and accelerated options, suited to different goals and budgets. Below, we compare the 10 best nursing schools in Maine based on costs, graduation rates, and student outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | Fort Kent, ME | $9,000 – $15,000/yr | Rural Maine nursing students | |
The University of Maine at Fort Kent serves rural and northern Maine with its campus-based BSN program, emphasizing hands-on learning in simulation labs and clinical experiences. With a strong focus on patient-centered care and a competitive admissions process, graduates are prepared for diverse nursing roles and NCLEX-RN licensure. Its location near the Canadian border provides unique cross-cultural exposure to bilingual communities.
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| #2 | Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston, ME | $26,000/yr | Working RNs advancing in Maine | |
Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston offers an RN to BSN completion program designed for working registered nurses. The hybrid format blends online and classroom learning, with 8-week courses and a clinical capstone. Strong hospital affiliation with Central Maine Healthcare provides direct clinical ties and career advancement within Maine's healthcare system, and the program consistently earns high NCLEX pass rates.
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| #3 | University of Maine | Orono, ME | $18,000/yr (net price) | Future nurse leaders in Maine | |
The University of Maine in Orono provides a comprehensive nursing education with a campus-based BSN and multiple pathways to graduate study. As the state's flagship, it offers a full nursing ladder from ADN to MSN, emphasizing clinical practice and leadership. The program prepares students to serve Maine's communities, with a strong focus on compassion and expertise, and graduates are well-prepared for licensure and employment in varied healthcare settings.
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| #4 | Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish, ME | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish offers a CCNE-accredited BSN program with a 90.63% NCLEX pass rate and clinical experiences starting sophomore year. Small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and a new nursing innovation center support student success. Clinical placements extend across Maine, and the curriculum integrates liberal arts with professional nursing, preparing graduates for in-demand roles statewide.
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| #5 | Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield, ME | $4,000/yr | ||
Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield provides an affordable ADN program with a 21-month curriculum and strong NCLEX pass rates, typically above 94%. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinicals in central Maine healthcare facilities, preparing graduates for RN licensure. An LPN-to-ADN pathway offers a streamlined route for licensed practical nurses to advance, reinforcing Maine's internal nursing pipeline.
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| #6 | University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | $11,000 – $28,000/yr | ||
The University of Southern Maine in Portland offers a traditional BSN program with a 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an accelerated option for second-degree students. The campus-based program uses modern simulation labs and community clinicals to build clinical competence. As a public university, it provides affordable in-state tuition and serves as a major supplier of nurses to southern Maine's healthcare market.
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| #7 | Husson University | Bangor, ME | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Husson University in Bangor provides a CCNE-accredited BSN with a 100% graduate employment rate and options for a three-year accelerated track. The campus-based program features clinical simulation centers and a senior practicum, backed by strong financial aid support. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN and often remain in Maine for nursing careers.
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| #8 | University of New England | Biddeford, ME | $38,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of New England offers a direct-entry BSN program spread across its Biddeford and Portland campuses, integrating over 550 hours of clinical experience. With a high NCLEX pass rate and interprofessional education, graduates are competitive for Maine's nursing jobs. Admission requires a 3.2 GPA and specific science prerequisites, making it a selective and respected choice in the state.
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| #9 | Central Maine Community College | Auburn, ME | $4,000 – $7,000/yr | ||
Central Maine Community College in Auburn provides an ADN program with the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates in Maine, often reaching 98-100%. The program offers flexible scheduling including evening and weekend options, making it ideal for working adults. Graduates are well-prepared for RN licensure and often continue to RN-BSN programs at partner institutions, strengthening Maine's nursing workforce.
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| #10 | Eastern Maine Community College | Bangor, ME | $9,000/yr (net price) | ||
Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor offers an affordable and efficient ADN program with a 100% job placement rate for NCLEX-passing graduates. The campus-based curriculum combines evidence-based practice with clinical rotations in eastern Maine healthcare settings. With small class sizes and ACEN accreditation, EMCC produces practice-ready nurses who are essential to the region's hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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Our ranking of Maine nursing schools is built entirely on transparent, outcomes-driven data: no prestige polls, no hidden weights. We focus on the metrics that matter most to nursing students: what you'll pay, what you'll earn, and whether you'll finish on time.
All metrics are drawn from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Institution-wide figures (like net price and overall graduation rate) come from IPEDS, while program-level earnings come from the College Scorecard's program performance data, when a school has reported it. We cross-check dates and always use the most recent cohort available.
You'll notice NCLEX pass rates aren't in our ranking formula. While critical for licensure, those rates are reported separately by state boards and aren't directly comparable across schools or years without context. We analyze NCLEX data elsewhere on this page so you can weigh it alongside our ranking.
It's also important to understand the limits of each metric: graduation rates reflect all students in a school, not just nursing majors, so a large university with many programs may look different from a small nursing college. Net price is an average; your individual cost depends on your financial aid package. And program-level earnings are still emerging: many Maine programs haven't yet reported this data, so in those cases we rely on institution-level earnings as a proxy.
Most nursing school rankings never reveal their methodology. By laying out exactly how we evaluate programs, we give you the power to decide which factors matter most for your own career goals. E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness) isn't just an SEO checklist: it's the foundation of a ranking you can actually use.
Maine's BSN programs offer a range of costs and outcomes. In the first quarter of 2026, Maine nursing graduates achieved an 85.19% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, just under the national average of 86.9%. The table below lets you compare net price, graduation rates, median debt, and early-career earnings across the state's bachelor's programs.
| School | Program | Net Price | Graduation Rate | Median Debt | Median Earnings (10 yr) | Student-Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $7,035 | 51.6% | $16,000 | $40,956 | 30:1 |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $7,482 | 39.4% | $20,160 | $51,077 | 21:1 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $10,924 | 27.0% | $22,734 | $40,342 | 16:1 |
| University of Southern Maine | Traditional BSN | $13,596 | 40.4% | $19,060 | $49,958 | 14:1 |
| University of Maine at Farmington | UMA pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $16,857 | 51.5% | $24,499 | $44,433 | 13:1 |
| University of Maine | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $17,510 | 54.9% | $25,000 | $48,653 | 15:1 |
| Husson University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $21,005 | 59.4% | $27,000 | $45,025 | 15:1 |
| Maine College of Health Professions | RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $26,312 | 66.7% | $15,250 | $79,840 | 11:1 |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Nursing, BSN | $27,555 | 65.7% | $27,000 | $59,045 | 10:1 |
| University of New England | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $38,107 | 68.3% | $25,250 | $55,921 | 11:1 |
A nursing program's NCLEX-RN pass rate is one of the most transparent indicators of how well it prepares students for licensure. The Maine State Board of Nursing publishes annual pass rates1, and reviewing them before committing to a program can save time, money, and frustration down the road.
The latest data highlights two BSN programs with strong outcomes. University of New England posted a 98% pass rate in 20241, meaning nearly every graduate passed the exam on the first attempt. Saint Joseph's College of Maine last reported a 100% pass rate in 20182, though its more recent figures are not yet available in the board's public reports. Both are well above the threshold that indicates a program is effectively teaching core nursing competencies.
For context, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing reported an overall NCLEX-RN pass rate of 82.21% for 20241. The Maine programs with published data sit comfortably above that mark. While an aggregate state-level rate isn't calculated, individual school outcomes consistently land in a range that employers and licensing boards view favorably.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They reflect real-world outcomes that affect your career:
The NCLEX data shown here is separate from the methodology used to rank schools elsewhere on this site. Rankings incorporate factors like affordability and outcomes, but pass rates give you a direct, unvarnished look at academic performance. When comparing programs, pair this metric with other practical considerations: location, clinical partnerships, cost, and class size. Always check the most recent data from the Maine State Board of Nursing, as rates can shift from year to year.
These figures show the median earnings a decade after graduation alongside the typical debt load for nursing completers at each school. The ratio gives a quick read on return on investment, programs with higher earnings and lower debt offer the strongest financial start. Note that earnings reflect program completers specifically, not all nurses in Maine.
Maine offers three main entry-level nursing degree pathways, and the route you choose shapes your timeline, training depth, and long-term career options.
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year program offered primarily at community colleges. It appeals to students who want to enter the workforce quickly with minimal debt. ADN graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN exam as BSN graduates and become registered nurses, but they typically start in entry-level hospital or long-term care roles. This pathway suits career changers who need a direct route to employment or those balancing work and family obligations, as many ADN programs offer flexible schedules.
A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year program that combines nursing coursework with a broad liberal arts education. It is the standard route for high school graduates or those without a prior degree. Maine's BSN programs include clinical rotations across diverse settings, preparing graduates for a wider range of specialties and leadership roles. Employers increasingly require or strongly prefer the BSN, and the degree opens doors to graduate study for advanced practice roles.
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, Maine has multiple accelerated BSN (ABSN) options that let you leverage your prior education. These intensive programs pack nursing coursework and clinical hours into 12 to 15 months. Four schools currently offer this accelerated route:1
Accelerated programs are rigorous and often demand a full-time commitment, but they are the fastest way for a college graduate to enter nursing.
Nurses who start with an ADN can transition to the BSN through RN-to-BSN programs. Many Maine community colleges have articulation agreements with state universities, allowing ADN graduates to transfer credits seamlessly. These bridges are often offered online or in hybrid formats, making them manageable for working nurses. Completing a BSN typically takes one to two additional years of part-time study, and some employers may offer tuition reimbursement.
The Institute of Medicine's landmark recommendation that 80% of nurses hold a BSN by 2020 has influenced hiring patterns nationwide. Magnet-designated hospitals and most academic medical centers now require the BSN for new hires or set expectations for ADN nurses to earn one within a few years. Choosing a degree path is a strategic career decision: an ADN gets you into practice fastest, but the BSN provides greater mobility, higher earning potential over a career, and eligibility for leadership and specialty roles. Review NCLEX pass rates by program and consider how your chosen degree aligns with the jobs you want ten years from now.
Registered nurses in Maine earned an average annual wage of $84,110 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While that figure sits below the national median of $93,600, Maine’s lower cost of living helps stretch those dollars further, especially for nurses who choose an affordable pathway into the profession.
The national median wage for RNs reached $93,600 last year, but Maine’s average wage of $84,110 still supports a comfortable lifestyle. The BLS reports that the mean hourly wage for Maine RNs was $42.04, compared to a national median of $45.00. Keep in mind that the Maine figure is an average, not a median, so many nurses earn more than $84,110, particularly in higher-paying specialties and metro areas.
Location within the state can influence pay. The Bangor metro area reported a median RN wage of $83,750 in 2022, the most recent year with local data. Wages in Portland-South Portland tend to run higher due to larger hospitals and health systems, while Lewiston-Auburn figures were not separately published. If you’re weighing job offers, comparing cost of living alongside salary gives a clearer picture of take-home pay.
Nursing demand remains robust. Nationwide, RN employment is projected to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034, adding over 166,000 new positions and about 189,100 annual openings. Maine’s aging population will likely fuel steady demand for healthcare services, making nursing a reliable career choice with strong long-term stability.
Even at Maine’s average wage, a BSN represents a strong return on investment. Consider the net price of top programs: University of Maine at Fort Kent’s in-state net price is about $7,500, while University of Southern Maine comes in around $13,600. Private options are higher, Saint Joseph’s College runs about $27,600 and Maine College of Health Professions roughly $26,300, but graduates from those schools report median earnings that quickly offset the cost. For example, federal data shows Maine College of Health Professions alumni earning a median of $79,840, with median debt under $20,000. Across the board, a year or two of RN wages typically covers the full net price of a BSN in Maine, making nursing a financially prudent degree pathway.
Nursing programs in Maine set clear academic thresholds. Most Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs expect a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, though competitive tracks may require a 3.25 or higher. For example, the University of New England asks for a 3.2 GPA, and the University of Southern Maine's traditional BSN looks for a 3.25 high school GPA. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs at community colleges typically accept a 2.5–2.75 GPA but remain competitive due to limited seats.
Prerequisite coursework is consistent across programs. You will need:
Entrance exams are standard. The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is required at most schools; some accept the HESI. A competitive TEAS score typically falls above the 60th percentile, though benchmarks vary by institution. Check individual program websites for cut scores.
Start early. Most BSN programs in Maine have winter or early-spring deadlines for fall admission. For instance, the University of Southern Maine's priority deadline is often in January, while the University of Maine at Orono closes its BSN application in February. Complete all science prerequisites by the end of the fall semester before applying, and plan to take the TEAS in the fall or early winter.
ADN programs may use rolling admissions but can fill up quickly. Eastern Maine Community College and Kennebec Valley Community College accept applications throughout the year, yet nursing cohorts are small, so apply by early spring for a fall start. Always confirm deadlines directly with the program, as dates shift.
Admissions probabilities are encouraging when viewed at the institutional level. At the University of Maine, the overall acceptance rate is 97%, and at the University of Southern Maine it is 79%. However, these figures reflect the entire university, not the nursing department specifically. Nursing programs often have a separate, more selective review, so treat the institution-wide numbers as a baseline, not a guarantee of entry into the clinical track.
Maine offers several targeted financial resources for nursing students. State incentives and foundation awards can chip away at costs significantly. The Maine State Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program, administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), provides loan repayment assistance for nurses who work in underserved areas after graduation. Additionally, these scholarships are specifically designed for Maine nursing students:
Also explore the Boyne Family Nursing Scholarship for ABSN students with a preference for elderly care in deprived areas. Complete the FAFSA early to unlock need-based aid, and use the FAME scholarship search tool to find additional opportunities.
Net price among ranked Maine nursing programs ranges from roughly $12,000 per year at public in-state schools to over $40,000 at private colleges. Choosing an in-state public option can cut your total cost by half or more, reducing debt and accelerating your financial payoff.
Find answers to common questions about nursing schools in Maine, from top programs and costs to NCLEX performance and admission requirements.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Maine offers additional accredited nursing schools that may fit different budgets and schedules. The directory below includes institutions in regions from Greater Portland to Aroostook County, with estimated net prices and degree options to help you compare.
