Nursing Schools in Maine (2026)
21 accredited nursing programs found
Maine has 21 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with 13 public and 8 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $13,556, with public schools averaging $6,746 and private schools averaging $31,260. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $3,866 to $17,827. The cheapest tracked program is Kennebec Valley Community College at $3,562 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is the University of Maine at approximately 8,341.
Across Maine programs the average graduation rate is 48.2 percent and the average retention rate is 67.1 percent. Median post-graduation earnings average $43,890 and median federal debt at graduation averages $17,365. The state's healthcare employer base is anchored by MaineHealth and Northern Light Health, with most employment concentrated in the Portland and Bangor metros and a long tail of rural critical-access hospitals across the state.
Registered Nurse Market in Maine
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in Maine
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the Maine average of $13,556.
Matches the Maine average of 48.2%.
Matches the Maine median of $43,890.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $6,746 |
| Lowest Tuition | $3,562 |
| Highest Tuition | $42,834 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $31,260 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 48.2% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $45,408 |
| Avg Student Debt | $17,365 |
| Total Enrollment | 39,310 |
All Nursing Schools in Maine
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine | Orono | Public | $12,606 | 8,341 |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland | Public | $3,797 | 5,279 |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland | Public | $10,920 | 4,245 |
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn | Public | $3,864 | 2,828 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta | Public | $8,618 | 2,759 |
| Husson University | Bangor | Private | $22,194 | 2,395 |
| University of New England | Biddeford | Private | $42,550 | 2,189 |
| Eastern Maine Community College | Bangor | Public | $3,877 | 1,692 |
| Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | Public | $3,562 | 1,538 |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | Presque Isle | Public | $8,990 | 1,362 |
| University of Maine at Farmington | Farmington | Public | $10,989 | 1,131 |
| York County Community College | Wells | Public | $3,866 | 1,055 |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish | Private | $42,834 | 930 |
| Thomas College | Waterville | Private | $30,896 | 688 |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | Fort Kent | Public | $9,045 | 638 |
| Northern Maine Community College | Presque Isle | Public | $3,880 | 577 |
| Beal University | Bangor | For-Profit | N/A | 503 |
| Washington County Community College | Calais | Public | $3,687 | 397 |
| Northeast Technical Institute | Scarborough | For-Profit | N/A | 274 |
| Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook | Westbrook | For-Profit | N/A | 261 |
| Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston | Private | $17,827 | 228 |
Nursing Schools by City in Maine
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in Maine?
What is the average nursing school tuition in Maine?
What is the average graduation rate for nursing schools in Maine?
What is the average retention rate in Maine?
What do graduates from nursing schools in Maine earn?
What is the average student debt at nursing schools in Maine?
How much do registered nurses earn in Maine?
What is the RN job outlook for Maine?
Maine Nursing Market Context
BLS data for Maine shows an RN median annual wage of $74,450 and a mean of $77,050. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $57,360 to $99,340. Statewide RN employment is approximately 14,990 and the projected growth rate is 5 percent.
Median program debt of $17,365 against a $74,450 RN median wage produces a manageable payback profile, with graduates of the Maine Community College System carrying meaningfully less debt than the state average. The 90th-percentile figure of $99,340 sits just above the national RN median, indicating modest specialty-pay headroom. The state's small healthcare market means career mobility for experienced nurses often requires geographic flexibility — commuting between Maine's two major hospital systems or accepting travel-nurse contracts to access higher wages.