9th Annual Maine RN Program Rankings by RNCareers.org
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Maine and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 7 ADN degree programs and 5 BSN degree programs in Maine. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Maine to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.Â
Best ADN Programs in Maine
#1 Associate Degree in Nursing
Kennebec Valley Community College
Pass Rate
- 92 Western Ave, Fairfield, ME - 04937-1367
- (207) 453-5000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.93%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 42
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,865
- Book and Supplies: $1,400
- Percent Received Aid: 81%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,486
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 39%
Organized in 1969 by the 104th Maine Legislature, Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is a public community college located in Fairfield. This New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)-accredited educational institution aims to prepare students in achieving their personal, professional, and educational goals. Moreover, it has a nonprofit foundation founded in 1991, the KVCC foundation, which strives to support both the students and the college itself. The raised funds go to provision of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and students’ scholarship funds. In terms of scholarship, the foundation has already awarded 2.35 million dollars and supported 2700+ KVCC students.
 Associate in Science Degree in Nursing (ADN) - Designed to prepare students for a competent entry-level position in the nursing profession, this program received a Continuing Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Aside from the generic entry option, an LPN to ADN track is also available, tailored for Licensed Practical Nurses. The said LPNs must have proof of practical nursing completion from a State Board of Nursing-approved program in order to be admitted in the program. Moreover, they must have a GPA of 2.5 or better from the practical nursing program.Â
The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with clinical practice preparing students for a holistic, compassionate, safe and ethical nursing care in various health settings. Program graduates are conferred an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing (ADN) and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
#2 Associate Degree in Nursing
Central Maine Community College
Pass Rate
- 1250 Turner Street, Auburn, ME - 04210-6498
- (207) 755-5100
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.79%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 52
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,864
- Book and Supplies: $1,400
- Percent Received Aid: 83%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,154
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 25%
Central Maine Community College (CMCC) is a two-year granting public educational institution in Auburn. It is part of the Maine Community College System and was founded in 1963. Moreover, this college is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). This institution values quality and lifelong learning. Students can seamlessly transfer and pursue advanced studies in other universities and colleges. In fact, CMCC’s graduates have credits transferred to 200+ educational institutions including top-tier and Ivy League universities. In terms of student support, CMCC has a non-profit, community-based foundation which aims to support the students and the school itself.
Associate Degree in Nursing Program - CMCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), with a continuing accreditation decision until 2028. This 68-credit program combines general education and nursing courses to equip students with the needed theory and experience for nursing practice. Classroom lectures are done both through Polycom and in-person, while the hands-on experiences are in clinical or controlled college settings. Graduates are expected to provide holistic patient needs evaluation and intervention, and develop effective interpersonal communication and collaboration skills. Moreover, their critical thinking skills are honed for effective and safe clinical judgments for nurse care provision in various health settings. The said degree can be earned in two campuses—the Lincoln County location in Damariscotta or the Main Campus in Auburn. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing examination.
#3 Associate Degree in Nursing
Eastern Maine Community College
Pass Rate
- 354 Hogan Rd, Bangor, ME - 04401
- (207) 974-4600
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.87%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 58
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,865
- Book and Supplies: $1,400
- Percent Received Aid: 87%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,765
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 24%
Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) is a publicly-supported, post-secondary technical, career, and transfer education located in Bangor, Maine. This college is fully-accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Moreover, its nursing program is ACEN and Maine State Board of Nursing-accredited.
 Associate in Science Degree - This 70-credit program equips students with the necessary skills to become registered nurses. Program graduates are conferred an associate in science degree and are eligible to sit in the NCLEX-RN exam.Â
The curriculum places emphasis on quality, safe, evidence-based, and person-centered care. Teamwork and collaboration, communication, and leadership skills as well as informatics and professionalism are also embedded in the curriculum. Depending on instructors’ and clinical sites’ availability, clinical rotations may be on weekends, evenings, or daytime, with schedules posted at the start of the semester. EMCC students have seamless transfer opportunities because EMCC has articulation agreements with various colleges and universities.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program - This 180-hour Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program consists of 90, 70, and 20 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical work time, respectively. To be admitted in the program, applicants must at least be 16 years of age who completed 9th grade. Requirements include an application essay, criminal background check, EMCC Health History Form, and Proof of 9th grade completion. Program completers are eligible to take the Maine CNA competency test in Bangor.
#4 Associate Degree in Nursing
Northern Maine Community College
Pass Rate
- 33 Edgemont Dr, Presque Isle, ME - 04769-2016
- (207) 768-2700
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.72%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 38
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,830
- Book and Supplies: $1,400
- Percent Received Aid: 98%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,040
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 42%
A part of the Maine Community College System, Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) is a public, two-year community college in Presque Isle. NMCC is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education through the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Moreover, its nursing program is Maine State of Board Nursing-approved and ACEN-accredited, with a Continuing Accreditation as the most recent decision. Graduates will have a seamless transition for BSN degree in other institutions because NMCC has transfer agreements with four-year institutions.Â
 Associate in Science Degree - This 60-61 credit hour program is designed to prepare students for entry-level nursing practice and/or advanced studies. Classroom instruction and guided learning opportunities are integrated through the use of the state-of-the art simulation center and campus laboratory. An advanced standing in the nursing curriculum is available for graduates of approved practical nursing programs who would like to earn an associate degree. Program graduates are eligible to sit in the NCLEX-RN licensing examination and/or pursue a BSN degree in a four-year university.
 Practical Nursing - This 36-credit hour certificate program which is designed for student preparation to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) can be taken in 9 months. Classroom instruction is complemented with guided learning experiences. Program graduates are eligible to sit in the NCLEX-PN licensing exam and/or pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing. For those pursuing an associate degree, a career pathway for LPN advanced standing is available, given that the student has at least a year of experience as an LPN.
#5 Associate Degree in Nursing
Southern Maine Community College
Pass Rate
- 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME - 04106-1698
- (207) 741-5500
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.60%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 98
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,874
- Book and Supplies: $1,400
- Percent Received Aid: 83%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,455
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 22%
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) is a public two-year college accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). It has community satellite centers and two campuses—the South Portland Campus in Fort Road, South Portland and the Midcoast Campus in Brunswick. With a 16:1 student to faculty ratio, SMCC accepts applications year round.
Its Health Science Degree programs prepare students for satisfying and high-wage careers in various settings in the healthcare industry. Moreover, the college has a nursing transfer agreement with the University of Maine Fort Kent (UMFK). With this agreement, students can have a smooth transition and academic transfer from SMCC’s Associate in Science in Nursing to UMFK’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
 Associate Degree in Nursing - With 69-credit hours required for SMCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing, this program can be completed in 4.5 semesters for a full-time study. An upgrade option is also available for certified Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). This Maine State Board of Nursing-approved and ACEN-accredited program prepares students for entry-level nursing practice. In terms of curriculum, a blend of general education and nursing courses are emphasized to set a theoretical foundation. Hands-on experiences and diverse clinical experiences are also integrated with didactic courses. A grade of C or 76 is required to receive a passing grade. Students have only one chance of nursing program readmission/reinstatement in the event of failure. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
#6 Associate Degree in Nursing
Maine College of Health Professions (CMMC)
Pass Rate
- 70 Middle Street, Lewiston, ME - 04240
- (207) 795-2840
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.58%
- Programs: Administration, Research or Clinical Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 12
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 60%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,275
- Percent Admitted: 45%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 89%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
Best BSN Programs in Maine
#1 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Maine at Orono
Pass Rate
- 168 College Avenue, Orono, ME - 04469
- (207) 581-1865
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 75.51%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to MSN
University Information
- Total Faculty: 564
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $11,986
- Book and Supplies: $1,000
- Percent Received Aid: 99%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $9,704
- Percent Admitted: 92%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 15%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
#2 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Southern Maine
Pass Rate
- 96 Falmouth St, Portland, ME - 04103
- (207) 780-4141
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 72.74%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, CNL, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN, Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 299
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $9,904
- Book and Supplies: $600
- Percent Received Aid: 97%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,634
- Percent Admitted: 88%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 19%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
#3 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of New England
Pass Rate
- 11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, ME - 04005-9599
- (207) 283-0171
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 71.97%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor
University Information
- Total Faculty: 320
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,400
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 100%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $18,654
- Percent Admitted: 87%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 13%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
#4 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Pass Rate
- 278 Whites Bridge Rd, Standish, ME - 04084-5236
- (207) 892-6766
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 71.71%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to BSN
University Information
- Total Faculty: 72
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 99%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $20,537
- Percent Admitted: 87%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 20%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
#5 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Husson University
Pass Rate
- 1 College Circle, Bangor, ME - 04401-2999
- 2079417000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 71.04%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to BSN
University Information
- Total Faculty:
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: N/A
- Average Grant or Scholarship: N/A
- Percent Admitted: N/A
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
About RN Programs in Maine
- There are 16 nursing schools in Maine. The CCNE accredits 7 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 12 schools in Maine.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in Maine is between 37.50% and 96.93%.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in Maine is between 84.16% and 89.76%.
- The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Maine can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
The Maine State Nurses Association encourages nurses to obtain a Bachelor’s degree, which has resulted from an influx of nurses seeking out their BSNs. It is predicted that the nursing workforce will increase by 26% by the year 2020. This will create many new job opportunities within the state. When this information is analyzed, there is no reason why nurses shouldn’t seek out higher education. It is only logical in that it puts you in a great position. Researching nursing schools and the best program possible can be overwhelming. Nursing students want to make sure they find the best school possible. Fear not! A lot of schools offer distance and online learning that makes attending school more feasible for a busy nurse.
Community and technical colleges in Maine often offer a late entry option into RN programs. This means that the nursing experiences and prior education is taken into account, allowing, for example, an LPN to "skip out" of various classes, entering the RN program at a later date. Some universities in Maine also offer all types of nursing education, from practical nursing to nursing at the bachelor's level.
In order to be accepted into an BSN program in Maine, the following requirements may be needed:
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Successful completion of two years of high school college preparatory science with a lab including biology, chemistry, or anatomy & physiology; or one semester of college biology with a lab
- Completion of ENG 101
- Completion of Mat 030 Algebra 1
- Two or more years of a foreign language
Maine RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
---|---|---|
Number of Nursing Programs | 7 | 5 |
Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 85.41% | 86.94% |
NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 37.50% to 96.93% | 84.16% to 89.76% |
Nursing Programs Offered by Maine Nursing Schools
- Registered Nursing: 11
- Family Nurse Practitioner: 4
- Administration, Research or Clinical Nursing: 1
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
- CNL: 1
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 1
Maine Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types
- University of Southern Maine: 5
- University of Maine at Orono: 2
- Saint Joseph’s College of Maine: 2
- Husson University: 2
- Kennebec Valley Community College: 1
- University of Maine at Augusta: 1
- University of New England: 1
- Northern Maine Community College: 1
- Southern Maine Community College: 1
- Maine College of Health Professions (CMMC): 1
Become a Nurse Practitioner in Maine
Research the best Maine NP programs, and find comprehensive guides to the following NP careers:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Become an APRN in Maine
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
RN Licensing Requirements in Maine
Comprehensive guide to Maine Nursing License Requirements Renewals RN and APRN.
Maine State Board of Nursing
161 Capitol Street
158 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: (207) 287-1133
Web Site: https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/
More of the Best RN Programs in Maine
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Compare Nursing Salaries in Maine
How much do nurses earn in Maine?
- CNA Salary Report for 2024
- LPN Salary Report for 2024
- RN Salary Report for 2024
- NP Salary Report for 2024
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