RN Programs in Maine

Ranked RN and BSN Programs in Maine

After evaluating 1,209 ADN, 794 BSN, 2,022 campus and 383 online RN programs, we ranked RN programs against criteria nurses found to be most valuabale. We spent $27,700 on this unique list that has helped more than 3,000 nurses apply to the right program for their career goals. Find NCLEX passing scores, tuition rates, nursing program accreidtation, institution accreditation and more. Expore our RN-ADN and RN-BSN rankings for Maine in the listings below.

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.

[state_name] Best Ranked RN Programs in by RNCareers.org

Ranked Schools : 7

Evaluated Schools : 15

RN Programs in Maine

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.
See our methodology for ranking ADN and BSN programs.

RANKED 1

Central Maine Community College RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN

Overall Score: 4.8235196.47%

Central Maine Community College

1250 Turner Street, Auburn, ME - 04210-6498
(207) 755-5100

Central Maine Community College is located in Auburn, Maine. They offer an ADN program. LPNs can gain entrance into their program; they enter the same program but may be able to skip a few courses. CMCC currently has about 3,000 students and graduates about 300 students each year.

Campus: Auburn, ME
Net Price: $7,924.00
Enrollment: 3,109
Transfer Out Rate: 15.60%
Loan Default Rate: 13.30%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: 3.24%
Graduation Rate: 23.50%
Median Borrowing: $9,250.00
Median Payment: $96.58
Award Levels: Associate
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED 2

Eastern Maine Community College RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN

Overall Score: 4.7405194.81%

Eastern Maine Community College

354 Hogan Rd, Bangor, ME - 4401
(207) 974-4600

Eastern Maine Community College is located in Bangor, Maine. EMCC calls their ADN program a “Multiple Entry Nursing Program” as it allows students to enter the program at various times based on their education level. For example, a new student would enter the program at the beginning. An LPN would enter the program later based on the fact that they already have nursing experience.

Campus: Bangor, ME
Net Price: $8,407.00
Enrollment: 2,558
Transfer Out Rate: 15.80%
Loan Default Rate: 15.20%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: -0.10%
Graduation Rate: 29.20%
Median Borrowing: $8,000.00
Median Payment: $83.53
Award Levels: Associate
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED 3

Kennebec Valley Community College RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN

Overall Score: 4.6125192.25%

Kennebec Valley Community College

92 Western Ave, Fairfield, ME - 04937-1367
(207) 453-5000

Kennebec Valley Community College is located in Fairfield, Maine. They offer an ADN program and an LPN to ADN program. KVCC has over 2,500 students currently enrolled in classes.

Campus: Fairfield, ME
Net Price: $9,290.00
Enrollment: 2,263
Transfer Out Rate: 9.10%
Loan Default Rate: 21.40%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: 18.60%
Graduation Rate: 41.60%
Median Borrowing: $8,700.00
Median Payment: $90.84
Award Levels: Associate
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED 4

Southern Maine Community College RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN

Overall Score: 4.6025192.05%

Southern Maine Community College

2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME - 04106-1698
(207) 741-5500

Southern Maine Community College is located in South Portland, Maine. They offer an ASN and an ASN – LPN Upgrade Option. The LPN Upgrade Option allows the LPN to become an RN. SMCC is proud to offer over 45 degrees to over 7,000 students.

Campus: South Portland, ME
Net Price: $10,542.00
Enrollment: 7,157
Transfer Out Rate: 17.60%
Loan Default Rate: 20.40%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: 26.15%
Graduation Rate: 12.90%
Median Borrowing: $7,500.00
Median Payment: $78.31
Award Levels: Associate
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED 5

University of Maine at Augusta RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN / BSN

Overall Score: 4.2725185.45%

University of Maine at Augusta

46 University Dr, Augusta, ME - 04330-9410
(207) 621-3000

University of Maine at Augusta is located in Augusta, Maine. They offer a variety of nursing programs – an ADN program, an RN to BSN program, and a BSN program. The availability of so many different options allows the student to pick what best fits their needs.

Campus: Augusta, ME
Net Price: $8,379.00
Enrollment: 4,770
Transfer Out Rate: 27.60%
Loan Default Rate: 22.70%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: 14.95%
Graduation Rate: 12.30%
Median Borrowing: $11,601.00
Median Payment: $121.13
Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED 6

Northern Maine Community College RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN

Overall Score: 4.237184.74%

Northern Maine Community College

33 Edgemont Dr, Presque Isle, ME - 04769-2016
(207) 768-2700

Campus: Presque Isle, ME
Net Price: $11,320.00
Enrollment: 1,086
Transfer Out Rate: 9.90%
Loan Default Rate: 15.20%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: 44.91%
Graduation Rate: 30.20%
Median Borrowing: $8,250.00
Median Payment: $86.14
Award Levels: Associate
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED 7

University of New England RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN / BSN

Overall Score: 1.875137.50%

University of New England

11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, ME - 04005-9599
(207) 283-0171

Campus: Biddeford, ME
Net Price: $30,174.00
Enrollment: 2,653
Loan Default Rate: 4.50%
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Net Price Change: 4.89%
Graduation Rate: 58.30%
Median Borrowing: $25,000.00
Median Payment: $261.03
Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED N/A

Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN

Overall Score: N/A

Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions

70 Middle Street, Lewiston, ME - 4240
(207) 795-2840

Campus: Lewiston, ME
Net Price: $12,126.00
Enrollment: 225
Loan Default Rate: 7.30%
Programs: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursin
Offered as: Campus, Online

Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Net Price Change: -30.39%
Median Borrowing: $14,826.00
Median Payment: $154.80
Award Levels: Associate
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

Maine Licensing Requirements

Nursing licensure in Maine is strict but there are a few ways to obtain it. Licensure can be obtained by exam, endorsement, and, sometimes, through an education completed in a foreign country.

RN Licensure by Exam

The candidate will be required to submit an application to the Board along with a $75 fee before applying to take the exam. The application must be notarized and have a passport-type photo included. There is a $200 fee that will be paid when candidates apply for the NCLEX through Pearson VUE. Scheduling the exam can only occur after the candidate has received an Authorization to Test.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

RNs who have obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states are able to apply for licensure by endorsement. In order to complete this, candidates must submit the following:

License verification
Evidence, such as transcripts, proving that a two-year program in nursing was completed
$75 application non-refundable fee
NCLEX will be require if the candidate had not passed it already

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

The following does not apply to nurses who were trained in Canada. International nurses must complete additional requirements. First, they will need to pass an exam conducted by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools. Second, transcripts should be submitted in English.

[state_name] Best Ranked RN and BSN Programs in by RNCareers.org

Ranked Schools : 5

Evaluated Schools : 8

BSN Programs in Maine

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

RANKED 1

University of Maine RN Programs in ME [state_name]

BSN

Overall Score: 4.494189.88%

University of Maine

168 College Avenue, Orono, ME - 4469
(207) 581-1110

Campus: Orono, ME
Net Price: $16,255.00
Enrollment: 9,182
Transfer Out Rate: 29.40%
Loan Default Rate: 6.30%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: 7.83%
Graduation Rate: 55.60%
Median Borrowing: $21,731.00
Median Payment: $226.90
Award Levels: Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : CCNE

RANKED 2

University of New England RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN / BSN

Overall Score: 4.344186.88%

University of New England

11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, ME - 04005-9599
(207) 283-0171

Campus: Biddeford, ME
Net Price: $30,174.00
Enrollment: 2,653
Loan Default Rate: 4.50%
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Net Price Change: 4.89%
Graduation Rate: 58.30%
Median Borrowing: $25,000.00
Median Payment: $261.03
Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

RANKED 3

University of Southern Maine RN Programs in ME [state_name]

BSN

Overall Score: 4.269185.38%

University of Southern Maine

96 Falmouth St, Portland, ME - 4103
(207) 780-4141

Campus: Portland, ME
Net Price: $16,635.00
Enrollment: 7,098
Transfer Out Rate: 40.10%
Loan Default Rate: 6.80%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: -8.38%
Graduation Rate: 33.60%
Median Borrowing: $19,000.00
Median Payment: $198.38
Award Levels: Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : CCNE

RANKED 4

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine RN Programs in ME [state_name]

BSN

Overall Score: 4.195183.90%

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

278 Whites Bridge Rd, Standish, ME - 04084-5236
(207) 892-6766

Campus: Standish, ME
Net Price: $26,927.00
Enrollment: 1,276
Transfer Out Rate: 1.40%
Loan Default Rate: 5.70%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus, Online

Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Net Price Change: 7.02%
Graduation Rate: 55.40%
Median Borrowing: $17,240.00
Median Payment: $180.01
Award Levels: Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : CCNE

RANKED 5

Husson University RN Programs in ME [state_name]

BSN

Overall Score: 4.1085182.17%

Husson University

1 College Circle, Bangor, ME - 04401-2999
(207) 941-7000

Campus: Bangor, ME
Net Price: $19,068.00
Enrollment: 2,350
Loan Default Rate: 9.70%
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Net Price Change: 35.40%
Graduation Rate: 45.20%
Median Borrowing: $20,000.00
Median Payment: $208.82
Award Levels: Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : CCNE

RANKED N/A

Kaplan University-Maine Campus RN Programs in ME [state_name]

BSN

Overall Score: N/A

Kaplan University-Maine Campus

265 Western Ave, S Portland, ME - 04106-2415
(800) 987-7734

Campus: S Portland, ME
Net Price: $15,700.00
Enrollment: 988
Transfer Out Rate: 0.60%
Loan Default Rate: 20.40%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus, Online

Type: Private For-Profit
Net Price Change: -28.01%
Graduation Rate: 18.10%
Median Borrowing: $16,628.00
Median Payment: $173.62
Award Levels: Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) :

RANKED N/A

Kaplan University-Augusta Campus RN Programs in ME [state_name]

BSN

Overall Score: N/A

Kaplan University-Augusta Campus

14 Marketplace Drive, Augusta, ME - 4330
(855) 586-2463

Campus: Augusta, ME
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus, Online

Type: Private For-Profit
Award Levels: Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) :

RANKED N/A

University of Maine at Augusta RN Programs in ME [state_name]

ADN / BSN

Overall Score: N/A

University of Maine at Augusta

46 University Dr, Augusta, ME - 04330-9410
(207) 621-3000

Campus: Augusta, ME
Net Price: $8,379.00
Enrollment: 4,770
Transfer Out Rate: 27.60%
Loan Default Rate: 22.70%
Institution Accreditation: NEASC
Programs: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Offered as: Campus

Type: Public
Net Price Change: 14.95%
Graduation Rate: 12.30%
Median Borrowing: $11,601.00
Median Payment: $121.13
Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
Program Accreditation(s) : ACEN

Maine Licensing Requirements

Nursing licensure in Maine is strict but there are a few ways to obtain it. Licensure can be obtained by exam, endorsement, and, sometimes, through an education completed in a foreign country.

RN Licensure by Exam

RN Licensure by Endorsement

RNs who have obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states are able to apply for licensure by endorsement. In order to complete this, candidates must submit the following:

License verification
Evidence, such as transcripts, proving that a two-year program in nursing was completed
$75 application non-refundable fee
NCLEX will be require if the candidate had not passed it already

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Maine RN Job Outlook

There are about 669 registered nurses in the state of Maine. There are also 715 registered nurses, six from Canada, and 11 from other countries that have been endorsed in that state of Maine. According to a National Nursing Database, reported that Maine currently has approximately 22,560 registered nurses holding active licenses. The Maine Board periodically publishes NCLEX passing rates organized by each school. There are many professional organizations that nurses in Maine will want to know about. The main organization is Maine State Nurses Association. It provides continuing education and other professional resources for nurses.

Maine Registered Nursing Salaries

Southwest Maine has the largest amount of registered nurses employed in comparison to any of the other areas in Maine. However, it does not have the highest annual median wage. The Portland metropolitan area has both the highest hourly mean wage salary and annual median wage.

Area name	Employment	Hourly median wage	Annual median wage
Bangor, ME	2,120	$30.82	$64,100
Lewiston-Auburn, ME	1,470	$29.81	$62,000
Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, ME	4,450	$31.00	$64,490
Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area	1,650	$27.49	$57,180
Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area	4,690	$29.29	$60,920