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 valuable. We spent $27,700 on this unique list that has helped tens-of-thousands of nurses apply to the right program for their career goals. Find NCLEX passing scores, tuition rates, nursing program accreditation, institution accreditation and more. Explore 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](https://i2.wp.com/rncareers.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/logo_head.png?w=1080&ssl=1 "[state_name] Best Ranked RN Programs in by RNCareers.org"){kind=logo}
Ranked Schools : 7
Evaluated Schools : 8
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.
RANKED 1
![Central Maine Community College RN Programs in ME [state_name]](https://i2.wp.com/rncareers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/template1.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1 "Central Maine Community College RN Programs in ME [state_name]")
ADN
Overall Score: 96.47%
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
ADN
Overall Score: 94.81%
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
ADN
Overall Score: 92.25%
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
ADN
Overall Score: 92.05%
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
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 85.45%
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
ADN
Overall Score: 84.74%
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
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 37.50%
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
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
Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 2,401 Nursing Schools, 50 State Boards of Nursing, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
See our methodology for ranking ADN and BSN programs.
Find RN Programs in Maine | BSN Programs in Maine | RN Programs in the United States | LPN to RN Program Guide: LPN to RN Guide | LPN to BSN Program Guide: LPN to BSN Program Guide | RN to BSN Program Guide RN to BSN Program Guide | RN Jobs RN Jobs
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.
Helpful Nursing Resources
![[state_name] Best Ranked RN and BSN Programs in by RNCareers.org](https://i0.wp.com/rncareers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/BSNseal-1.png?w=1080&ssl=1 "[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
BSN
Overall Score: 89.88%
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
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 86.88%
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
BSN
Overall Score: 85.38%
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
BSN
Overall Score: 83.90%
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
BSN
Overall Score: 82.17%
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
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: N/A
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 N/A
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
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) :
Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 2,401 Nursing Schools, 50 State Boards of Nursing, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
See our methodology for ranking ADN and BSN programs.
Find RN Programs in Maine | BSN Programs in Maine | RN Programs in the United States | LPN to RN Program Guide: LPN to RN Guide | LPN to BSN Program Guide: LPN to BSN Program Guide | RN to BSN Program Guide RN to BSN Program Guide | RN Jobs RN Jobs
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.
Helpful Nursing Resources
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 Nursing Jobs
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 |