Maine Nursing Schools and Programs
Researching and then applying to accredited nursing schools in Maine can be a time-consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near-term education goals and the Maine licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career in the state of Maine as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse? See our nursing education chart below for some insight into how long it takes to graduate from the most popular CNA, LPN, and RN nursing programs in Maine.
Maine Registered Nurse (RN) programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN), which typically lasts 2 years, or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), which lasts 4 years.
While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many Maine nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and earn an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of Maine.
Starting with a shorter CNA or LPN program can also strengthen your ASN or BSN application by showing commitment and clinical readiness. For those pursuing Maine RN licensure directly, associate degree programs are often more accessible than bachelor's programs. Earning your RN through an ASN, then advancing through an RN to BSN program or RN to MSN bridge, is a common and effective path in Maine.
Nursing Schools
List Of Nursing Schools In Maine
Below is our list of accredited nursing schools in Maine. In general, these colleges, universities, and training centers offer campus-based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs approved by the Maine Board of Nursing. RN schools in ME will generally offer an ADN, ASN, or BSN nursing degree. Advanced Practice (APRN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs can be found at larger schools that offer MSN and DNP degrees.
Click the name of any Maine nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database. Use the wishlist buttons provided to save institutions to a private list of nursing schools near you.
Beal University
99 Farm Road,
Bangor,
ME
04401
207-947-4591
Beal University is a Private for-profit institution with a campus in Bangor, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Bangor, Maine campus for Beal University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 520. In-state tuition and fees were $43,094 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, RN-to-BSN, BSN, MSN
- Tuition Cost $43,094
- Acceptance Rate Open
Central Maine Community College
1250 Turner Street,
Auburn,
ME
04210
207-755-5100
Central Maine Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Auburn, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Auburn, Maine campus for Central Maine Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,121. In-state tuition and fees were $4,140 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: CNA, ASN
- Tuition Cost $4,140
- Room and Board $10,977
- Acceptance Rate Open
Eastern Maine Community College
354 Hogan Rd,
Bangor,
ME
04401
207-974-4600
Eastern Maine Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Bangor, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Bangor, Maine campus for Eastern Maine Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,531. In-state tuition and fees were $4,156 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: CNA, ASN
- Tuition Cost $4,156
- Room and Board $11,804
- Acceptance Rate Open
Husson College
One College Circle,
Bangor,
ME
04401
207-941-7100
Husson College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Bangor, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Bangor, Maine campus for Husson College is located in a City setting. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, Nurse Practitioner
Kennebec Valley Community College
92 Western Ave,
Fairfield,
ME
04937
207-453-5000
Kennebec Valley Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Fairfield, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Fairfield, Maine campus for Kennebec Valley Community College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,381. In-state tuition and fees were $4,156 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN, LPN-to-RN
- Tuition Cost $4,156
- Acceptance Rate Open
Maine College of Health Professions
70 Middle Street,
Lewiston,
ME
04240
207-795-2840
Maine College of Health Professions is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Lewiston, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Lewiston, Maine campus for Maine College of Health Professions is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 228. In-state tuition and fees were $20,952 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN, RN-to-BSN
- Tuition Cost $20,952
- Acceptance Rate 33%
Northern Maine Community College
33 Edgemont Dr,
Presque Isle,
ME
04769
207-768-2700
Northern Maine Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Presque Isle, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Presque Isle, Maine campus for Northern Maine Community College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 783. In-state tuition and fees were $3,730 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN
- Tuition Cost $3,730
- Room and Board $7,818
- Acceptance Rate Open
Purdue University Global - Lewiston
475 Lisbon Street,
Lewiston,
ME
04240
207-333-3300
Purdue University Global - Lewiston is a Public institution with a campus in Lewiston, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Lewiston, Maine campus for Purdue University Global - Lewiston is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 503. In-state tuition and fees were $14,343 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
- Tuition Cost $14,343
- Acceptance Rate Open
Purdue University Global-Augusta
14 Marketplace Drive,
Augusta,
ME
04330
207-213-2500
Purdue University Global-Augusta is a Public institution with a campus in Augusta, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Augusta, Maine campus for Purdue University Global-Augusta is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 489. In-state tuition and fees were $14,343 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
- Tuition Cost $14,343
- Acceptance Rate Open
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
278 Whites Bridge Rd,
Standish,
ME
04084
207-892-6766
Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Standish, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Standish, Maine campus for Saint Joseph's College of Maine is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,463. In-state tuition and fees were $44,420 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, ABSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, Post-MSN
- Tuition Cost $44,420
- Room and Board $15,384
- Acceptance Rate 82%
Southern Maine Community College
2 Fort Road,
South Portland,
ME
04106
207-741-5500
Southern Maine Community College is a Public institution with a campus in South Portland, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The South Portland, Maine campus for Southern Maine Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 6,007. In-state tuition and fees were $3,797 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
- Tuition Cost $3,797
- Room and Board $10,138
- Acceptance Rate Open
University of Maine
168 College Avenue,
Orono,
ME
04469
207-581-1865
University of Maine is a Public institution with a campus in Orono, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Orono, Maine campus for University of Maine is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 11,760. In-state tuition and fees were $13,326 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, Post-MSN
- Tuition Cost $13,326
- Room and Board $13,410
- Acceptance Rate 96%
University of Maine at Augusta
46 University Drive,
Augusta,
ME
04330
207-621-3000
University of Maine at Augusta is a Public institution with a campus in Augusta, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Augusta, Maine campus for University of Maine at Augusta is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,323. In-state tuition and fees were $8,888 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN
- Tuition Cost $8,888
- Room and Board $10,546
- Acceptance Rate Open
University of Maine at Fort Kent
23 University Drive,
Fort Kent,
ME
04743
207-834-7500
University of Maine at Fort Kent is a Public institution with a campus in Fort Kent, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Fort Kent, Maine campus for University of Maine at Fort Kent is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,210. In-state tuition and fees were $8,805 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN
- Tuition Cost $8,805
- Room and Board $9,288
- Acceptance Rate 99%
University of Maine at Presque Isle
181 Main St,
Presque Isle,
ME
04769
207-768-9400
University of Maine at Presque Isle is a Public institution with a campus in Presque Isle, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Presque Isle, Maine campus for University of Maine at Presque Isle is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,187. In-state tuition and fees were $9,402 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $9,402
- Room and Board $10,710
- Acceptance Rate 97%
University of New England
716 Stevens Ave,
Portland,
ME
04103
207-283-0171
University of New England is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Portland, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Portland, Maine campus for University of New England is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 6,473. In-state tuition and fees were $44,210 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, PMHNP, DNAP
- Tuition Cost $44,210
- Room and Board $18,000
- Acceptance Rate 89%
University of Southern Maine
96 Falmouth St,
Portland,
ME
04103
207-780-4141
University of Southern Maine is a Public institution with a campus in Portland, Maine. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Maine Board of Nursing. The Portland, Maine campus for University of Southern Maine is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 7,583. In-state tuition and fees were $10,120 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, Accelerated MSN, DNP
- Tuition Cost $10,120
- Room and Board $10,924
- Acceptance Rate 85%
- ACT Score 19-26
How To Become
How do I become a nurse in Maine?
If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Maine, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Maine registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the Maine Board of Nursing.
If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Maine, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Maine practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the Maine Board of Nursing.
How Long It Takes
How long is nursing school in Maine?
The amount of time you spend in a Maine nursing school will vary based on the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a Maine Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.
Above on this page, we created a chart that summarizes how long nursing school is in Maine. That chart includes the number of nurses employed in the state of Maine, along with the average wages earned at each education level.
Notice that in the state of Maine, far greater numbers are employed as Registered Nurses (RN) compared to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Maine earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which Maine nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.
Tuition Cost
How much does nursing school in Maine cost?
Tuition for a nursing school in Maine will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two-year Associate degree, an ADN, or ASN, for example. The larger public four-year colleges and universities in Maine cost more, between $8,000 to $15,000 per year, for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN).
To help reduce the cost of nursing school in Maine, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two-year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four-year college or university of your choice. Each college has its own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.
Difficulty
Is it hard to get into a Maine nursing school?
We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each Maine nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in Maine provided above, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 33% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.
If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Maine nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.
Compact State
Is Maine a nursing compact state?
Yes, Maine is part of the nursing license compact. Maine recently enacted the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, which allows nurses to practice in all but a handful of states. This means that a Maine Licensed Practical Nurse or a Maine Registered Nurse can now apply for a multi-state nursing license.
Last updated: February 5, 2026
References:
- Maine Nursing License Requirements. State of Maine, Board of Nursing. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- Maine State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- Tuition And Characteristics Of Maine Colleges. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- Maine Nurse Licensure Compact Status. NCSBN, National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Retrieved February 5, 2026.