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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Maine

13 Schools Ranked
$42,726 Average Earnings
$28,320 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in Maine ranking. Our analysis looked at 13 schools in Maine to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Maine

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Beal College

Bangor, Maine
175 Total Awards
$35,440 Average Earnings
$15,195 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Beal College to be the best school for nursing students in Maine. Beal College is a private for-profit institution located in Bangor, Maine. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 175 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,195 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Beal College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,440 during the early year of their career.

Full Beal College Report

#2

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Presque Isle, Maine
272 Total Awards
$37,478 Average Earnings
$17,900 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Maine at Presque Isle is a great place for nursing students. UMPI is a small public school situated in Presque Isle, Maine. It awarded 272 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UMPI accumulate an average of $17,900 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMPI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,478 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Maine at Presque Isle

231 Total Awards
$61,135 Average Earnings
$20,974 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 13 schools in Maine that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maine at Fort Kent landed the # 3 spot on the list. Fort Kent, Maine is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 231 students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $20,974 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMFK graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,135 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Maine at Fort Kent Report

365 Total Awards
$40,182 Average Earnings
$15,688 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Eastern Maine Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Maine. Located in Bangor, Maine, the small public school awarded 365 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College accumulate an average of $15,688 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Eastern Maine Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,182 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#5

Husson University

Bangor, Maine
1,065 Total Awards
$48,847 Average Earnings
$40,607 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Husson University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Maine list. Bangor, Maine is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,065 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,607 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $253.After graduating from Husson, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,847 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#6

University of New England

Biddeford, Maine
1,557 Total Awards
$61,270 Average Earnings
$94,012 Avg Student Debt

University of New England landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Biddeford, Maine, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,557 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UNE accumulate an average of $94,012 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $567, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNE, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,270 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of New England

#7

Northern Maine Community College

Presque Isle, Maine
108 Total Awards
$35,991 Average Earnings
$12,571 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Northern Maine Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Northern Maine Community College is located in Presque Isle, Maine and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 108 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Northern Maine Community College accumulate an average of $12,571 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Northern Maine Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,991 during the early years of their career.

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501 Total Awards
$58,620 Average Earnings
$27,091 Avg Student Debt

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Standish, Maine, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 501 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Saint Joseph’s Maine accumulate an average of $27,091 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $555. During the early years of their career, Saint Joseph’s Maine graduates make an average of $58,620 annually.

Read full report on Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

#9

University of Maine

Orono, Maine
2,876 Total Awards
$40,242 Average Earnings
$25,302 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, University of Maine did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Orono, Maine is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,876 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UMaine accumulate an average of $25,302 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $193. Once they receive their degree, UMaine graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,242 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#10

Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, Maine
804 Total Awards
$35,919 Average Earnings
$12,655 Avg Student Debt

Southern Maine Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in South Portland, Maine, the medium-sized public school handed out 804 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from SMCC accumulate an average of $12,655 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SMCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,919 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

616 Total Awards
$36,249 Average Earnings
$25,710 Avg Student Debt

University of Maine at Augusta landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. University of Maine at Augusta is a small public school located in Augusta, Maine that handed out 616 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UMA accumulate an average of $25,710 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UMA graduates make an average of $36,249 annually.

Read full report on University of Maine at Augusta

#12

University of Southern Maine

Portland, Maine
1,918 Total Awards
$42,906 Average Earnings
$26,469 Avg Student Debt

University of Southern Maine came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Maine ranking. University of Southern Maine is a medium-sized public school situated in Portland, Maine. It awarded 1,918 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,469 in student loans.After graduating from University of Southern Maine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,906 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

349 Total Awards
$37,625 Average Earnings
$14,524 Avg Student Debt

Central Maine Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Maine list. Central Maine Community College is a small public school located in Auburn, Maine that handed out 349 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Central Maine Technical College accumulate an average of $14,524 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Maine Technical College graduates make an average of $37,625 annually.

Read More…

View Best Nursing Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 13 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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