Central Maine Community College lists in-state tuition of about $4,140 a year, and the University of New England lists $44,210, a nursing school cost comparison. Both report first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates above 96%.
That gap captures Maine's nursing education field: community colleges, University of Maine campuses, and private colleges all preparing students to become a registered nurse for hospitals from Portland to Presque Isle. The schools here are ordered by a composite score built primarily on first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, not reputation or marketing.
Across the ranked programs, those rates run from the high 80s to nearly 99%. Price predicts little. The license is the outcome worth measuring.
Maine Nursing Schools With the Best NCLEX-RN Outcomes for 2027
Passing the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt is the earliest clear signal that a nursing program has prepared its graduates well, and the order below reflects how consistently Maine schools deliver that result. Each placement draws on the latest three reported years of first-time pass rates, weighted by the number of test-takers, with accreditation and completion and retention rates settling near ties. Net price, where shown, is an institution-wide average after financial aid rather than an exact quote for any one student.
How we ranked these
- Institutional graduation and completion rates
- Retention and student persistence
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Accreditation and state approval
- Tuition and net price
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Maine College of Health Professions
#1Lewiston, ME · ~$26,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Lewiston learners wanting small clinical cohorts
Maine College of Health Professions is a small, health-focused private college in Lewiston where nursing anchors the entire curriculum. Its associate degree program reports a 100 percent first-time licensure pass rate, holds ACEN accreditation, and pairs simulation labs with a one-on-one RN preceptorship. Interprofessional coursework every semester places nursing students alongside other health professions students, and the school graduates 67 percent of its students overall.
- ACEN accredited
- College reports a 100 percent licensure pass rate
- One-on-one RN preceptorship
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Interprofessional education every semester
- Community service experience required
- Clinical rotations across diverse settings
- RN-to-BSN completion pathway for licensed nurses
Central Maine Community College
#2Auburn, ME · $4,000 – $7,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Working students needing evening and weekend classes
Central Maine Community College in Auburn delivers an ACEN-accredited associate degree in nursing with clinical rotations at local healthcare affiliates. The college reported a 97.22 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025, and students can choose full-time or part-time pacing with evening and weekend classes across two campuses. Transfer agreements with Southern New Hampshire University, Western Governors University, and the University of Southern Maine keep an RN-to-BSN path open, and the school graduates 30 percent of its students overall.
- ACEN accredited through 2028
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Full-time and part-time options
- Evening and weekend class options
- Two campus locations
- Clinical rotations at local healthcare affiliates
- Transfer agreements with USM, SNHU, and WGU
- College reports a 96 percent licensure pass rate
- Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing
University of New England
#3Biddeford, ME · $38,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Traditional students seeking direct-entry four-year study
The University of New England runs a four-year, direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Biddeford with more than 550 clinical hours and guaranteed clinical placement. Clinical partners include Maine Medical Center, and students can spend a term studying abroad in Morocco or Spain. Interprofessional education with future physicians and pharmacists is built into the curriculum, and the university reports a 98 percent licensure pass rate for the program. The school graduates 68 percent of its students overall.
- Direct-entry, four-year program
- More than 550 clinical hours with guaranteed placement
- Minimum 3.2 GPA; no entrance exam required
- Clinical partners include Maine Medical Center
- Study abroad in Morocco or Spain
- Interprofessional education with future doctors and pharmacists
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Financial aid and scholarships available
University of Maine
#4Orono, ME · $18,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of Maine offers a CCNE-accredited BSN in Orono through a traditional four-year track and a flexible option that spreads coursework across winter, May, and summer terms. Students can choose from several concentrations or follow specialized routes such as the Army Nurse Pathway. The university reported a 96.70 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025, and the University of Maine System has won approval for new doctoral nursing programs, including a DNP slated to open in fall 2027. The school graduates 55 percent of its students overall.
- CCNE accredited
- Traditional four-year track plus a flexible winter, May, and summer option
- Six concentration options
- Army Nurse Pathway available
- Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor option
- Starts fall and spring; full-time and part-time
- Nationally ranked BSN program
Southern Maine Community College
#5South Portland, ME · ~$11,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Southern Maine Community College in South Portland offers a four-semester associate degree in nursing with ACEN accreditation and clinical experiences across a range of healthcare settings. The college reported a 96.63 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 and 97 percent employment within six months of graduation. Prerequisites include Anatomy and Physiology I, English composition, and dosage calculations, and transfer agreements with four-year universities let graduates continue toward a BSN. The school graduates 28 percent of its students overall.
- Four-semester program
- ACEN accredited and Maine State Board of Nursing approved
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Prerequisites include Anatomy and Physiology I, English, and dosage calculations
- College reports a 96.5 percent NCLEX pass rate
- College reports 97 percent employment within six months
- Transfer agreements with four-year universities
- Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing
Kennebec Valley Community College
#6Fairfield, ME · ~$4,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield combines classroom instruction, simulation lab practice, and clinical rotations in its associate degree in nursing. The college reported a 95.56 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025, and licensed practical nurses can move up through a dedicated LPN to ADN bridge. Admission requires the ATI TEAS and prerequisite coursework, and the program is approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing. The school graduates 39 percent of its students overall.
- ACEN accredited and Maine State Board of Nursing approved
- Combines classroom, lab, simulation, and clinical learning
- Two concentration options
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Clinical experiences across a variety of healthcare settings
- Criminal background check required
- Bridge pathway for licensed practical nurses
- ATI TEAS exam required
- Prerequisite coursework required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing
Eastern Maine Community College
#7Bangor, ME · $9,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor admits nursing students on a rolling basis with two start dates each year and clinical rotations scheduled in the evenings and on weekends. The associate degree program carries ACEN accreditation through 2028, and the college reports a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates who pass the NCLEX. The 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 87.27 percent. The school graduates 32 percent of its students overall.
- ACEN accredited through 2028
- Rolling admissions with two start dates per year
- Evening and weekend clinical rotations
- No application fee
- TEAS entrance exam and prerequisites required
- Clinical partnership with Northern Light Health
- College reports 100 percent job placement after licensure
- Priority transcript deadline of December 30
- Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing
Northern Maine Community College
#8Presque Isle, ME · $4,000 – $7,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle prepares students for registered nursing work in hospitals, long-term care, community health, and care coordination. The associate degree program emphasizes hands-on laboratory and clinical learning, patient needs across the lifespan, and legal and ethical responsibilities, and licensed practical nurses may qualify for advanced standing. Graduates often continue into bachelor's completion programs, and the school graduates 42 percent of its students overall.
- Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing
- Hands-on clinical and laboratory learning
- Advanced standing available for licensed practical nurses
- Focus on patient needs across the lifespan
- Legal and ethical responsibilities integrated throughout
- Graduates may continue into bachelor's nursing programs
- Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing
University of Southern Maine
#9Portland, ME · $11,000 – $28,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 91.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of Southern Maine prepares more RNs than any other school in the state, delivering its traditional BSN through a cohort model with 168 clinical hours and a preceptor practicum. The Portland campus houses an advanced simulation center with INACSL endorsement, and the program reports a 92 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. Test-optional admission, fall and spring start dates, automatic merit scholarship consideration, and preventive-care outreach with Casco Bay fishing and coastal communities round out the picture. The school graduates 40 percent of its students overall.
- CCNE accredited
- Cohort-based, four-year program
- 168 clinical hours plus a preceptor practicum
- Simulation center holds INACSL endorsement
- Tests optional; fall application deadline of February 1
- Two start dates per year (spring and fall)
- Automatic merit scholarship consideration for qualified applicants
- Prepares more RNs than any other Maine school
University of Maine at Augusta
#10Augusta, ME · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 87.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of Maine at Augusta takes a holistic approach to nursing, with a lock-step BSN curriculum that includes holistic caring concepts and a dedicated holistic nursing clinical practicum. Regional partnerships let students complete coursework near home in Augusta, Farmington, Machias, or Lewiston, and clinical placements include MaineGeneral. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and prerequisite courses, with entry points each fall and spring. The school graduates 27 percent of its students overall.
- Holistic nursing curriculum with a dedicated clinical practicum
- Lock-step, four-year cohort structure
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and prerequisite courses required
- Two start dates per year (fall and spring)
- Regional sites include Augusta, Farmington, Machias, and Lewiston
- Clinical partnership with MaineGeneral
- Simulation labs in Augusta
Inside Our NCLEX-Weighted Scoring for Maine Programs
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates drive this list because they measure the outcome every nursing student needs: a license to practice. Roughly three quarters of each school's score comes from that figure, drawn from the Maine State Board of Nursing's latest three years of results. Scores are weighted by the number of test-takers. A program graduating a small cohort can swing from 100 percent to 80 percent on a single candidate, and weighting keeps that kind of swing from distorting the order.
The Remaining Weight
The rest of the score comes from two sources. Nursing school accreditation from ACEN or CCNE counts because it affects financial aid eligibility, transfer options, and entry into graduate nursing programs. A smaller completion and retention component, taken from College Scorecard, rewards schools that help students finish what they start.
What the Ranking Leaves Out
This list does not measure campus prestige, faculty reputation, or the quality of clinical placements. Those matter, but no public dataset captures them reliably, and we would rather skip a measure than guess at it. Cost and earnings are also kept out of the score. Blending them in would let a cheap program with weak results climb the list, or a costly one with strong results fall. Both topics get their own sections below.
How to Use the List
Treat the rankings as a shortlist tool, not a final verdict.
- Start with pass rate: Pick the schools at the top that fit your degree goal, ADN or BSN.
- Then filter: Narrow by tuition, commute or relocation, and format, such as full-time, part-time, or accelerated BSN programs.
- Verify directly: Confirm current admission requirements and clinical arrangements with each nursing office before you apply.
ADN vs. BSN in Maine: Which Path Fits You?
Two years at a community college or four years at a university: both routes end at the same exam, and that is what makes the ADN vs BSN choice interesting.
How the Two Paths Compare
- Length: An Associate Degree in Nursing typically takes about two years once prerequisites are done. A traditional BSN generally runs four.
- Cost: ADN programs at community colleges usually cost less overall. University BSN tuition is higher, though costs vary widely by school.
- Where offered: ADN programs sit mainly in community college settings. BSN programs are based at universities, including the University of New England, which also offers an accelerated option.
- Licensure: Graduates of both approved programs sit for the NCLEX-RN, and Maine licensure does not depend on which degree you hold.
- Hiring: Employer data are national, not Maine-specific, but they lean one way. In a 2023 AACN survey, about 70% of employers strongly preferred BSN hires and 25% required one for entry-level roles. Maine hospitals may differ, and a verified Maine pay gap by degree is not available.
BSN programs produced 55% of Maine's nursing graduates in 2021-2022, so the bachelor's route is the larger pipeline in the state.
Bridge Options
If you already work as an LPN, LPN to RN bridge programs can shorten the road to RN licensure by crediting what you have learned on the job. If you finish an ADN and pass the NCLEX-RN, RN to BSN Programs in Maine, often offered online, let you earn the bachelor's while working as a nurse. Many nurses combine the two steps, starting with the ADN and finishing the BSN later.
Which Fits You?
- Budget-first: Start with a community college ADN, then complete an RN-to-BSN while employed.
- Speed-first: The ADN gets you to the NCLEX-RN soonest, and an accelerated BSN is the fast option if you already hold another bachelor's degree.
- Leadership or graduate school: Go straight to a BSN, which opens the door to management roles and advanced practice programs.
Accelerated Nursing Programs in Maine for Career Changers
An accelerated BSN (ABSN) is a second-degree program for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. These accelerated BSN programs for career changers compress nursing coursework and clinicals into roughly a year or so, and graduates become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Maine ABSN Options at a Glance
- University of Southern Maine: A 15 to 16 month program that starts in May and runs through August of the following year. Applications are due October 1 for the next summer cohort, and prerequisites can still be in progress during fall and spring if finished before the mid-May start. Expect weekday classes on campus (often 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and clinical shifts of 7 to 3 or 3 to 11. USM assigns every clinical placement, typically within about an hour's drive of Portland, and students cannot arrange their own sites. The program ends with a 168-hour precepted practicum.
- University of New England: A 12-month, full-time program spanning three consecutive semesters, with the 2026 cohort beginning in May. Applications open in early August and are reviewed on a rolling basis through April 1, 2026, or until seats fill, so applying early matters. You apply through NursingCAS with a bachelor's in any field and at least a 3.0 GPA. Before clinicals, you'll need immunizations, BLS CPR certification, a background check, and drug testing.
- Saint Joseph's College of Maine: A 15-month hybrid ABSN over four semesters, with coursework fully online and clinicals in person. Students complete two immersive on-campus clinical weeks at the college's Standish nursing center. The program lists about 60 credits and roughly 600 clinical hours, at $900 per credit (about $54,000) plus around $4,000 in fees. Intakes run in summer and fall. A November 15 early-action date appears in college materials, so confirm which intake it applies to. A coordinator notifies you before each clinical rotation, and you then schedule hours with your preceptor. Ask admissions where placements are located before committing.
- University of Maine at Fort Kent: Reported to offer an accelerated BSN for bachelor's holders with a minimum 3.2 GPA, but verified current details on length, format, start dates, and deadlines are not available. Contact the school directly.
What an ABSN Is Not
RN-to-BSN and RN to MSN programs Maine, many of them online, require an active RN license. They help working nurses advance; they do not prepare you for initial licensure. If you've never been licensed, you need a prelicensure program like those above.
Realistic Expectations
These programs are full time and intense. Holding even a part-time job is difficult with daytime classes and rotating clinical shifts. Plan to complete science prerequisites before you start, and budget for living costs across the full program.
Maine by City
Explore other Maine related topics
Most Affordable Nursing School Options in Maine
Sticker tuition is the published price before aid, while average net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Net price is reported for the whole institution rather than the nursing program, so treat it as an approximate guide. Based on 2024 U.S. Department of Education data from IPEDS and the College Scorecard, Maine's public community colleges lead on cost, charging identical in-state tuition and posting net prices that stay low even for out-of-state students, while median debt for nursing graduates is reported for some programs and not yet available for others.
| School | City | Sector | In-State Tuition and Fees | Out-of-State Tuition and Fees | Average Net Price (Institution-Wide) | Median Program Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | Public, 2-year | $4,156 | $7,036 | $3,910 | $13,255 |
| Washington County Community College | Calais | Public, 2-year | $4,156 | $7,036 | $5,149 | N/A |
| York County Community College | Wells | Public, 2-year | $4,156 | $7,036 | $5,875 | $8,861 |
Cutting the Cost: Maine Nursing Scholarships and Loan Repayment
Some financial aid for nursing students options in Maine lower your bill before the first tuition check, while others pay off loans after you begin working. The choice often comes down to whether you can commit years of service in a nursing education role or a Maine-based clinical shortage setting.
FAME Nursing Education Loan Repayment
The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) runs a Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program for registered nurses who hold a master's or doctoral nursing degree and are teaching, or relocating to teach, at an eligible Title IV nursing education program in Maine. The 2026 cycle lists a $6,667 award, paid over a three-year service commitment, with annual disbursements tied to continued eligible employment and a remaining loan balance.1 This program covers graduate nursing loans, not undergraduate debt, so it pairs with the broader planning covered in How to Pay for Your MSN Degree. The 2026 application closed March 31, 2026; the next cycle's deadline is February 1, 2027.
Maine Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Pilot
Maine also offers a Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Pilot administered by FAME. Selected health care professionals can receive up to $25,000 in loan repayment for committing to live and work in Maine for at least three years. You must be a current Maine resident or become one within six months of selection, and you must be practicing or starting an eligible provider role within six months. Nurses and nurse educators are priority categories, but selection depends on available funds, local shortages, and access needs, so acceptance is not guaranteed.
How to stack the money
Treat aid as layers rather than one big check. Start with federal aid through the FAFSA, then pursue a Maine state repayment program that matches your intended role, and ask your employer's HR team whether tuition assistance can cover a final share. Service-obligation programs trade debt relief for a work commitment, so confirm the length, location, and role requirements before signing on. If you plan to stay in Maine in an eligible setting, those three years can turn into substantial debt relief.
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites at Maine Nursing Schools
Requirements differ by school and program type, so confirm current criteria directly with each program before you apply. Here is what recent admissions information from several Maine schools shows.
- Prerequisite courseworkSouthern Maine Community College (SMCC) requires a high school diploma or equivalent plus Anatomy & Physiology I with lab, English Composition, and Dosage Calculations, each with a B- (2.75) or better. USM's Accelerated Nursing BS requires Statistics, A&P I and II, and Microbiology with lab, all with a C or better, completed before the May start.
- Entrance examThe ATI TEAS is the standard exam at these schools. HESI is not listed. SMCC sets minimums of 66.1% composite, 72.3% reading, 68.8% math, 57.4% science, and 66.7% English. Central Maine Community College (CMCC) set 68% composite and 60% science for Fall 2026. Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) requires a 70th-percentile composite for its LPN to ADN program and allows two retakes, each after a 45-day wait.
- TEAS exemptionCMCC waived the TEAS for applicants earning A through B- grades in BIO 115 and 116, ENG 101 (or 105), and MAT 100 or higher, with no retakes.
- GPA expectationsSMCC and CMCC list no separate overall GPA minimum. Course grade minimums matter most. USM's accelerated program requires a 3.0 GPA from your most recent degree.
- Selection processSMCC uses a competitive pool review for Fall 2027, with deadlines of April 1 for fall and September 1 for spring. CMCC admits qualified applicants first-come, first-served until seats fill, then waitlists them. The CMCC waitlist expires each academic year, so waitlisted applicants must reapply.
- Clinical complianceExpect to submit health and clinical compliance documentation. CMCC requires it even from waitlisted applicants. Ask each school about its specific immunization, background check, and CPR requirements.
Maine State Board of Nursing Licensure Snapshot
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Maine, Step by Step
Most people become RNs in Maine in about 18 months to 4 years, depending on whether they choose an ADN, a traditional BSN, or an accelerated BSN, plus several weeks for licensure processing. Choose an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program. Many graduate nursing programs expect a degree from an accredited school, and employers often look for one.
