Maine has a handful of colleges producing BSN graduates, from a private health sciences university on the coast to the University of Maine system. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine you love Maine’s coast and want to train as a nurse without leaving the state. A private university in Biddeford, a small Catholic college on Sebago Lake and the state flagship in Orono all offer BSNs. The numbers below help you compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Maine that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Maine nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of New England | Biddeford | Private nonprofit | 65% | 115 | $84,255 | $45,900 |
| 2 | Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | Standish | Private nonprofit | 62% | 50 | $85,031 | $45,744 |
| 3 | Husson University | Bangor | Private nonprofit | 60% | 64 | $75,751 | $24,126 |
| 4 | University of Maine | Orono | Public | 56% | 67 | $81,303 | $13,760 |
| 5 | University of Southern Maine | Portland | Public | 42% | 176 | $78,849 | $12,630 |
| 6 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | Fort Kent | Public | 37% | 146 | $75,115 | $9,720 |
| 7 | University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta | Public | 26% | 70 | $75,456 | $9,698 |
Top Maine nursing schools reviewed
1. University of New England
The University of New England in Biddeford is a private university with a strong focus on health professions, and tops our Maine list for graduation rate.
- Graduation rate: 65%, number 1 in Maine on our list
- Programme size: about 115 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $84,255 one year after graduating
- Cost: $45,900 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 92%
2. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish is a small Catholic college with a well-established nursing programme and online options.
- Graduation rate: 62%, number 2 in Maine on our list
- Programme size: about 50 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $85,031 one year after graduating
- Cost: $45,744 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 84%
3. Husson University
Husson University in Bangor offers a private BSN with clinical training in central and northern Maine.
- Graduation rate: 60%, number 3 in Maine on our list
- Programme size: about 64 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $75,751 one year after graduating
- Cost: $24,126 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 81%
4. University of Maine
The University of Maine in Orono is the state’s flagship public university, with a School of Nursing offering lower in-state tuition.
- Graduation rate: 56%, number 4 in Maine on our list
- Programme size: about 67 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $81,303 one year after graduating
- Cost: $13,760 in-state tuition ($37,910 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 97%
5. University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine in Portland offers a public BSN close to Maine’s largest hospital system.
- Graduation rate: 42%, number 5 in Maine on our list
- Programme size: about 176 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $78,849 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,630 in-state tuition ($31,080 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 79%
Ways to become a registered nurse in Maine
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Maine State Board of Nursing. Maine is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Maine offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 7 colleges in Maine produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 688 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Maine nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of New England has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 65%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Maine?
University of Southern Maine produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 176 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Maine?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $75,115 to $85,031, with a typical (median) figure of about $78,849. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Maine?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $9,698 to $13,760 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Maine State Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Maine State Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Maine State Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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