2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Maine
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Maine
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in Maine. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,922. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $69,117. Set against $25,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Central Maine Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Students borrow a median of $23,724 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $66,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes York County Community College one of the best values for nursing. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from York County Community College generally make around $35,803. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Fort Kent earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,420, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Students borrow a median of $30,447 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Maine At Fort Kent generally make around $71,551. That is a strong return on a $30,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Northern Maine Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northern Maine Community College generally make around $66,455. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Maine Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $69,158. Set against $32,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Maine Community College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $67,850. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #8 among the best values for nursing. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,510 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern Maine placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $87,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Maine earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $91,413. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Husson University came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $96,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,952. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions generally make around $68,704. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine landed the #13 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $91,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New England ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $155,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Beal College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Bangor, Beal College is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $17,805 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Beal College generally make around $39,570. That is a strong return on a $17,805 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
