by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Maine At Augusta the top school for nursing graduate earnings in Maine. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Maine At Augusta make a median of around $79,383 per year.
University Of New England produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of New England is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. Nursing graduates of University Of New England earn a median of about $82,667 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,708.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions typically earn about $76,494 annually.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $86,651.
University Of Maine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Maine make a median of around $77,342 per year.
Eastern Maine Community College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of about $72,591 a year early in their careers.
Kennebec Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,949.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #9 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Southern Maine Community College make a median of around $72,849 per year.
Northern Maine Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Northern Maine Community College is a public school located in the town of Presque Isle. Nursing graduates of Northern Maine Community College earn a median of about $73,312 a year early in their careers.
Central Maine Community College landed the #11 spot for nursing salaries this year. Central Maine Community College is a public school located in the city of Auburn. Nursing graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of about $71,277 a year early in their careers.
Husson University came in at #12 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Husson University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Husson University typically earn about $75,573 annually.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #13 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Southern Maine make a median of around $71,235 per year.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 13 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.