2026 Best Nursing Schools in Maine
Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in Maine.
Top Schools in Nursing
University Of New England tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. University Of New England awarded about 137 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $155,409. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of New England
Saint Josephs College Of Maine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #2. Located in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Saint Josephs College Of Maine awarded about 94 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn around $91,389 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Josephs College Of Maine graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Saint Josephs College Of Maine
University Of Maine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #3. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 79 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maine in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $91,413 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Maine
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Husson University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Husson University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 123 nursing degrees were awarded at Husson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $96,750 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Husson University
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of Maine At Fort Kent, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a small public institution. University Of Maine At Fort Kent graduates 34% of students within six years. University Of Maine At Fort Kent awarded about 146 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. University Of Maine At Fort Kent graduates carry a median of $30,447 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Southern Maine Community College came in at #6 for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of South Portland. There were roughly 86 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Maine Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $67,850 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496.
See the full nursing program report for Southern Maine Community College
University Of Southern Maine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. There were roughly 210 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Maine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Southern Maine earn around $87,246 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,242.
Get the full nursing details for University Of Southern Maine
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lewiston. About 54 nursing degrees were awarded at Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions earn a median of $68,704 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,875.
See the full nursing program report for Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions
Central Maine Community College came in at #9 for nursing this year. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. About 26 nursing degrees were awarded at Central Maine Community College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $66,734 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,724.
Read more about the nursing program at Central Maine Community College
Kennebec Valley Community College placed #10 among the best nursing schools. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. About 32 nursing degrees were awarded at Kennebec Valley Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $69,117. Typical student debt for the program is $25,922.
See the full nursing program report for Kennebec Valley Community College
Northern Maine Community College placed #11 among the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public university. There were roughly 26 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Maine Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Northern Maine Community College earn around $66,455 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750.
Get the full nursing details for Northern Maine Community College
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. University Of Maine At Augusta graduates 26% of students within six years. About 70 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Maine At Augusta in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $82,845. Students borrow a median of $29,510 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Maine At Augusta
Eastern Maine Community College earned the #13 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 31 nursing degrees were awarded at Eastern Maine Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $69,158. Eastern Maine Community College graduates carry a median of $32,818 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Eastern Maine Community College
York County Community College earned the #14 position for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 20 nursing students who graduated with this degree at York County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $35,803 in their early career. York County Community College graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for York County Community College
Beal College placed #15 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Bangor, Beal College is a small private for-profit university. About 93 nursing degrees were awarded at Beal College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Beal College earn a median of $47,794 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,557 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Beal College
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.
- 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.
