2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maine
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maine
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Kennebec Valley Community College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Maine. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,922. Soon after graduation, registered 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.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at York County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,757. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $35,803. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Maine Community College earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,724 in student loans. Registered 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.
Eastern Maine Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $69,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Northern Maine Community College, which ranked #5. Northern Maine Community College is a small public school located in the town of Presque Isle. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,455. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Maine Community College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,850. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,510 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,845. Set against $29,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,242. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $87,246. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $91,413 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions generally make around $68,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Husson University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $96,750. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned the #12 position for value in registered nursing this year. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Standish. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $91,389 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.
Beal College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Bangor, Beal College is a small private for-profit institution. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,557 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Beal College earn a median of $47,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New England placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. In-state tuition and fees average $44,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of New England earn a median of $155,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 12 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.
