2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maine
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
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2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Kennebec Valley Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools in Maine. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,922. Registered Nursing graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $69,117 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,922 median debt.
York County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $35,803. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
Central Maine Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Students borrow a median of $23,724 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $66,734. Set against $23,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Northern Maine Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,455. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Eastern Maine Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. 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 registered nursing graduates is $32,818. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $69,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. 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 earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $82,845. Set against $29,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $87,246 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $91,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Husson University came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Husson University generally make around $96,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Lewiston, Central Maine Medical Center College Of Nursing And Health Professions is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,952. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,875. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,704. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned the #12 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,420 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Saint Josephs College Of Maine generally make around $91,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of New England landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $155,409. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Beal College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Bangor, Beal College is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,805. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Beal College generally make around $39,570. Set against $17,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
