Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Maine
Picturesque sceneries with beautiful lakes, spectacular coastlines, high standards of education, and excellent student communities make Maine an amazing place to study. The state has some of the best nursing schools in the country, so if you want a stimulating environment and comprehensive academic experience in nursing, you should enroll in one of the nursing schools in Maine.
With a host of options to choose from and so many factors to consider, selecting a nursing school and program can be challenging.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve compiled a list of the best universities for nursing education and training in Maine. The information we’ve gathered will help you find the best nursing school based on their scores, NCLEX pass rate, programs offered, in-state tuition, and out-of-state tuition fees.
Maine’s top nursing programs:
- University of Southern Maine
- University of Maine
- University of Maine at Fort Kent
- Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
- Husson University
- University of New England
1. University of Southern Maine– Score 68.33
NCLEX Pass Rate: 79.31%
In-State tuition: $8,640
Out-of-State tuition: $23,640
The cornerstone of nursing programs at the University of Southern Maine is clinical experience. It offers community-based clinicals to help students work with underserved populations. These clinicals help students provide patients with primary care, public health, and mental health services. The university’s graduation rate is 48%.
The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the University of Southern Maine are as follows:
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2. University of Maine – Score 66.67
NCLEX Pass Rate: 83.33%
In-State tuition: $11,940
Out-of-State tuition: $34,080
The University of Maine was the first university in the state to launch a baccalaureate program for nurses in 1939. Today, it provides its nursing courses through a traditional classroom setting and the university’s graduation rate is 59%.
The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the University of Maine are as follows:
- BSN
- MSN
- Graduate Certificate
3. University of Maine at Fort Kent – Score 61.67
NCLEX Pass Rate: 77.27%
In-State tuition: $7,350
Out-of-State tuition: $11,760
The University of Maine at Fort Kent provides online and traditional classroom options to support its nursing students. The CCNE-accredited programs at the university are dedicated to fostering students’ personal and professional growth at an affordable rate. The University of Maine at Fort Kent has a 51% graduation rate.
The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the University of Maine at Fort Kent are as follows:
- BSN
- ABSN
- RN to BSN/MSN
- MSN
4. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine – Score 55
NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.63%
Tuition Fee: $41,586 (No in-state or out-of-state tuition)
All Saint Joseph’s nursing programs are offered online, except for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine’s graduation rate is 35% and for acute care NP it has an NCLEX pass rate of 100%.
The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine are as follows:
- BSN
- RN to BSN
- MSN
- Post-Master’s Certificate
5. Husson University – Score 53.33
NCLEX Pass Rate: 68.75%
Tuition Fee: $20,150 (No in-state or out-of-state tuition)
All nursing courses are offered online, except for the undergraduate nursing program. The clinical study and hybrid simulation opportunities allow students to learn through hands-on experience. The university’s graduation rate is 59%.
The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by Husson University are as follows:
- BSN
- MSN
- Post-Graduate APRN
- Certificate Program
6. University of New England – Score 45
NCLEX Pass Rate: 66.67%
Tuition Fee: $39,510 (No in-state or out-of-state tuition)
The University of New England gives its students an opportunity to study abroad in Morocco or Spain for one semester as part of the BSN curriculum. Additionally, it organizes various faculty-led field trips to Italy, Iceland, Mexico, Kenya, and Cuba. This university has a 64% graduation rate.
The ACEN accredited nursing programs offered by the University of New England are as follows:
- BSN
Table
| School | Rank | In-State Annual Tuition | Out-of-State Annual Tuition | Accreditation | NCLEX Pass Rate | Graduation Rate | Programs offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Maine | 1 | $8,640 | $23,640 | Yes | 79.31% | 48.00% | BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN/MSN, MSN, DNP, Graduate/Master's Certificate |
| University of Maine | 2 | $11,940 | $34,080 | Yes | 83.33% | 59.00% | BSN, MSN, Graduate Certificate |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | 3 | $7,350 | $11,760 | Yes | 77.27% | 51.00% | BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN/MSN, MSN |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | 4 | $41,586 | Yes | 90.63% | 35.00% | BSN, RN to BSN MSN, Post-Master's Certificate | |
| Husson University | 5 | $20,150 | Yes | 68.75% | 59.00% | BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program | |
| University of New England | 6 | $39,510 | Yes | 66.67% | 64.00% | BSN |
How to choose the right nursing program
There are many factors to consider when choosing a nursing school. Looking at things like curriculum, cost, time commitment, and location can help you select the right nursing school and program, and you can get off to a good start in your nursing career.
Location
Location is a prime decision factor when choosing a hybrid or offline nursing program. You should consider whether you want to live by the coast in a less crowded city or if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of big city life more. If you choose a college that requires a shorter commute, you’ll save time. Additionally, your school location will decide the tuition you pay, as some schools charge differently for in-state and out-of-state students.
Tuition
Tuition is another important factor when considering a nursing school or program. Higher education requires a weighty financial investment and can have long-term implications on your life.
However, there are various ways to get assistance, including work-study programs, numerous scholarships, and federal financial aid (FAFSA). When selecting a nursing program, consider your own financial capacity and the level of debt you’re willing to assume. You can also pursue all the financial support you can get, including programs that provide nursing student loan forgiveness.
NCLEX Scores
You’re required to pass the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. Make sure you review the NCLEX scores of your top-choice schools. Opting for a school with a higher NCLEX pass rate increases your odds of passing the exam on your first try.
Higher NCLEX scores also attract better financial support for nursing simulation labs and other facilities. Choosing a school with a good NCLEX score will ensure that you get access to quality nursing education.
Programs Offered
Make sure the nursing school you choose provides the right academic offerings. Go through the different program’s curricula and structures to select the one that best suits your needs. Remember that a rigorous curriculum will help you accelerate your career as a registered nurse.
Graduation Rate
Look up the graduation score for each program before making a choice – a high graduation rate is a positive indicator. The graduation rate is determined by the proportion of undergraduate students who complete their degree within 4 to 6 years.
Next Steps
While finding the best nursing program can seem daunting, we hope our guide has helped you toward the right choice.
Once you’ve zeroed in on a program, it’s time to apply and enroll. Nursing school can be rigorous– it’s not going to be an easy journey. But it’s worth it and can lead to a meaningful career.
Graduating from a nursing school will open many doors for you. You can either go for higher education or start working as a nurse. You can obtain free nursing CEUs from Incredible Health after completing your graduation course. We can help you with your job search by connecting you with employees and organizations. We also have a comprehensive guide with all licensing details in Maine.
If you have any questions or doubts, you can get in touch with other nurses through our website.
Methodology
To determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.
Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.
Sources we used data from
- University webpages
- Maine State Board of Nursing
- U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings
Sources
- “Federal Student Aid.” studentaid.gov. Accessed July 26, 2022.
