Nursing in Maine

Nursing education in Maine is centered mostly in southern and central cities. While 15 programs exist, they are not evenly spread across the state’s 27 towns. Most schools are near Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, and Augusta, leaving rural areas with limited in-person options. Prospective students outside these metro areas often rely on online or hybrid programs to start their training.

The job market for nurses in Maine remains favorable, with steady demand driven by the state’s aging population and ongoing rural shortages. Registered nurses earn an average salary of $84,340, which balances well against Maine’s somewhat lower cost of living compared to the national average. However, pay varies widely. Nurses working in coastal or metropolitan areas often earn near or above $100,000, while rural nurses tend to make less. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) earn about $71,430 annually, with advanced practice roles commanding higher wages... for example, nurse practitioners average around $122,940.

A key benefit of working as a Maine-licensed nurse is the state’s membership in the Nurse Licensure Compact since 2023. This lets you practice in over 30 other states that participate in the compact without extra licensing, broadening job options throughout much of New England and beyond. Keep in mind, a few neighboring states like Massachusetts and Vermont are not yet part of the compact, so separate licensing is still needed there.

Nursing programs in Maine vary in quality but generally show improving NCLEX pass rates. The state average was 88.1% for 2025, with top public colleges consistently scoring above 90%. Smaller programs and some private colleges have lower pass rates, reflecting differences in resources and student support. Community colleges usually offer more affordable tuition, with LPN and ADN programs costing roughly $7,000 to $15,000 in total tuition. BSN programs in public universities average about $15,000 per year, while private schools can be considerably more expensive.

Large healthcare systems such as MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems provide many clinical training sites and employ most graduates. If you plan to study in Maine, consider your regional access to these programs and clinical networks since program availability is concentrated near population centers. This distribution affects both education options and job prospects after graduation.