Accredited nursing programs in Maine
13 schools in Maine have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 7 BSN, 6 ADN, 1 LPN, 4 MSN programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 5 of 7 listings are CCNE and 2 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 7
- 2 ACEN, 5 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 6
- 6 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 1
- 1 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 4
- 0 ACEN, 4 CCNE
Accredited schools in Maine
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Eastern Maine Community College | Bangor | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Husson University | Bangor | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Northern Maine Community College | Presque Isle | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| University of Maine | Orono | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta | Public | ACEN | – | – | – |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | Fort Kent | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of New England | Biddeford | Private | ACEN | – | – | – |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| York County Community College | Wells | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
What accreditation means in Maine
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Maine board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 7. For bachelor’s degrees, 7 of 8 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (88%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Maine are accredited?
We matched 13 Maine schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 7 BSN, 6 ADN, 1 LPN, 4 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Maine?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Maine bachelor’s programs accredited?
7 of the 8 Maine schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.