Maine Online NP Programs
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“Online nurse practitioner programs allow students who are place-bound to pursue graduate education. Online education is a way that colleges and universities are able to ensure students have access to education.”
Erin Soucy, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Maine at Fort Kent
Maine’s unique mix of coastal towns, forested interiors, and aging populations creates a healthcare environment where nurse practitioners (NPs) are not just valuable, they’re essential. As primary care shortages persist in many rural regions, NPs are often the first and only providers available to patients in need. Their ability to deliver a wide range of services independently, from diagnostics to long-term care management, makes them key players in keeping Maine’s communities healthy and connected.
The state’s investment in advanced practice nursing is clearly reflected in the numbers: according to CareerOneStop.org, Maine had approximately 1,330 nurse practitioners in 2022, with projections reaching 1,800 by 2032. That’s a growth rate of 35 percent, driven by an aging population, a push for more accessible care, and a healthcare system that increasingly relies on flexible, well-trained providers. For RNs looking to step into expanded clinical roles, Maine’s online NP programs offer the education and preparation needed to meet the state’s healthcare challenges head-on.
Meet the Expert: Erin Soucy, PhD, RN
Dr. Erin Soucy is a graduate of the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She earned her master of science in nursing at St. Joseph’s College of Maine and her doctoral degree from NorthCentral University.
Dr. Soucy began her career in higher education at UMFK. She has served as the nursing resource center manager, an assistant professor of nursing, director of nursing, and currently serves as the dean of nursing, allied health, and behavioral science.
NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Maine?
Dr. Soucy: Online nurse practitioner programs allow students who are place-bound to pursue graduate education. Online education is a way that colleges and universities are able to ensure students have access to education.
Because an online nurse practitioner program must educate the graduate student with content knowledge but also with practical skills, faculty in these programs create ways for the nurse practitioner student to demonstrate competence at a distance. This can be done with video assignments, simulated patient care scenarios, and through preceptor observations.
NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?
Dr. Soucy: Students pursuing online education should plan to set aside time each week for coursework as if they were in the classroom. Students in online programs must have self-discipline as there are multiple demands on our time each day, and it is easy to be distracted away from coursework.
Online courses that are asynchronous allow for much flexibility. However, it also requires students to be their own best advocate. If students experience any difficulties, they must reach out to faculty or staff to ensure they remain on track to complete the course successfully.
Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Maine (Ranked by In-State Tuition)
| School | Degrees | Specializations | Programs & Tuition | Programs | Tuition (in-state) |
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| Husson University |
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| Saint Joseph's College of Maine |
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NP Practice Authority in Maine
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Maine?
| United States | Maine | |
| Number of NPs Employed | 307,390 | 1,630 |
| Average Salary | $132,000 | $127,750 |
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $101,060 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $108,850 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $129,210 | $125,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $136,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $160,260 |
| Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of June 2025 | ||
Nearby States with Affordable Online NP Programs
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAmong her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.