DNP Programs in Maine – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Within the next decade, Maine is expected to see a 35 percent jump in the number of jobs available for nurses with Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. That’s because healthcare employers in the Pine Tree State want to staff their hospitals, clinics, and other facilities with professionals who understand how to manage complex systems and deliver the highest quality of hands-on patient care. As a graduate of one of the DNP programs in Maine, you can count on a yearly salary that averages $132,430. Are these professional advantages you’d like to have? This guide to the best DNP programs in Maine will show you the proper steps to take.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN MAINE (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Maine (Online & Campus) for 2025.
1. University of Southern Maine - Portland
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
The DNP program at the University of Southern Maine is structured to support working professionals. The program offers a low-residency format that combines online learning with occasional in-person engagement. With start dates each fall, spring, and summer semester, and the option to enroll part-time or full-time, you can choose a time and schedule best suited for you to begin your studies.
The DNP curriculum requires the completion of at least 30 credit hours. The study plan includes classes such as Population Health Leadership, Applied Informatics, Applied Biostatistical Analysis, and Applied Research. You will also complete a DNP Project, which is the culminating event of the program.
To earn the DNP, you must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. A GAP analysis to review your master’s nursing transcripts, including grades and completed clinical hours, will determine the exact number of hours you need in this program. Graduate students typically participate in clinicals for three semesters. Clinical placements vary and include internal medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, women’s health, cardiology, family practice, pulmonology, and pediatrics, among others.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education who have an unencumbered RN license are eligible to apply for admission. You are required to submit an online application, a resume or curriculum vitae that outlines volunteer, professional, and community experience, an admission essay, and two letters of recommendation. Additionally, you must provide copies of all post-secondary transcripts. While candidates with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 are considered, those with a 3.3 or higher are preferred. If your GPA is less than 3.3, you are also encouraged to submit GRE or GMAT scores.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The cornerstone of any good DNP program is clinical practicums. One of the things that is appealing about the program at the University of Southern Maine is the one-to-one preceptor-to-student ratio, which ensures individual attention.• At the University of Southern Maine, you will have clinical experiences that go beyond traditional settings and practices. The School of Nursing collaborates with community organizations to help provide care for underserved populations. You will have opportunities to provide public health, primary care, and mental health services to patients of community-based health organizations, including immigrant and refugee agencies, a free health center for low-income residents, and facilities that serve people experiencing mental health issues and homelessness.
• Have you ever dreamed of providing nursing care to patients in other countries where healthcare services are scarce? If so, the DNP program in Maine at USM can help you accomplish that goal! The School of Nursing partners with the Office of International Programs to deliver health care services and supplies to some of the world's most underserved populations. For example, for more than 35 years, nursing students and faculty have served communities and rural villages in the Dominican Republic. Through this experience, you will work with faculty, preceptors, and interpreters to offer medical support and health education, as well as hospital and home visits.
• Although campus visits are brief, the school makes the most of students' time. During your campus visits, you will participate in intensives that include simulation labs and workshops. These campus-based intensives are designed to help refine clinical and decision-making skills and prepare you for a new role as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Maine?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In Maine?
| 1 |
3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Maine?
| Hourly | $63.67 |
| Weekly | $2,547 |
| Monthly | $11,040 |
| Annual | $132,430 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Maine?
| Hourly | $46.84 |
| Weekly | $1,874 |
| Monthly | $8,120 |
| Annual | $97,430 |
5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Maine?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $53.00 | $2,120 | $9,190 | $110,240 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $62.56 | $2,503 | $10,840 | $130,130 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $69.67 | $2,787 | $12,080 | $144,920 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $83.26 | $3,330 | $14,430 | $173,180 |
6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Maine By Metro?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Bangor | $63.57 | $2,543 | $11,020 | $132,220 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $67.05 | $2,682 | $11,620 | $139,470 |
| Portland-South Portland | $63.16 | $2,526 | $10,950 | $131,370 |
7. Average DNP Salary In Maine VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Maine
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $214,810 | -$82,380 | -38.35% |
| Podiatrist | $160,390 | -$27,960 | -17.43% |
| Optometrist | $147,470 | -$15,040 | -10.20% |
| Veterinarian | $137,380 | -$4,950 | -3.60% |
| Pharmacist | $133,540 | -$1,110 | -0.83% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,790 | -$360 | -0.27% |
| Nurse With DNP | $132,430 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physical Therapist | $91,720 | +$40,710 | +44.39% |
| Audiologist | $88,700 | +$43,730 | +49.30% |
| Radiation Therapist | $88,680 | +$43,750 | +49.33% |
| Chiropractor | $84,230 | +$48,200 | +57.22% |
| Occupational Therapist | $80,590 | +$51,840 | +64.33% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,310 | +$52,120 | +64.90% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $79,310 | +$53,120 | +66.98% |
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.
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