5 Schools • 1 Fully Online • 2 Mostly Online • 2 Hybrid
Maine has five schools offering nine Family Nurse Practitioner tracks across MSN and post-graduate certificate pathways. One program is fully online, two are mostly online and two are hybrid. Resident tuition runs from about $11,000 for a certificate to $50,000 for an MSN. Most MSN programs take two to four years. No Maine school offers an FNP DNP. Three of the five charge every student the same rate regardless of residency.
Highlights include:
- University of Maine requires 755 clinical hours, with clinicals at contracted sites anywhere in Maine
- Husson University runs fully online with six start dates a year
- Saint Joseph’s College of Maine approves FNP clinicals in 37 states at one tuition rate
- Beal University splits its practicum hours evenly between pediatrics and adults
Compare Maine Family NP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Beal University | Mostly Online | One training week | $800 | MSN | Balanced peds and adult training |
| Husson University | Online | None | $732 | MSN, certificate | No-travel flexibility |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | Mostly Online | One skills session | $746 | MSN, certificate | Out-of-state online students |
| University of Maine | Hybrid | Weekly live clinical sessions (campus or Zoom) | $625 | MSN, certificate | Rural Maine nurses |
| University of Southern Maine | Hybrid | Weekly class | $601–$661 | MSN, certificate | Southern Maine commuters |
CPC is derived and inclusive of mandatory per-credit fees at Maine resident rates (the same rate for all residencies at three of five schools), rounded to the nearest dollar. Per-term and per-course fees are listed on each school profile.
What’s the Best FNP Program for You?
Best No-Travel Option
Husson University requires no campus visits, offers six start dates a year and lets students stop out for a term. Its 540 clinical hours sit just above the certification minimum.
Most Clinical Training
University of Maine requires 755 precepted hours on a Rural Health FNP concentration, with clinicals at contracted sites anywhere in Maine.
Lowest In-State Cost
University of Southern Maine charges $661 per credit for the MSN and $601 for the certificate, fees included, for Maine residents. Expect a weekly campus class.
Best for Out-of-State Students
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine charges $746 per credit in every eligible state and approves FNP clinicals in 37 states, with one campus skills session.
Best for Pediatric Experience
Beal University gives pediatrics and adult care 256 practicum hours each, followed by a 192-hour lifespan clinical, within 704 total hours.
Best for Rural Nurses
University of Maine builds its MSN around rural and underserved Maine communities and lets students train near home anywhere in the state.
Maine DNP FNP Programs
No Maine school currently offers a BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP with an FNP focus. Nurses who want a doctorate can compare options in our BSN-to-DNP FNP programs guide.
Maine MSN FNP Programs
All five schools offer an FNP MSN, from 48 to 62 credits. Husson is the only program with no campus time, while USM meets weekly and UMaine holds weekly live clinical sessions. Published clinical hours run from 540 to 755. Both public universities require a Maine RN license (UMaine also accepts proof of reciprocity), and charge non-residents much higher rates.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Beal University | $50K | 1.7–3.3 years | 704 hrs |
| Husson University | $37K | 2–2.5 years | 540 hrs |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | $36K | 2.25 years | 600 hrs |
| University of Maine | $34K–$35K | 2.5–4 years | 755 hrs |
| University of Southern Maine | $32K–$34K | 3–4 years | 600 hrs |
- Lowest resident total: University of Southern Maine — about $32K–$34K with fees.
- Same rate everywhere: Husson University and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine — one rate for all residencies.
- Fastest full-time pace: Beal University — 20 months, though its 62 credits make it the largest MSN in the state.
- Most clinical hours: University of Maine — 755 precepted hours.
Find even more master’s options in our MSN FNP programs guide.
Maine Post-Graduate Certificate FNP Programs
Four schools offer a post-graduate FNP certificate. A gap analysis of prior coursework sets the final credit load at USM, UMaine and Husson, so cost ranges are wide. Saint Joseph’s publishes a fixed 30-credit plan on the same 600-hour practicum sequence as its MSN. Beal does not offer a certificate.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Husson University | $13K–$35K | 1–2 years | 540 hrs |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | $22K | 1.7 years | 600 hrs |
| University of Maine | $23K+ | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated |
| University of Southern Maine | $11K–$24K | 1+ year | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest certificate cost: University of Southern Maine — $11K–$24K in-state, billed at a lower $601 rate.
- Fixed plan: Saint Joseph’s College of Maine — 30 credits on the full 600-hour practicum sequence.
- Frequent starts: Husson University — six start dates a year.
Find even more post-master’s options in our FNP certificate programs guide.
National Online FNP Options
Maine’s in-state programs leave three gaps. There is no FNP DNP in the state. No school publishes guaranteed clinical placement: UMaine and Saint Joseph’s expect students to find their own preceptors, and the other three do not say. Out-of-state students also face limits, since USM and UMaine charge roughly $1,800 per credit to non-residents and Saint Joseph’s excludes 14 jurisdictions, including New York. Nurses who hit one of these limits can compare national programs such as Walden University and Purdue Global.
FAQ
How many FNP programs are in Maine?
Five schools offer nine FNP tracks: five MSN programs and four post-graduate certificates. Four schools are CCNE-accredited; Beal University holds initial NLN CNEA accreditation.
Which Maine FNP programs are fully online?
Husson University requires no campus visits. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and Beal University are mostly online, with one campus session and one training week, respectively.
Which Maine FNP program has the lowest tuition?
For Maine residents, the University of Southern Maine has the lowest per-credit rates ($601–$661 with fees). Husson has the lowest rate for non-residents at $732 per credit.
Are there DNP FNP programs in Maine?
No. No Maine school currently offers an FNP-focused DNP.
Do Maine FNP programs require campus visits?
Four of five do. USM meets weekly on campus, UMaine holds weekly live clinical sessions on campus or by Zoom, and Saint Joseph’s and Beal each require one on-campus session.
Can I complete clinicals near home?
Yes, at most programs, but expect to find your own preceptors. UMaine allows contracted sites anywhere in Maine, Saint Joseph’s approves sites in 37 states, and Husson clinicals take place in your home community.
Can out-of-state students enroll in Maine FNP programs?
Yes. Husson and Saint Joseph’s charge all students the same rate, though Saint Joseph’s excludes 14 jurisdictions. USM and UMaine require a Maine RN license (or reciprocity at UMaine) and charge out-of-state tuition, and Beal does not say which states it enrolls.