Northern Maine Community College vs University of Southern Maine
CERT programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| Northern Maine Community College Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | University of Southern Maine Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | CERT | CERT |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Presque Isle, ME | Portland, ME |
| Length | 12 months | 12 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | — | 79.3% |
| Avg accepted GPA | — | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | — | — |
| Total tuition | $3,880 in / $6,760 outBEST | $10,920 in / $27,104 out |
| In-state tuition | $3,880BEST | $10,920 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,760BEST | $27,104 |
| Clinical placement | — | — |
| Accreditation | SCORECARD_BASELINE | SCORECARD_BASELINE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Northern Maine Community College or University of Southern Maine?
Northern Maine Community College is the more affordable option at roughly $3,880, compared to $10,920. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.
Are Northern Maine Community College and University of Southern Maine the same type of program?
Both are CERT programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.
How do I decide between Northern Maine Community College and University of Southern Maine?
Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.
Want a personalized fit score?
Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.