Best Online Nursing Programs in Lewiston, ME (2026)
Lewiston, Maine has a population of about 37,886. The city’s median household income is $56,558 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Lewiston. In the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $231,960 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Lewiston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Lewiston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston, ME | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | 30.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland, ME | 30.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Durham, NH | 76.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Husson University | Bangor, ME | 84.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maine schools on the Maine nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Lewiston
Lewiston is part of the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area (BLS area code 30340). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maine statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,860 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $87,497 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,310 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $67,909 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $231,960 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $244,942 |
| Nurse Midwife | $132,920 | ME statewide | $140,359 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,860 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $144,520 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,450 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $50,106 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Lewiston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,886 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,558 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Androscoggin County | 2,612 workers, 101 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lewiston-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Auburn, ME – 4.0 mi away (22,948 pop)
- Augusta, ME – 27.3 mi away (21,876 pop)
- Portland, ME – 29.1 mi away (206,193 pop)
- South Portland, ME – 32.4 mi away (25,577 pop)
- Waterville, ME – 40.0 mi away (26,806 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Lewiston, ME?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Lewiston. The closest is Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston, ME (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Husson University (84.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Lewiston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Lewiston are: Nurse Anesthetist ($231,960), Nurse Practitioner ($136,860), Nurse Midwife ($132,920). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maine statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Auburn instead of Lewiston?
Auburn, ME is 4.0 miles from Lewiston and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Lewiston an affordable place to study nursing?
Lewiston’s median household income of $56,558 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lewiston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maine public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.