Massachusetts Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
The following guide to nursing schools in Massachusetts provides you with key information, including several nursing program profiles, on the undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered in the state. The diverse nursing programs in Massachusetts allow students to concentrate in such areas as nursing education, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, nursing administration services, and adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. Sometimes earning a nursing degree, however, requires more flexibility than afforded by a traditional college program. Many online universities confer bachelor’s and master’s in nursing degrees to students who complete all coursework online.
Quick Facts
- 56 schools with nursing programs in Massachusetts are in our database (see below).
- 32 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 26 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 22 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- 1 school ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
- 11 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
- 8 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs Massachusetts
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (#57 in-state, #44 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- Boston College (#32 tie)
- Northeastern University (#50 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Boston (#66 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (#78 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Worcester (#91 tie)
- Simmons College (#117 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#121 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (#124 tie)
- Regis College (#155 tie)
- Curry College (#176 tie)
- Fitchburg State University (#201 tie)
US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (#48 tie)
- Northeastern University (#58 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Boston (#73 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Worcester (#121 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (#123 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#136 tie)
- Regis College (#142 tie)
- Simmons College (#149 tie)
Below you will find in-depth information, including profiles, of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in Massachusetts.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Massachusetts nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing).
| School | ADN or LVN Program | BSN Program | Grad Nursing Program | ACEN/CCNE Accred.* | NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^ | # Taking | Net Price^^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Maria College | No | Yes | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $29,942 |
| Berkshire Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 77% | 26 | 81% | 43 | $8,172 |
| Boston College (BSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 92% | 95 | $26,284 |
| Boston College (MSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 100% | 35 | $26,284 |
| Bristol Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $6,306 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 90% | 21 | 78% | 100 | $6,842 |
| Cape Cod Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 84% | 67 | $8,485 |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 72% | 76 | $22,379 |
| Curry College | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 62% | 112 | $31,104 |
| Emmanuel College | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $31,438 |
| Endicott College | No | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 82% | 39 | $33,171 |
| Fisher College | No | Yes | No | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $25,551 |
| Fitchburg State University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 93% | 43 | $12,833 |
| Framingham State University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $18,027 |
| Greenfield Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 90% | 31 | 83% | 41 | $9,136 |
| Holyoke Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 90% | 10 | 77% | 39 | $6,914 |
| Laboure College | Yes | Yes | No | ACEN/CCNE | N/A | N/A | 60% | 105 | $30,675 |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 92% | 25 | 75% | 64 | $11,896 |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 76% | 89 | $36,043 |
| Massasoit Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 75% | 124 | $7,663 |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 76% | 157 | N/A |
| Middlesex Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 85% | 73 | $4,384 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 89% | 35 | 87% | 105 | $7,839 |
| Northeastern University (BSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 91% | 198 | $29,779 |
| Northeastern University (MSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 95% | 20 | $29,779 |
| Northern Essex Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 92% | 26 | 58% | 52 | $8,440 |
| North Shore Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 91% | 34 | 87% | 55 | $7,523 |
| Quincy College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 76% | 67 | 83% | 127 | $11,460 |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 88% | 42 | 84% | 106 | $6,758 |
| Regis College (MSN) | No | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 90% | 52 | $26,560 |
| Roxbury Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 73% | 11 | 68% | 47 | $6,977 |
| Salem State University (BSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 82% | 101 | $15,588 |
| Salem State University (MSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 89% | 9 | $15,588 |
| Simmons College (BSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 86% | 192 | $30,232 |
| Simmons College (MSN) | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 100% | 3 | $30,232 |
| Springfield Technical Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 88% | 67 | $7,997 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 87% | 119 | $19,109 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 74% | 216 | $10,980 |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 84% | 98 | $15,489 |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 70% | 99 | $17,035 |
| University of Massachusetts-Worcester | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 90% | 29 | N/A |
| Westfield State University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 81% | 21 | $15,203 |
| Worcester State University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 98% | 52 | $15,203 |
*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
**NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).
Schools in Massachusetts with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
Massachusetts Bay Community College
Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) designed to prepare graduates for careers as registered nurses (RNs). The program integrates ethical values to provide total client care. Students take several nursing courses that are divided between academic learning and lab/clinical practice. Courses in the curriculum include Health Assessment and Skills; Introduction to Psychosocial Concepts and Pharmacology in Nursing; Concepts in Nursing Care Across the Lifespan; and Concepts in Family Nursing. Admission to the program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), is competitive and requires attending an information session before submitting the application. Accepted students may begin the program in the fall semester. Other nursing programs at MassBay include a Practical Nurse (PN) program and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program.
Northern Essex Community College
Northern Essex Community College’s Associate of Science in Nursing degree is a daytime program that prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN and become entry-level registered nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. In addition to classroom-based learning, the program provides in-depth laboratory and clinical experience, as well as modules focused on holistic nursing care in childbearing and childrearing. Required courses include Pharmacology, Issues in Professional Nursing, and Lifespan Psychology. Students must also meet the college’s core academic skills intensive course requirements across six areas of study. The ASN program at Northern Essex Community College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
Endicott College
Undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Endicott College must complete between 126 and 128 credits, of both general college and nursing coursework, to fulfill degree requirements. Nursing majors will take such courses as acute care nursing, care of children, community health nursing, and psychosocial nursing. Students complete mandatory clinical practicums at one of approximately 60 affiliated public and private medical facilities in and around Boston. Nursing majors can become involved on campus by joining the Student Nurses Association. Graduates of the program will have the necessary qualifications to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Emmanuel College
Emmanuel College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program consists of 128 credits and generally takes four years to complete full time. Part-time study is also allowed. Core nursing curriculum consists of 36 credits focusing on health assessment, public health and the professional nurse, diversity in healthcare, and health promotion in nursing practice. Students must complete a practicum and a mandatory senior project. General college coursework typically falls into several categories, including social analysis, scientific inquiry, general studies, quantitative analysis, religious thought, and moral reasoning, aesthetic inquiry, and historical consciousness. Prospective applicants may submit application materials online.
Northeastern University
In Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University offers several nursing programs, including a competitive online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree that allows students to complete the program and enter the workforce in 16 months. Lecture courses in the 67 credit hour program are completed online and supported by hands-on simulation lab training in an academic setting. Also included in the curriculum are clinical rotations with Northeastern University healthcare partners, a list comprising over 100 institutions including some of the best hospitals in the US. The ABSN program holds accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Master’s in Nursing Programs
University of Massachusetts
Graduate students pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at the University of Massachusetts may opt for full time or part-time study. Two concentrations are available: adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. Both concentrations require 45 credits with full-time students generally able to fulfill degree requirements within two full years. Practicums are mandatory. Prospective applicants to the program must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), must submit GRE scores and three letters of recommendation, and must provide evidence of a current registered nurse’s license in Massachusetts. Applications are due March 15.
Salem State University
Salem State University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program allows students to concentrate in administration of nursing services, nursing education, or adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. Students must complete between 39 and 45 credits depending on the concentration. The nurse practitioner track prepares students for doctoral study. Graduate students are required to take such core nursing courses as health policy and leadership for advanced practice nursing, foundations of nursing science, and nursing research. Prospective students, who possess a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, may apply for the university’s Direct Entry MSN program, which generally takes 15 months to complete.
Student Reviews
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-0111
https://www.umass.edu/
Student Review: “The program was comprehensive and devoted to thorough education. Much study focused on potential career and/or vocational opportunities in the field. The faculty was studied and interested in communicating the material in a timely fashion and the handouts were exhaustive and relevant. Highly recommend this program. There are numerous advisors and support in order to take full advantage of the academics and the library is highly representative of medical texts.” – Student at University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Rd
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
(508) 999-8000
https://www.umassd.edu/
Student Review: “The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth nursing program was the most challenging four years of my life, in terms of education and study. The program was very well structured in regards to exposing its students to a wide variety of content and clinical experience. The classroom assignments were straightforward and reinforced by the instructors through hands-on training in the field. As for clinical assignments, I found them to be extremely time-consuming. However, upon graduating and beginning a career in a hospital setting, I realized how strong a foundation they were to help me face specific patient cases. I can honestly say that every night I spent awake preparing treatment plans, memorizing flashcards, and studying for tests was time well invested. The nursing program at UMASS Dartmouth requires determination, perseverance, and dedication to become a successful nurse in the healthcare field.” – Student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing