Massachusetts Nursing Schools & Programs

Massachusetts pays RNs among the best wages in the country and anchors some of its top teaching hospitals, including Massachusetts General. That combination makes it a strong place to start or advance a nursing career. This guide covers how to get licensed here, what the work pays, and the programs worth your attention.

The Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts

Use NCLEX-RN pass rates, format, cost, and clinical placement as your first filters. Every program below is accredited.

Northeastern University runs 16 nursing programs, several in accelerated formats. At the Bouve College of Health Sciences you can take a 67-credit BSN and finish in 16 months, a four-year track with two six-month co-op experiences, or a five-year track with three six-month clinical placements. Clinical sites include Brigham and Women's, Children's Hospital, and Lahey Clinic, with international co-op options available.

• Program: BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D. in nursing
• Campus: Boston, Massachusetts
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $56,500 per year for undergraduate tuition
• Admission Requirements: Varies by degree; transfer students need a minimum 3.0 GPA; completed prerequisites
• Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $70,200 for bachelor's graduates and $110,878 for graduate-school graduates, according to College Scorecard

Boston College's William F. Connell School of Nursing, which opened in 1947, runs two DNP programs, including one for future nurse anesthetists. You can earn the nurse anesthesia DNP in as few as 36 months full time. In the third semester, students rotate through three to six facilities, working in the operating room four days a week. Placement sites include Boston Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, and Cambridge Hospital.

• Program: BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D. in nursing
• Campus: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $2,098 per credit for undergraduate tuition; $1,636 per credit for graduate tuition
• Admission Requirements: DNP candidates need at least a BSN or MSN; critical care nursing experience; GRE scores; admissions interview
• Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,015 for bachelor's graduates and $100,439 for graduate-school graduates, according to College Scorecard

Endicott College offers CCNE-accredited undergraduate and graduate nursing programs built around community outreach. The BSN runs eight semesters (four years, 126-128 credits). Clinical work starts in the sophomore year and ends with a senior internship under a nurse preceptor. Students also have service-learning placements at facilities serving people experiencing homelessness, immigrants, and incarcerated populations, plus study-abroad options in Belize, Iceland, or Scotland in the junior year.

• Program: BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D. in nursing
• Campus: Beverly, Massachusetts
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $36,926 per year for undergraduate tuition; $845 per credit for MSN tuition; $5,853 per credit for Ph.D. nursing tuition
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA; SAT or ACT scores
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $69,079 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Elaine Marieb College of Nursing runs an MSN built around nursing education. The 32-credit, 11-course program includes two practicums: one delivering direct patient care, the other in a classroom or health education department under a faculty supervisor. UMass Amherst also offers an accelerated BSN, an RN-to-BSN, a fully online DNP, a Ph.D., and certificates in nursing education, Spanish and nursing health, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

• Program: BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D. in nursing, undergraduate and graduate certificates
• Campus: Amherst, Massachusetts
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $7,895 per semester for undergraduate in-state tuition; $18,158 for undergraduate out-of-state tuition; $2,081 per credit for in-state graduate tuition; $4,103 per credit for out-of-state graduate tuition
• Admission Requirements: Varies by degree; MSN candidates need a BSN, or an associate nursing degree plus a bachelor's degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; current RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $68,647 for bachelor's graduates and $97,071 for doctoral graduates, according to College Scorecard

The College of Our Lady of the Elms, a private Catholic school founded in 1928, runs a fully online MSN with tracks in nursing and health services management, nursing education, school nursing, or a dual MSN-MBA. Students can finish in two to three years, with self-paced options. Undergraduates and graduates train in the 22,000-square-foot Lyons Center simulation site, through clinical placements, and aboard the care van that serves underserved communities.

• Program: BSN, MSN, DNP
• Campus: Chicopee, Massachusetts
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $37,605 per year for undergraduate tuition; $905 per credit for MSN tuition; $880-$950 per credit for DNP tuition
• Admission Requirements: Varies by degree and track; MSN candidates need a BSN; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; two letters of recommendation; official transcripts; resume; writing sample
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $69,410 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Emmanuel College's Maureen Murphy Wilkens School of Nursing & Clinical Sciences offers a fully online MSN for current RNs who hold a BSN. The 30-credit program covers research and ethics, human diversity, policy, and pathophysiology, with a practicum, and lets students specialize in education or administration.

• Program: BSN, MSN, graduate certificates in nursing education and nursing administration
• Campus: Boston, Massachusetts
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $350 per credit for RN-to-BSN tuition; $860 per credit for MSN and graduate certificate tuition
• Admission Requirements: Varies by degree; MSN candidates need two letters of recommendation; minimum 3.0 GPA; official transcripts; a BSN from an accredited program; resume; current RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $66,883 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Bunker Hill Community College posts a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate and runs one of the more flexible ADN programs in the state. Coursework combines lectures, lab work, and clinical placements. You can take an on-campus day program meeting twice a week, or a hybrid format that meets online once a week and on campus once a week.

• Program: Associate degree in nursing
• Campus: Boston, Massachusetts
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• Tuition: $24 per credit for in-state tuition; $230 per credit for out-of-state tuition
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; math placement test; completed prerequisites; official transcripts
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,012 for graduates, according to College Scorecard

Simmons University runs traditional degrees alongside accelerated pathways for working professionals. Through the Dorothea Lynde Dix Scholars Program, you can finish a BSN in as few as 16 months, ending with a clinical practicum and a complex-care course that includes NCLEX-RN preparation. Simmons also offers a five-year BSN-to-MSN and a fully online RN-to-BSN.

• Program: BSN, MSN
• Campus: Boston, Massachusetts
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $23,514 per semester for nursing tuition
• Admission Requirements: BSN candidates submit high school or college transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA; teacher recommendation; counselor recommendation; essay; SAT or ACT scores
• Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $67,789 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

The University of Massachusetts-Lowell draws on interdisciplinary work in dietetics, public health, and physical therapy. The BSN runs 3.5 to four years, with senior-year clinical experience across 250 sites: acute care hospitals, long-term care, schools, and occupational health settings. Placement sites include Boston Children's, Brigham and Women's, and Holy Family Hospital.

• Program: BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D. in nursing
• Campus: Lowell, Massachusetts
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $16,082 per year for in-state undergraduate tuition; $34,450 per year for out-of-state undergraduate tuition; $15,576 per year for in-state graduate tuition; $27,650 per year for out-of-state graduate tuition
• Admission Requirements: Varies by degree; BSN candidates need a minimum 3.0 GPA; official transcripts; SAT or ACT scores
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $64,706 for bachelor's graduates and $84,653 for graduate-school graduates, according to College Scorecard

Westfield State University offers an RN-to-BSN for nurses who already hold an associate degree, finishable in as few as 12 months. Most students complete the online and on-campus mix in 12 to 24 months. The curriculum covers patient safety, research, ethics, technology, and healthcare policy. Westfield accepts up to 90 transfer credits and starts cohorts in September and January.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Westfield, Massachusetts
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $970 per credit for in-state undergraduate tuition; $7,050 per term for out-of-state undergraduate tuition
• Admission Requirements: Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited program; current RN license; minimum 2.75 GPA; an academic or professional reference
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $68,331 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Massachusetts

Match the program to your academic and career goals, then compare tuition, length, and financial aid. Confirm the school is accredited, and read its NCLEX scores and graduation rates as quality signals.

Why Become a Nurse in Massachusetts

Massachusetts RNs and APRNs earn near the top of the national pay scale. The state has also enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Governor Healey signed the legislation in November 2024. Implementation is still underway, so a compact license is not yet usable for practice in Massachusetts, and nurses must hold a Massachusetts license until the board completes the process. Once it is operational, Massachusetts will join the roughly 40 states already in the compact, giving local nurses a faster path to multistate practice.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Massachusetts

Massachusetts RNs average around $108,000 a year, among the top five states in the country and well above the national median of $93,600 (BLS). Nurse practitioners earn well into the six figures here too. The catch is cost of living, which ranks among the highest in the nation, so the strong wages partly offset higher expenses rather than translating dollar for dollar.

Demand for nurses keeps rising statewide, in line with national growth. Pay runs highest in the more densely populated eastern metros near the coast, while the less-populated western part of the state trends lower. Ranked highest to lowest, the top-paying Massachusetts metros for RNs are Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, Leominster-Gardner, Worcester, Barnstable Town, and Springfield (BLS).

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Massachusetts

To become an RN or APRN in Massachusetts, finish a state-board-approved nursing program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for licensure. Both roles carry continuing requirements to keep the license active.

RN Requirements

Graduate from an accredited program with an ADN or a BSN. Before licensure, complete a one-time training course on diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's and dementia. Then pass the NCLEX-RN and submit your licensure application. RNs complete 15 contact hours and renew by their birthday in even-numbered years. The initial application fee is $275; renewal is $120. All materials are available through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

APRN Requirements

You need an unencumbered RN license plus an MSN or DNP. Graduate coursework includes pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, and pharmacotherapeutics. After passing a national certification exam recognized by the Massachusetts board, apply for licensure. The application fee is $150; APRN renewal is $180.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Massachusetts

How long does it take to become an RN in Massachusetts?

An ADN takes about two years; a BSN takes four. Many employers prefer BSN holders, and some Massachusetts schools offer ADN-to-BSN bridge programs to close that gap.

How do I become an RN in Massachusetts?

Complete a state-approved, accredited program that prepares you for the NCLEX-RN, then pass the exam before applying for licensure.

What is the salary range for nurses in Massachusetts?

RN pay spans roughly the low $70,000s at the 25th percentile to well over $115,000 at the top (BLS). Massachusetts ranks among the highest-paying states for both RNs and nurse practitioners.

How much is nursing school in Massachusetts?

It depends on the school and degree. Public universities like Framingham State sit near the lower end of tuition, while private schools like Endicott run substantially higher.