Best nursing schools in Massachusetts: Largest to smallest

The nursing sector in Massachusetts is large and diverse, with a wide variety of roles. The state is home to over 140,000 certified nurses. Registered nurses (RNs) are the largest component of this workforce, numbering almost 80,000. Massachusetts also hosts 40,000 nursing assistants, 17,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and a select handful of ~5,000 advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in critical specializations like nurse practitioner, midwife, and anethetist.

Each nursing role has its own education path. In Massachusetts, there are a broad range of nursing education programs available at a diverse selection of schools. The state has almost 40 public institutions including large state universities like University of Massachusetts, which offers nursing programs at each of its five campuses. Massachusetts is also home to about 20 private nursing schools which run the gamut from short certificate programs to extensive graduate education.

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Of course, each type of institution has its own merits. Large public universities typically offer lower tuition and fees while promising a greater pool of students with which to interact and learn. Private colleges offer more favorable student-faculty ratios. Medical Professional Institute is one such private college, with a student-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Aspiring nurses in Massachusetts truly have no lack of choice for pursuing their education. To help organize the options, we’ve listed below the best nursing schools in Massachusetts, ordered from the largest nursing program to the smallest.