2024 Rankings: The 50 Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts

UMass Medical School is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the leading medical schools in the nation for primary care education. UMMS’s graduate school of nursing, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, offers master’s degrees, post-master’s certificates, and doctoral degrees. It stands out as the only publicly funded nursing school in the commonwealth with a sole focus on graduate education. It is no surprise, then, that their direct entry MSN program has boasted an exceptional NCLEX pass rate of 94% over the past decade.

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is always innovating. In 2007, its School of Nursing was one of the first four institutions in the country to create an accredited DNP program. The school introduced a holistic Mind Body Spirit program in 2011 and a Global Health Nursing certification program in 2013. More than 80% of the school’s faculty members possess a doctoral degree. MGH Institute students perform very well on licensure and certification exams. Prelicensure BSN students have achieved an 87% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, while their counterparts in the direct entry MSN program scored a 91% first-time pass rate over that time period. Advanced practice students perform similarly well on their APRN certification exams.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at UMass Amherst was the first in the state to offer a DNP program and among the first to offer a publicly supported PhD program. The online MSN program is also consistently ranked among the top dozen in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. UMass Amherst offers a breadth of graduate options including three MSN tracks (clinical nurse leader, nursing education, nursing studies), three DNP nurse practitioner specialties (adult-gerontology primary care, family, psychiatric-mental health), and two other DNP programs (public health nurse leader, post-master’s completion). At the undergraduate level, the College of Nursing offers a traditional baccalaureate program, an accelerated BSN for non-nursing degree-holders, and an online RN-to-BSN pathway. Over the past decade, prelicensure students have passed the NCLEX exam at an 89% rate on their first attempt, including a 93% pass rate in 2020. UMass Amherst’s recently renovated facilities include a nursing simulation lab with five state-of-the-art rooms, a 16-hospital-bed area, and two clinical exam rooms.

Fully equipped laboratories, intensive clinical experiences, and small class sizes are several of the benefits that Endicott nursing students enjoy. A typical nursing class has between 10 and 36 students, and clinical groups average seven students per instructor. The BSN curriculum includes a minimum of 920 clinical practice hours, for which the school has an affiliation with 60 local healthcare facilities. In the final semester, an experienced preceptor mentors each student during a 144-hour internship. This hands-on instruction has helped Endicott’s BSN graduates pass the NCLEX exam at an 87% rate over the past decade. Graduate nursing students can choose from Endicott’s four MSN specializations, three post-master’s certificates, and a nursing PhD program.

UMass Boston is the ninth-largest nursing school in the country and proudly offers the only publicly supported nursing program in the greater Boston area. The school graduates a significant number of racially and ethnically diverse baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral students. UMass Boston is known for its abundant nursing resources, including affiliations with 200+ healthcare organizations and an on-campus Center for Clinical Education and Research. The school graduates approximately 200 BSN students annually. It also provides MSN tracks for aspiring family nurse practitioners, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, and adult-gerontology acute care clinical nurse specialists.

Graduates from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are the #1 salary earners in New England, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Spread across three campus locations – Boston, Worcester, and Manchester – MCPHS is one of the few private universities in the country specializing solely in the education of healthcare professionals. Nursing students receive a broad-based education that prepares them well for licensure exams and future practice. For example, BSN students at the school’s Worcester and Manchester campuses have both averaged a 92% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduate nursing students can choose from two MSN nurse practitioner tracks and a DNP program, all offered 100% online.

The Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Nursing Department at Worcester State University has educated nurses for forty years. The department provides three undergraduate nursing tracks: traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, and LPN-to-BSN. Prelicensure BSN students have passed the NCLEX exam at a phenomenal 96% rate over the past decade, including a perfect 100% pass rate in three of the past five years. Worcester State’s MSN program is offered in two fields: community / public health nursing and nursing education. Designed for flexible scheduling, it offers blended learning between face-to-face classes and online study. The school also provides a post-master’s certificate program in nursing education.

Bay Path University is an independent nonprofit institution that has educated students since 1897. The school serves more than 3,000 individuals today, including hundreds enrolled in the nursing programs. The American Women’s College of Bay Path University conducts an RN-to-BSN degree completion program with coursework that can be completed entirely online. Applicants must hold an active license and be in good standing as a registered nurse. If so, a minimum of 30 transfer credits and possibly up to 84 transfer credits may be applied towards the BSN degree. Depending on the number of transferrable credits, students can expect to complete the degree in 18-24 months. Bay Path University also offers an online DNP program through its graduate division. The DNP curriculum offers both BSN and MSN entry points, and it prepares graduates to serve as family nurse practitioners. Both the RN-to-BSN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Curry College was the first nursing program in the state of Massachusetts to earn accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The School of Nursing offers three BSN pathways (traditional, accelerated second degree, RN-to-BSN) and two MSN specializations (nursing administration, nursing education). Curry College’s location in the Boston metropolitan area enables students to experience dynamic, hands-on learning at some of the best medical facilities in the world. Clinical rotations begin during sophomore year at a wide range of urban and suburban institutions, with rotations that include pediatrics, maternity care, and mental health. Curry College graduates approximately 100 prelicensure BSN students each year. These individuals have averaged an 87% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, including a stellar 97% pass rate in 2018.

The Nursing Department at Framingham State offers a single undergraduate program in nursing, which is only available to registered nurses pursuing their BSN completion. At the graduate level, Framingham State has MSN concentrations in nursing education and nursing leadership. MSN-educated nurses can also complete a post-master’s certificate in either area. Graduate students can pursue several specialty certifications at the end of their studies. These include the ANCC’s Nurse Executive certification, a Clinical Nurse Leader certification offered by the Commission of Nurse Certifications, and the NLN’s Certified Nurse Educator certification.

The BSN program at Westfield State University is part of the Nursing & Allied Health Department. The traditional prelicensure BSN curriculum includes coursework across both the sciences and the liberal arts. Sample courses include Community Health Nursing, Pathophysiology & Pharmacology, and Principles of Sociology. WSU’s program has several distinguishing features including small class sizes, a formal one-year student-to-student mentorship program, a patient simulation laboratory with video and voice recording equipment, and a capstone preceptorship program that allows students to work at healthcare organizations during their last semester under RN supervision. The university also offers a hybrid RN-to-BSN program that allows students to take classes at either Westfield or Springfield Technical Community College.

Merrimack College was founded in March 1947 as the Augustinian College of the Merrimack Valley. Nearly 22,000 students have graduated from Merrimack over its seventy-year history. The School of Health Sciences offers a prelicensure BSN program that combines rigorous coursework with local healthcare partnerships. The curriculum incorporates hands-on learning opportunities so that students become safe, compassionate caregivers as well as leaders in the nursing profession. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Upon successful completion, they can pursue careers in a variety of healthcare settings including acute care centers, ambulatory and outpatient clinics, community centers, hospitals, public health services, and skilled nursing facilities.

In 1998, Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing collaborated with Regis College to design and launch a new ADN program. The joint curriculum awards an associate of science degree with a major in nursing. Clinical experiences are offered at major Boston teaching hospitals, suburban hospitals, long-term care facilities, and a variety of community, home care, and social service agencies. The program shares its campus with Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Courtyard Nursing Care Center, both affiliates of Hallmark Health. The Lawrence Memorial / Regis College ADN program produces 100+ newly minted nurses annually, with a strong NCLEX pass rate of 87% over the past decade. Graduates of the ADN program can pursue two different pathways to earn a BSN degree from Regis College.

Becker College was founded in 1784 as Leicester Academy. It was the first nonsectarian academy in New England to accept female students. Today, Becker College is a private career-focused institution that serves more than 2,000 students across dozens of degree programs. The School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers two pathways to an ADN degree (traditional, LPN advanced placement) and two pathways to a BSN degree (prelicensure, RN-to-BSN). Graduates of the ADN program have consistently performed exceptionally well on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, earning a 95% first-time pass rate over the past decade. The first five graduating classes of the traditional BSN program have also done well, averaging an 89% NCLEX pass rate.

The nursing program at Anna Maria College offers a four-year prelicensure BSN for entry-level students and an RN-to-BSN completion program for registered nurses. The prelicensure BSN program is 120 credit hours in length. Graduates have enjoyed an 85% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam since the program’s inception. The RN-to-BSN pathway is designed for working nurses who already hold either an ADN or nursing diploma. The program’s flexible online curriculum is built on a foundation of holistic care with a powerful emphasis on multicultural and community nursing.

The Labouré College nursing program allows graduates to begin their nursing employment two years earlier than a traditional four-year program. Students first complete an ADN program and pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination to earn their RN credentials. The college’s ADN graduates have averaged a 74% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX exam over the past decade. Newly licensed RNs can then enroll in Labouré’s RN-to-BSN degree and complete their BSN coursework while they earn valuable work experience. Some students take a break from their studies and work for several years before returning to complete their BSN.

Blue Hills Regional Technical School offers vocational programs in the areas of healthcare, science, and technology. The nursing program at Blue Hills offers an LPN pathway for post-secondary adults. This immersive fulltime program provides a rigorous combination of nursing theory and clinical practice in preparation for the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination. Students must attend classes for forty weeks from September to June, Monday through Friday. The program typically graduates 30-40 LPN candidates annually. These students have averaged an exceptional 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.

Assabet Valley Regional Technical School offers a ten-month fulltime certificate program in licensed practical nursing. The school accepts a new cohort of approximately forty LPN students annually, with daytime classes conducted five days per week from late August through June. Students are trained to provide direct patient care, including the administration of medications and treatments. They are also prepared to manage and delegate the nursing care provided by unlicensed personnel, particularly in long-term care settings. At the conclusion of their studies, graduates may pursue LPN licensure by sitting for the NCLEX-PN examination. AVRTS students have averaged an impressive 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The school also promotes pathways for graduates to continue their education at the associate degree, bachelor’s degree, and even graduate level.

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School has been in continuous existence for fifty years. The school provides approximately twenty high school technical programs, as well as adult programs in dental assisting, HVAC, and licensed practical nursing. The LPN program has two options: full-time day and part-time evening. Over three terms, students in both tracks will take courses that cover critical areas like growth and development, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and family-centered nursing. Clinical practice, laboratory work, and simulation experiences take place across all terms. Clinical experiences are completed at local sites like Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Catholic Memorial Home, and New Bedford Rehab Hospital. Graduates of BP Tech’s LPN program are extremely well prepared for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination, averaging an extraordinary 99% first-time pass rate over the past decade.

Established in 1970, Middlesex Community College provides more than 80 degree and certificate programs to nearly 11,000 students from all walks of life. MCC is one of the few community colleges to offer an extensive study abroad program with experiences in countries like Greece, Spain, Belize, and China. The college’s Nursing and Allied Health Division conducts a nurse aide certificate program and an associate degree in nursing. The ADN program, which has a 97% job placement rate within six months of graduation, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Over the past decade, Middlesex Community College’s ADN graduates have averaged a solid 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate.

Bunker Hill Community College is a fully accredited two-year institution that serves nearly 20,000 students annually through more than 100 associate degree, certificate, and transfer programs. The Division of Health Sciences conducts an ADN program that consists of nursing theory, laboratory work, simulation exercises, and clinical practice at local hospitals and healthcare facilities. Graduates of the program are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Over the past decade, ADN students have averaged an 86% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Bunker Hill Community College also has transfer agreements with major universities such as University of Massachusetts Boston and Framingham State University, allowing ADN graduates to seamlessly pursue baccalaureate education.

Quinsigamond Community College offers LPN and ADN programs. Both programs feature clinical experiences at a number of sites within the Worcester County area. QCC’s nursing graduates are prepared for direct patient care in a variety of healthcare settings, including clinics, extended care facilities, home and community health agencies, and hospitals. The ADN program also prepares students for further study at four-year colleges and universities. QCC’s nursing students have consistently enjoyed a 100% job placement rate. They have also performed well on their licensure examinations. Over the past decade, LPN students have achieved an 89% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam, while ADN students have achieved an 88% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.

Mount Wachusett Community College offers two options for aspiring nurses: a certificate in practical nursing and an associate degree in professional nursing. The LPN certificate is a competitive 45-credit program that accepts a limited number of students to each cohort. The ADN program is similarly competitive and offers two pathways: a traditional two-year program and a bridge program that allows LPNs with one year of work experience to immediately enter second-semester nursing courses. Over the past decade, MWCC’s ADN students have scored an 84% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Their LPN counterparts have achieved an impressive 92% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.

Established in 1946, Holyoke Community College was Massachusetts’ first two-year college. The school offers close to 100 degree and certificate programs, including flexible options for working adults, across its Center for Health Education, Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Education, and the new HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute. The Center for Health Education is home to HCC’s nursing programs. Instruction and hands-on training take place in multi-equipped classrooms, high-fidelity simulation labs, and regional healthcare centers. Aspiring nurses can pursue an LPN certificate or one of two associate degree pathways (traditional, LPN bridge). Across nursing programs, HCC graduates are well prepared for their licensure exams. LPN students have averaged a 91% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade, while ADN students have averaged an 88% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over that timeframe.

Springfield Technical Community College offers an ADN program with a rigorous curriculum of classroom lecture, nursing skills laboratory, and patient simulation in the school’s nationally recognized SIMS Medical Center. Clinical rotations take place each semester in a variety of hospitals and healthcare agencies throughout Springfield and the Pioneer Valley region of Western Massachusetts. The ADN program admits 90-100 students each fall. It is designed as a two-year day program, with clinical experiences that may take place during evening and weekend hours. Over the past decade, STCC graduates have maintained a solid 86% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.