Massachusetts has more than 20 colleges producing BSN graduates, including some of the most selective nursing schools in the country. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine getting offers from Boston College and the University of Massachusetts in the same spring. One is a highly selective private university and the other a large public flagship. The differences in cost, graduation rates and early earnings may surprise you.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Massachusetts that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Massachusetts nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeastern University | Boston | Private nonprofit | 91% | 96 | $84,377 | $69,289 |
| 2 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill | Private nonprofit | 90% | 95 | $86,406 | $73,508 |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst | Public | 82% | 100 | $85,138 | $18,487 |
| 4 | Simmons University | Boston | Private nonprofit | 75% | 155 | $83,265 | $48,240 |
| 5 | Endicott College | Beverly | Private nonprofit | 75% | 129 | $82,647 | $42,650 |
| 6 | Assumption University | Worcester | Private nonprofit | 74% | 23 | n/a | $53,420 |
| 7 | Regis College | Weston | Private nonprofit | 72% | 151 | $82,237 | $51,420 |
| 8 | Merrimack College | North Andover | Private nonprofit | 70% | 66 | n/a | $55,852 |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Lowell | Public | 67% | 103 | $82,179 | $17,664 |
| 10 | Emmanuel College | Boston | Private nonprofit | 66% | 42 | $87,438 | $50,694 |
| 11 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | Chicopee | Private nonprofit | 66% | 99 | $89,194 | $44,626 |
| 12 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Boston | Private nonprofit | 62% | 245 | $84,286 | $42,480 |
| 13 | Worcester State University | Worcester | Public | 59% | 47 | $85,313 | $12,344 |
| 14 | Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg | Public | 54% | 137 | $85,322 | $11,886 |
| 15 | Westfield State University | Westfield | Public | 51% | 36 | $86,869 | $12,616 |
| 16 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth | Public | 51% | 146 | $81,744 | $16,233 |
| 17 | Curry College | Milton | Private nonprofit | 51% | 130 | $83,483 | $49,420 |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts-Boston | Boston | Public | 50% | 366 | $83,750 | $16,558 |
| 19 | Salem State University | Salem | Public | 49% | 174 | $79,151 | $12,708 |
| 20 | Anna Maria College | Paxton | Private nonprofit | 46% | 26 | $86,447 | $45,920 |
| 21 | American International College | Springfield | Private nonprofit | 42% | 52 | $92,494 | $45,530 |
Also offering a BSN in Massachusetts (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | Boston | Private nonprofit | n/a | 286 | $84,377 | n/a |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | Boston | Private nonprofit | n/a | 122 | $84,342 | n/a |
| Laboure College of Healthcare | Milton | Private nonprofit | n/a | 81 | $92,611 | $30,637 |
Top Massachusetts nursing schools reviewed
1. Northeastern University
Northeastern University’s School of Nursing in Boston is known for its co-op model, which builds paid clinical work experience into the degree, and tops our Massachusetts list.
- Graduation rate: 91%, number 1 in Massachusetts on our list
- Programme size: about 96 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $84,377 one year after graduating
- Cost: $69,289 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 5% (selective)
2. Boston College
Boston College’s Connell School of Nursing in Chestnut Hill is one of the most selective nursing schools in the country.
- Graduation rate: 90%, number 2 in Massachusetts on our list
- Programme size: about 95 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $86,406 one year after graduating
- Cost: $73,508 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 16% (selective)
3. University of Massachusetts-Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is the state’s flagship public nursing school, at much lower in-state tuition.
- Graduation rate: 82%, number 3 in Massachusetts on our list
- Programme size: about 100 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $85,138 one year after graduating
- Cost: $18,487 in-state tuition ($41,759 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 60%
4. Simmons University
Simmons University in Boston has a long history in nursing education, close to the Longwood Medical Area’s major hospitals.
- Graduation rate: 75%, number 4 in Massachusetts on our list
- Programme size: about 155 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $83,265 one year after graduating
- Cost: $48,240 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 70%
5. Endicott College
Endicott College in Beverly, north of Boston, offers a private BSN with built-in internships.
- Graduation rate: 75%, number 5 in Massachusetts on our list
- Programme size: about 129 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $82,647 one year after graduating
- Cost: $42,650 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 71%
Other large programmes include the University of Massachusetts Boston, Lowell and Dartmouth campuses, and MCPHS University in Boston.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Massachusetts
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Massachusetts offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 24 colleges in Massachusetts produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 2,907 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Massachusetts nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Northeastern University has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 91%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Massachusetts?
University of Massachusetts-Boston produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 366 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Massachusetts?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $79,151 to $92,611, with a typical (median) figure of about $84,377. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Massachusetts?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $11,886 to $18,487 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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