2023 Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 37 schools in Massachusetts to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Mount Wachusett Community College the best school in Massachusetts for nursing students working on their degree. Gardner, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 687 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from MWCC accumulate an average of $10,512 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, MWCC graduates make an average of $39,608 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bay State College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts list. Bay State College is a very small private for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 137 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,266 in student loans.After graduating from Bay State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,982 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Boston College is a great place for nursing students. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 5,067 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Boston College accumulate an average of $38,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $843 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Boston College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,535 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Shore Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts list. Danvers, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 887 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,884 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, North Shore Community College graduates make an average of $42,262 annually.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Bunker Hill Community College is a great place for nursing students. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,329 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,987 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BHCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,456 during the early years of their career.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 851 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from STCC accumulate an average of $7,275 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from STCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,255 during the early years of their career.
Bristol Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Bristol is a medium-sized public school situated in Fall River, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,055 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bristol accumulate an average of $8,783 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bristol graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,963 during the early year of their career.
Fisher College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Fisher College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 271 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,276 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $529 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fisher College graduates make an average of $42,513 annually.
With a ranking of #9, Greenfield Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 274 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Greenfield Community College accumulate an average of $8,805 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Greenfield Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,181 during the early years of their career.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 669 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,560 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NECC graduates make an average of $39,221 annually.
Massasoit Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Brockton, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 837 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Massasoit Community College accumulate an average of $10,174 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Massasoit Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,161 during the early years of their career.
Northeastern University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 9,235 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,741 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $463, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Northeastern, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $63,894 during the early years of their career.
Simmons University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Simmons is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,962 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Simmons accumulate an average of $56,133 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $555, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Simmons graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,531 during the early year of their career.
Cape Cod Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. Cape Cod Community College is a public institution located in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 487 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College accumulate an average of $13,292 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Cape Cod Community College graduates make an average of $42,321 annually.
With a ranking of #15, Bay Path University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Longmeadow, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 940 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bay Path accumulate an average of $45,039 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bay Path graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,114 during the early year of their career.
Berkshire Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts list. BCC is a public institution located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 277 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from BCC accumulate an average of $15,027 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from BCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,663 during the early years of their career.
Fitchburg State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Fitchburg State is a public institution located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,928 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,506 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $236, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Fitchburg State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,148 during the early year of their career.
Endicott College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,254 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $20,659 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $485 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Endicott graduates make an average of $52,248 annually.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts list. This medium-sized public school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1,287 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,241 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Quinsigamond Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,219 during the early year of their career.
Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 3,052 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,782 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $468. During the early years of their career, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network graduates make an average of $63,021 annually.
Full Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network Report
University of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts ranking. UMass Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,752 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,448 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $322 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMass Amherst graduates make an average of $47,385 annually.
Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 557 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from MassBay Community College accumulate an average of $8,582 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MassBay Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,725 during the early year of their career.
Roxbury Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 135 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Roxbury Community College graduates make an average of $38,494 annually.
Anna Maria College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts list. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Paxton, Massachusetts that handed out 537 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Anna Maria accumulate an average of $24,823 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Anna Maria graduates make an average of $60,713 annually.
Westfield State University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Westfield, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 1,413 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,861 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $231, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Westfield, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,701 during the early years of their career.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.