2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region ranking. This report analyzed 36 schools in the New England Region to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Eastern Maine Community College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the New England Region . Eastern Maine Community College is a small public school situated in Bangor, Maine. It awarded 43 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastern Maine Community College are $6,745 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,325 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Eastern Maine Community College. In 2019-2020 about 34% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 36 schools in the New England Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Northern Maine Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Northern Maine Community College is a very small public school situated in Presque Isle, Maine. It awarded 25 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Northern Maine Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,710 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,066 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Northern Maine Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Bunker Hill Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in the New England Region . Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BHCC are $10,224 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,991 in loans while pursuing their degree.
BHCC is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
BHCC also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region list, coming in at #4.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Bristol Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Bristol is a medium-sized public school situated in Fall River, Massachusetts. It awarded 84 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Bristol undergraduate students pay an average of $10,152 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,401 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bristol. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Bristol also did well on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Out of the 36 schools in the New England Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Springfield Technical Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Springfield Technical Community College is a small public school located in Springfield, Massachusetts that handed out 72 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
STCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,728 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,475 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at STCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
STCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region list.
Massasoit Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Brockton, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Massasoit Community College are $10,104 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,132 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Massasoit Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #7, North Shore Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Danvers, Massachusetts, and it awarded 59 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
North Shore Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,920 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,244 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that North Shore Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Shore Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region list.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region list. South Portland, Maine is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SMCC are $6,754 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,222 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SMCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cape Cod Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 67 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Cape Cod Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,296 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,980 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Cape Cod Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Quincy College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Quincy, Massachusetts, and it awarded 40 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Quincy College are $7,176 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,537 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Quincy College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Gateway Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region ranking. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 84 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gateway Community College are $13,448 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Gateway Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Gateway Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region list.
Berkshire Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region ranking. BCC is located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BCC are $11,108 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,839 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #13, Central Maine Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Auburn, Maine, the small public school handed out 47 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Central Maine Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,744 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,306 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Central Maine Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Community College of Rhode Island came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region ranking. CCRI is located in Warwick, Rhode Island and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 226 associate degrees to qualified students.
CCRI undergraduate students pay an average of $13,260 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,624 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CCRI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Maine at Presque Isle came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region ranking. This small public school is located in Presque Isle, Maine, and it awarded 4 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UMPI are $12,905 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $29,211 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UMPI does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.
Greenfield Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Greenfield Community College is a small public school situated in Greenfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 42 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Greenfield Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,762 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,255 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Greenfield Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Roxbury Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Roxbury Community College is located in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Roxbury Community College are $11,088 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,778 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Roxbury Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region ranking. Quinsigamond Community College is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Quinsigamond Community College are $10,774 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,343 in student loans.
Quinsigamond Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #19, Capital Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Capital Community College is a public institution located in Hartford, Connecticut. The school has a small population, and it awarded 120 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Capital Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,548 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,245 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Capital Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Northern Essex Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region list. Located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 20 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NECC are $11,328 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,610 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at NECC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
River Valley Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region ranking. River Valley Community College is a very small public school located in Claremont, New Hampshire that handed out 29 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NH Community Technical College - Claremont are $15,190 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,294 in student loans.
NH Community Technical College - Claremont does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #22, Naugatuck Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Naugatuck Valley Community College is a small public school located in Waterbury, Connecticut that handed out 117 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Naugatuck Valley Community College are $13,468 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,533 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Naugatuck Valley Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
NHTI-Concord’s Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Concord, New Hampshire is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.
NHTI undergraduate students pay an average of $15,450 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,718 in student loans.
NHTI does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Middlesex Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Bedford, Massachusetts, the medium-sized public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Middlesex Community College are $12,120 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,346 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Middlesex Community College. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Holyoke Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Holyoke Community College is a public institution located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Holyoke Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,322 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,288 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Holyoke Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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.
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