2026 Best Nursing Science Schools in the New England Region
Nursing Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools to find the best for nursing science students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing Science in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing science education in the New England Region.
Top Schools in Nursing Science
University Of Rhode Island is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing science. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. About 29 nursing science degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $95,762 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $26,390 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing science program at University Of Rhode Island
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Chicopee. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 nursing science degrees were awarded at College Of Our Lady Of The Elms in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $83,775 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in nursing science from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
A rank of #3 makes University Of Vermont one of the top schools for nursing science. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of Vermont awarded about 28 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $86,571 early in their careers. University Of Vermont graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing science from University Of Vermont
Sacred Heart University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 13 nursing science degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Sacred Heart University earn around $107,149 in the first couple years of their career. Sacred Heart University graduates carry a median of $29,200 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing science from Sacred Heart University
University Of Massachusetts Boston is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing science, ranking #5. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 365 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $95,552. Students borrow a median of $30,343 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing science program at University Of Massachusetts Boston
Salem State University earned the #6 position for nursing science this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Salem State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $94,196 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing science program at Salem State University
Goodwin College came in at #7 for nursing science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of East Hartford. There were roughly 21 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Goodwin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Goodwin College earn around $84,487 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $51,413 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing science program at Goodwin College
University Of Maine At Fort Kent placed #8 among the best nursing science schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Fort Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. About 146 nursing science degrees were awarded at University Of Maine At Fort Kent in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn around $71,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,447 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing science from University Of Maine At Fort Kent
Rivier College placed #9 among the best nursing science schools. Set in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. Rivier College awarded about 244 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Rivier College earn around $83,130 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing science program at Rivier College
Narrow Nursing Science Schools by State
More Nursing Science Rankings
View All Nursing Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.