2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,988 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $70,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Springfield Technical Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $17,135 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,008. Nursing graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #5. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $74,427 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bunker Hill Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,971. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $22,175 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $74,618. That is a strong return on a $22,175 median debt.
Greenfield Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $75,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,880. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,404. That is a strong return on a $20,880 median debt.
North Shore Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $19,663 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $72,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,663 median debt.
Massasoit Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,866. Nursing graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $72,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,866 median debt.
Cape Cod Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,000, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. Students borrow a median of $18,053 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Quinsigamond Community College is a large public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,789. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fitchburg State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $80,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Berkshire Community College placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,712, with out-of-state students paying around $11,328. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,753 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Berkshire Community College earn a median of $69,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salem State University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $94,196. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Framingham State University came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $95,426 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Westfield State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $81,136 early in their careers. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $92,749. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,325. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $83,775 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.
Quincy College landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,938. Students borrow a median of $15,600 to complete the nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,506. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #23 among the best values for nursing. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,343 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $95,552. That is a strong return on a $30,343 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $99,349 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #25 among the best values for nursing. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,548 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $95,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
- 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.
