by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 89 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Framingham State University, our #1 for nursing graduate salaries in the New England Region. Framingham State University is a public school located in the city of Framingham. Early-career nursing graduates from Framingham State University make a median of around $95,426 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Fairfield University one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of about $105,879 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Roxbury Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Roxbury Community College make a median of around $101,458 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Goodwin College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Goodwin College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of East Hartford. Early-career nursing graduates from Goodwin College make a median of around $90,441 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Quinnipiac University one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. Early-career nursing graduates from Quinnipiac University make a median of around $98,844 per year.
Quincy College came in at #6 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Quincy College is a public school located in the suburb of Quincy. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Quincy College typically earn about $81,710 annually.
University Of Bridgeport placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. Nursing graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of about $89,752 a year early in their careers.
Capital Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing salaries this year. Capital Community College is a public school located in the city of New Britain. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $89,425.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #9 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University typically earn about $99,674 annually.
Southern New Hampshire University came in at #10 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,420.
Lawrence Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing landed the #11 spot for nursing salaries this year. Lawrence Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Early-career nursing graduates from Lawrence Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing make a median of around $90,003 per year.
Western Connecticut State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Western Connecticut State University make a median of around $93,863 per year.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #13 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Southern Connecticut State University make a median of around $92,153 per year.
University Of Connecticut placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. University Of Connecticut is a public school located in the town of Storrs. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Connecticut typically earn about $102,294 annually.
Massasoit Community College earned the #15 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Massasoit Community College typically earn about $89,269 annually.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #16 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of about $85,428 a year early in their careers.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of about $92,829 a year early in their careers.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #18 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Northern Essex Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,914.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #19 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of about $86,904 a year early in their careers.
Saint Joseph College placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Saint Joseph College typically earn about $101,161 annually.
Holyoke Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,173.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #22 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of about $78,000 a year early in their careers.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #23 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Springfield Technical Community College is a public school located in the city of Springfield. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,228.
Northeastern University earned the #24 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $116,218 per year.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #25 spot for nursing salaries this year. University Of Rhode Island is a public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Rhode Island make a median of around $94,385 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning nursing graduates:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 89 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.