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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the early-career earnings of their nursing graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose nursing graduates go on to earn the most.
Northeastern University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools in Massachusetts. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Northeastern University typically earn about $144,726 annually.
Boston College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $129,343.
A rank of #3 makes Regis College one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Regis College earn a median of about $121,553 a year early in their careers.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Massachusetts Boston make a median of around $124,750 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester is a public school located in the city of Worcester. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $116,142.
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences typically earn about $126,342 annually.
Curry College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $113,490.
Simmons College landed the #8 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $122,823.
Mgh Institute Of Health Professions earned the #9 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Mgh Institute Of Health Professions is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Mgh Institute Of Health Professions typically earn about $122,670 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $123,039.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #11 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of about $107,250 a year early in their careers.
American International College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $103,831.
Salem State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Salem State University make a median of around $94,497 per year.
Endicott College earned the #14 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $141,174.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #15 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst typically earn about $118,448 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries nursing graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 15 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.
