by our College Data Analytics TeamNursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 105 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in the New England Region.
Our analysis ranked Yale University the best school in the country for a degree in nursing. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 199 nursing degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $133,137 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. See the full nursing program report for Yale University
A rank of #2 makes Boston College one of the top schools for nursing. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 240 nursing degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Boston College earn a median of $95,349 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250. Read more about the nursing program at Boston College
Quinnipiac University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #3. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Quinnipiac University awarded about 381 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $116,250 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Quinnipiac University
Fairfield University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 260 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fairfield University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $119,878 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in nursing from Fairfield University
University Of Rhode Island is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. About 300 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $95,762 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $26,390 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Rhode Island
University Of Connecticut ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 333 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $117,021 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Connecticut
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #7 among the best nursing schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates 65% of students within six years. About 135 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $92,749. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Northeastern University earned the #8 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 185 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $123,375 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full nursing program report for Northeastern University
Capital Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Capital Community College awarded about 474 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $76,364 early in their careers. Capital Community College graduates carry a median of $17,876 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Capital Community College
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 177 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $95,758 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,548. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms placed #11 among the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 156 nursing students who graduated with this degree at College Of Our Lady Of The Elms in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn around $83,775 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Northeastern University Global Network placed #12 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 286 nursing degrees were awarded at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeastern University Global Network generally make around $123,375. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Northeastern University Global Network
Fitchburg State University earned the #13 position for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Fitchburg State University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 141 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $80,228. Fitchburg State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Fitchburg State University
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #14 spot for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Connecticut State University awarded about 187 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Southern Connecticut State University earn around $100,616 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,837. Get the full nursing details for Southern Connecticut State University
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earned the #15 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 329 nursing degrees were awarded at Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences generally make around $93,448. Students borrow a median of $34,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Endicott College landed the #16 spot for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 160 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Endicott College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $88,417 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Endicott College
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #17 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 nursing degrees were awarded at Emmanuel College Massachusetts in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn around $44,194 in the first couple years of their career. Emmanuel College Massachusetts graduates carry a median of $26,866 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Emmanuel College Massachusetts
University Of Vermont landed the #18 spot for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Burlington. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 142 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Vermont in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $86,571. Typical student debt for the program is $25,257. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Vermont
Salve Regina University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 151 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Salve Regina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Salve Regina University earn around $78,876 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in nursing from Salve Regina University
Sacred Heart University placed #20 among the best nursing schools. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 421 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $107,149 early in their careers. Sacred Heart University graduates carry a median of $29,200 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Sacred Heart University
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #21 spot for nursing this year. 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 436 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $95,552 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,343. See the full nursing program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston
Charter Oak State College came in at #22 for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of New Britain. Charter Oak State College graduates 100% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Charter Oak State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $62,864. Charter Oak State College graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Charter Oak State College
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #23 spot for nursing this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus awarded about 179 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $111,076 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
University Of Hartford earned the #24 position for nursing this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 86 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Hartford in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $104,775 early in their careers. University Of Hartford graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for University Of Hartford
Saint Anselm College placed #25 among the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 94 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Anselm College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Anselm College generally make around $79,609. Saint Anselm College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Saint Anselm College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing ranking:26
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A few more nursing schools worth a look:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 105 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
