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2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Massachusetts

39 Colleges in the United States
$24,261 Avg Student Debt
$57,994 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Badge [Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Massachusetts

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools

1

Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,988. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $75,351. Set against $15,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,125. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Springfield Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,135 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,769. That is a strong return on a $17,135 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes Massachusetts Bay Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Students looking for strong value in registered 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,125. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $74,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.

6

Bunker Hill Community College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,971 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $72,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,175 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $74,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Greenfield Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $75,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Holyoke Community College came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $20,880 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $73,404 early in their careers. Set against $20,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

North Shore Community College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,663 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $72,803 early in their careers. Set against $19,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Massasoit Community College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,866. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $72,980. Set against $16,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

Cape Cod Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,000, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,053 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,350. Set against $18,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Quinsigamond Community College earned the #13 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $74,992. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt.

14

Worcester State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $75,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

15

Fitchburg State University came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered 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. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.

16

Berkshire Community College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pittsfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,712, with out-of-state students paying around $11,328. Students borrow a median of $22,753 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,083. Set against $22,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Salem State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $94,196 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

Framingham State University placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.

19

Westfield State University came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered 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. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.

20

University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $92,749. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.

21
Quincy College crest
Quincy College
Quincy, MA

Quincy College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Quincy College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $8,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,600. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,325. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $83,775. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.

23

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,343 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.

24

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,548 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $95,758 early in their careers. Set against $29,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

25
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $95,566. That is a strong return on a $27,916 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:

26
27
28
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA
29
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, MA
30
31
32
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA
33
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA
34
35
Laboure College crest
Laboure College
Milton, MA
36
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
37
38
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA
39
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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