College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in the New England Region

90 Colleges in the United States
10,624 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$83,762 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 102 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in the New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in the New England Region.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Our analysis ranked Yale University the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 199 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Yale University earn around $133,137 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Yale University

2
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

A rank of #2 makes Boston College one of the top schools for registered nursing. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 151 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Boston College earn around $95,349 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Boston College

3

A rank of #3 makes Quinnipiac University one of the top schools for registered nursing. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hamden. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 278 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $116,250 early in their careers. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Quinnipiac University

4
Fairfield University crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 187 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fairfield University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fairfield University generally make around $119,878. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full registered nursing program report for Fairfield University

5

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #5. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 261 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Rhode Island earn around $95,762 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $26,390 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Rhode Island

6

University Of Connecticut came in at #6 for registered nursing this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 107 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $117,021 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Connecticut

7

University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. 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. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 103 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $92,749 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

8

Northeastern University came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 158 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $123,375. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northeastern University

9

Capital Community College earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. There were roughly 474 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Capital Community College in the most recent data year. Registered 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. Get the full registered nursing details for Capital Community College

10

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 118 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $95,758. Students borrow a median of $29,548 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

11

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 99 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at College Of Our Lady Of The Elms in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $83,775 early in their careers. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for College Of Our Lady Of The Elms

12

Northeastern University Global Network placed #12 among the best registered nursing schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 286 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $123,375 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Northeastern University Global Network

13

Fitchburg State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Fitchburg State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Fitchburg State University awarded about 137 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $80,228. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full registered nursing program report for Fitchburg State University

14

Southern Connecticut State University landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 172 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southern Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $100,616 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,837 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Southern Connecticut State University

15

Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences placed #15 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences graduates 61% of students within six years. About 275 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences generally make around $93,448. Typical student debt for the program is $34,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences

16
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 129 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Endicott College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $88,417. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Endicott College

17

Emmanuel College Massachusetts ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 43 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Emmanuel College Massachusetts in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn around $44,194 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,866. Read more about the registered nursing program at Emmanuel College Massachusetts

18
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of Vermont awarded about 114 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $86,571. University Of Vermont graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Vermont

19

Salve Regina University earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Salve Regina University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Salve Regina University generally make around $78,876. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Salve Regina University

20

Sacred Heart University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 253 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Sacred Heart University earn around $107,149 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,200 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Sacred Heart University

21

University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 51 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $95,552 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,343. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Massachusetts Boston

22

Charter Oak State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. Charter Oak State College awarded about 29 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,584. Read more about the registered nursing program at Charter Oak State College

23

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 115 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn around $111,076 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

24
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford earned the #24 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of West Hartford. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Hartford in the most recent year. Registered 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. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Hartford

25
Saint Anselm College crest
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH

Saint Anselm College earned the #25 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Saint Anselm College awarded about 94 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered 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. Get the full registered nursing details for Saint Anselm College

Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:

26
27
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA
28
29
30
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA
31
32
33
34
Colby Sawyer College crest
Colby Sawyer College
New London, NH
35
36
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA
37
38
39
40
41
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for registered nursing:

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 102 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options