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2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Massachusetts

41 Colleges in the United States
4,526 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$81,406 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 45 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 Massachusetts

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Massachusetts.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 151 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data 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. Get the full registered nursing details for Boston College

2

University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 103 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $92,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell

3

Northeastern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #3. 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. About 158 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Northeastern University earn around $123,375 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Northeastern University

4

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #4. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 118 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $95,758 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $29,548 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

5

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms awarded about 99 registered nursing degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for College Of Our Lady Of The Elms

6

Northeastern University Global Network ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit university. Northeastern University Global Network awarded about 286 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeastern University Global Network generally make around $123,375. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northeastern University Global Network

7

Fitchburg State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fitchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 137 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $80,228 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Fitchburg State University

8

Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences placed #8 among the best registered nursing schools. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 275 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earn around $93,448 in the first couple years of their career. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences

9
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Endicott College awarded about 129 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $88,417 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at Endicott College

10

Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Emmanuel College Massachusetts graduates 68% of students within six years. About 43 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Emmanuel College Massachusetts in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $44,194 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,866. See the full registered nursing program report for Emmanuel College Massachusetts

11

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 51 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $95,552. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $30,343 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston

12
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing this year. Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Weston. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 771 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Regis College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Regis College earn a median of $100,323 early in their careers. Regis College graduates carry a median of $31,238 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Regis College

13
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Simmons College graduates 72% of students within six years. About 124 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Simmons College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $95,566 in their early career. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $27,916 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Simmons College

14

Springfield Technical Community College came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 66 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Springfield Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $75,769 in their early career. Springfield Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $17,135 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Springfield Technical Community College

15

Worcester State University came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 45 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Worcester State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Worcester State University earn around $75,249 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,849. Read more about the registered nursing program at Worcester State University

16

Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #16 among the best registered nursing schools. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. About 26 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Bay Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,008. See the full registered nursing program report for Massachusetts Bay Community College

17
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA

Curry College placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Curry College awarded about 130 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Curry College earn around $96,366 in the first couple years of their career. Curry College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Curry College

18

Salem State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 174 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Salem State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Salem State University earn around $94,196 in the first couple years of their career. Salem State University graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Salem State University

19

North Shore Community College came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. About 61 registered nursing degrees were awarded at North Shore Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from North Shore Community College earn around $72,803 in the first couple years of their career. North Shore Community College graduates carry a median of $19,663 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at North Shore Community College

20

Bunker Hill Community College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. About 77 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Bunker Hill Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $72,734 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,971 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Bunker Hill Community College

21

Westfield State University placed #21 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Westfield State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 36 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Westfield State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $81,136 in their early career. Westfield State University graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Westfield State University

22

Quinsigamond Community College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 132 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Quinsigamond Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $74,992 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,789. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Quinsigamond Community College

23

Bristol Community College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 71 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Bristol Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $70,855. Bristol Community College graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Bristol Community College

24

Mgh Institute Of Health Professions landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. Mgh Institute Of Health Professions is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Mgh Institute Of Health Professions awarded about 122 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Mgh Institute Of Health Professions earn around $93,210 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,000 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Mgh Institute Of Health Professions

25

Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Gardner. About 93 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mount Wachusett Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Mount Wachusett Community College earn around $74,618 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,175. Get the full registered nursing details for Mount Wachusett Community College

Rest of the Top 41 Registered Nursing Schools

These schools also placed among the best for registered nursing this year:

26
27
Quincy College crest
Quincy College
Quincy, MA
28
29
30
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
31
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA
32
Laboure College crest
Laboure College
Milton, MA
33
34
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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