Massachusetts is famous for seafood, baseball, and Irish Americans. This great state has given us patriots like John F. Kennedy, Paul Revere, and John Adams. The famous Boston Tea Party occurred here, and the people of Massachusetts are proud of their history. Tourists and locals alike find themselves attending Celtics games, visiting historical sites, and eating delicious food. But for nursing schools in Massachusetts, there are many good ones to choose from.
Nursing education in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing approves prelicensure nursing programs in the state under 244 CMR 6.00. Approval is a regulatory action confirming a program meets the Board’s standards, and it is what makes graduates eligible for licensure. It is not the same as accreditation, which is a separate voluntary review carried out by ACEN or CCNE rather than by the Board. Like most states, Massachusetts has several levels of nursing, including LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) and RNs (Registered Nurses).
Several institutions within the state offer a Master’s in Nursing and even a Doctorate in Nursing. Nursing students will have to pass the right exams to become registered, for example, LPN’s will need to pass the NCLEX-PN to receive their license. The board has approved several institutions within the state, so there should be adequate opportunities for all students.
Massachusetts has numerous reputable schools to choose from, spanning research universities, private colleges and community colleges. Among first-time, US-educated candidates in 2025, 87.1% of Massachusetts candidates passed the NCLEX-RN (3,256 of 3,740), a little above the national figure of 86.7%. Within the state the baccalaureate cohort passed at 87.9% and the associate-degree cohort at 85.0%. Pass rates vary far more between individual programs than between degree types, so compare the specific programs you are considering rather than relying on a state average.
Regardless of your institution, nursing students are sure to find numerous opportunities. Thousands of nursing jobs are available in Massachusetts right now. Nurses may head to Boston to work in the many hospitals.
Nurses that are willing to work hard and study constantly should discover there are too many chances to count. If you do well as an LPN, you will find several great RN programs. Registered Nurses that perform well can even become Nurse practitioners and see their own patients. Nurses may even choose to work at student health centers at the many prestigious universities in the state.
Featured programs
Northeastern University School of Nursing
The School of Nursing in Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences aims to prepare students to become leaders as nurse clinicians, educators, scholars, and researchers. The nursing programs at NEU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Aspiring NEU nursing students can choose from a comprehensive set of options for their studies regardless of their current career or academic level. The selection includes a four or five-year traditional BSN which includes several six-month long paid clinical placements that alternate with semesters of academic study. Also available is a 16-month accelerated BSN, online RN to BSN, direct entry MSN, standard MSN with eight concentration options, joint MBA/MSN, a DNP qualification, and a Ph.D. program.
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
617-373-2000
Website: http://www.neu.edu
University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the state university system, and its nursing programs are accredited by CCNE. Published rankings shift year to year and different publishers measure very different things, so check the current edition directly rather than relying on a figure quoted second-hand.
Prospective students without a first degree can apply for the traditional BSN program, which offers small class sizes, advanced labs and the academic resources of a major research university. Admission is competitive and the entering profile changes each cycle, so check the current admissions data published by the university rather than a figure quoted elsewhere.
Other programs on offer include an accelerated BSN, an online RN to BSN, three options for MSN concentrations, both a DNP and Ph.D. program and various nursing-related studies leading to professional certificates.
Skinner Hall
651 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
413-545-0222
Website: http://www.umass.edu/
Simmons University School of Nursing
Undergraduates at Simmons University’s School of Nursing study on campus in Boston’s Longwood medical area on a full-time or part-time basis, with options for evening and summer courses. Simmons renamed itself from Simmons College in 2018; its undergraduate program remains women-centered, while its graduate and online programs enroll students of all genders. A low student-to-faculty ratio, an emphasis on clinical practicums and opportunities for research-based study are hallmarks of the school, which is accredited by CCNE.
A direct entry master’s that leads to an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner qualification is also available for holders of the first degree in a subject other than nursing. Clinical placements for all programs of study leading to RN licensure take place in a selection of teaching hospitals and research centers such as the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Advanced students can also take advantage of a number of online master’s, certificate and doctoral programs.
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
617-521-2000
Website: https://www.simmons.edu/
Salem State University School of Nursing
Located about 15 miles north of Boston, Salem State University is one of the largest state universities in Massachusetts. It was renamed from Salem State College in 2010, when the Commonwealth elevated six state colleges to university status. Nursing programs at Salem State are accredited by CCNE.
A 15-month accelerated BSN, plus LPN to BSN, and RN to BSN programs complement the traditional BSN offer. The MSN program is designed for working professionals with previous nursing qualifications and offers classes in the evening and in a hybrid format. MSN concentrations in Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership in Health Systems, and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner are available.
352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-542-6200
Website: http://www.salemstate.edu
Massachusetts Board of Nursing approved schools
The Board of Registration in Nursing approves prelicensure nursing programs in Massachusetts under 244 CMR 6.00. Board approval is a regulatory action and is what makes a program’s graduates eligible for licensure; it is separate from the voluntary programmatic accreditation listed below, which comes from ACEN or CCNE.
Program offerings, accreditation status and approval status all change. Treat the list below as a starting point and confirm current details against the Board’s own published list of approved programs at mass.gov before applying.
American International College School of Nursing
- Location: Springfield, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN
- Founded: 1885
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.aic.edu
Anna Maria College School of Nursing
- Location: Paxton, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN
- Founded: 1946
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.annamaria.edu
Boston College William F Connell School of Nursing
- Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD
- Founded: 1863
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.bc.edu
Curry College School of Nursing
- Location: Milton, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN
- Founded: 1879
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.curry.edu
Elms College School of Nursing
- Location: Chicopee, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN
- Founded: 1928
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.elms.edu
Emmanuel College School of Nursing
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN
- Founded: 1919
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.emmanuel.edu
Endicott College, Cummings School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Location: Beverly, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN
- Founded: 1939
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.endicott.edu
Fitchburg State University School of Nursing
- Location: Fitchburg, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN
- Founded: 1894
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.fitchburgstate.edu
Framingham State University School of Nursing
- Location: Framingham, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN
- Founded: 1839
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.framingham.edu
Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions School of Nursing
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Programs: Accelerated BSN, direct-entry MSN, MSN, DNP, post-graduate certificates
- Founded: 1977 (renamed from MGH Institute of Health Professions effective 1 September 2026)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.mgbu.edu/nursing
Northeastern University School of Nursing
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Programs: RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, Perioperative Certificate, RNFA Certificate, Emergency Nurse Certificate, Nurse Refresher Program
- Founded: 1898
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.northeastern.edu
Regis College School of Nursing
- Location: Weston, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN
- Founded: 1927
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.regiscollege.edu
Salem State University School of Nursing
- Location: Salem, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN
- Founded: 1854
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.salemstate.edu
Simmons University School of Nursing
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN
- Founded: 1899
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.simmons.edu
University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing
- Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD
- Founded: 1863
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.umass.edu
University of Massachusetts Boston College of Nursing
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD
- Founded: 1964
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.umb.edu
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth College of Nursing
- Location: North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN
- Founded: 1895
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.umassd.edu
University of Massachusetts Lowell School of Nursing
- Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD
- Founded: 1894
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.uml.edu
UMass Chan Medical School, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing
- Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
- Programs: DNP, PhD, post-graduate APRN certificates (graduate only — no prelicensure BSN)
- Founded: 1986 (renamed the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing in 2021, when UMass Medical School became UMass Chan Medical School)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Website: www.umassmed.edu/gsn
Worcester State University School of Nursing
- Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
- Programs: BSN, MSN
- Founded: 1874
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Website: www.worcester.edu
Related guide
For admissions requirements, program costs, and how to choose the right program, read our full guide to Nursing schools in Massachusetts: programs, requirements, and NLC status.