Fourteen online and hybrid NP programs operate across Massachusetts, spanning public universities like UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst to private institutions such as Simmons University, Northeastern, and MCPHS. The state's 2021 move toward full practice authority, which grants independent prescriptive rights after a two-year supervised period, has sharpened employer demand and made Massachusetts one of the strongest NP job markets in the Northeast. Median annual NP pay here sits at $142,440.
For prospective students, the real challenge is comparing programs on the metrics that matter most: per-credit tuition (ranging from roughly $610 to over $1,000), clinical hour requirements, and certification exam pass rates, which vary meaningfully across schools. Massachusetts rewards the right program choice with some of the highest NP salaries in the country, but total debt load and time to completion differ enough to shift long-term returns by tens of thousands of dollars.
Top Online NP Programs in Massachusetts: Ranked for 2027
Massachusetts grants nurse practitioners full practice authority, and every school profiled here delivers at least part of its advanced practice curriculum online. Some keep the MSN as the entry point, while others start at the doctoral or post-master's level for nurses who already hold a graduate degree. Use the profiles below to see which format, concentration, and clinical hour requirement fits the career you are building.
How we ranked these
- Graduate earnings ten years out
- Institutional graduation rate
- Program breadth and online fit
- Clinical hour and practicum support
- Reported board certification pass rates
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living index by state — bea.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
#1Amherst, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Psychiatric NPs adding a certificate
UMass Amherst anchors advanced practice nursing in western Massachusetts, and its online NP options sit at the doctoral and post-master's level rather than at the entry MSN. Nurses who already hold a master's can add a psychiatric mental health certificate, while BSN-prepared applicants can pursue a DNP in either family or psychiatric mental health practice. Coursework runs online with clinical hours completed near home, and the curriculum is documented as meeting licensure requirements in Massachusetts and most other states.
- 75 total credit hours
- 752 clinical hours
- Three start dates per year
- Priority admission deadline of October 15
- Three concentration options
- Capstone and a five-course DNP project sequence
- Not available in Alabama, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, or Washington
- 728 clinical hours
- Completely online coursework with no campus visits
- 3.0 GPA minimum for admission
- Four-year or five-year plan of study
- Individualized plans of study
- Experiential learning through clinical practica
- 28 to 30 credits, fully online
- For nurses who already hold a master's degree
- Clinical experience in behavioral health settings
- Prepares graduates for ANCC or AANP certification
- Admissions prefer prior psychiatric nursing experience
- Meets licensure requirements in many states
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
#2Lowell, MA · ~$16,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Budget-conscious RNs at a public university
UMass Lowell pairs master's and doctoral NP tracks with public-university per-credit pricing that undercuts most private schools in the state. The online Family Health Nurse Practitioner MSN is the flagship, joined by hybrid adult gerontology and DNP pathways that combine online coursework with short on-campus intensives. Reported first-time certification pass rates are strong, and clinical placements are coordinated across the Merrimack Valley and Greater Boston.
- CCNE accredited
- 45 total credit hours and 750 clinical hours
- $610 per credit for online courses
- Four on-campus days focused on clinical skills
- No GRE required
- Reported 100 percent licensure pass rate
- Prepares students for FNP certification exams
- 45 total credit hours
- Hybrid delivery with on-campus sessions
- Test optional with rolling admissions
- Full-time and part-time options
- Up to 6 transfer credits accepted
- Prepares students for AGNP primary care certification
- 60 total credit hours
- Hybrid delivery with on-campus intensives
- Capstone required
- Massachusetts RN license required
- Interview required for admission
- Fast Track waives the application fee for UMass Lowell graduates
- 75 total credit hours across 26 courses
- Four two-day on-campus intensives
- Two years full time or three years part time
- Capstone and scholarly project required
- Finance and informatics coursework included
Salem State University
#3Salem, MA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)
Best for: North Shore nurses balancing full-time work
Salem State University offers a single, focused advanced practice track: an MSN in adult gerontology primary care built around part-time, hybrid evening study. The three-year plan is designed so working nurses on the North Shore and in Greater Boston can keep earning while they study, with practica arranged in community clinics, long-term care facilities, and regional health systems. In-state graduate tuition keeps it among the more affordable AGNP routes in Massachusetts.
- CCNE accredited
- 42 total credit hours
- Part-time, three-year completion plan
- Hybrid evening classes
- No entrance exam required
- Transfer up to 9 credits
- Non-matriculated students may begin selected courses
- Practica arranged in Boston and North Shore settings
MCPHS University
#4Boston, MA · ~$27,000/yr (est.)
MCPHS in Boston runs one of the broadest online advanced practice portfolios in the state, spanning family and psychiatric mental health MSNs, matching post-master's certificates, and an RN-to-MSN bridge for associate-prepared nurses. Almost every track takes 27 months and is delivered online with two short on-campus residencies and 750 clinical hours placed in the student's own community. Reported first-time certification pass rates sit in the low 90s or higher, and the university draws heavily on Boston's clinical network.
- CCNE accredited
- 27-month online program
- 750 clinical hours
- Two on-campus residencies
- Fall, spring, and summer starts
- Reported 91 to 92 percent first-time pass rates
- Prepares students for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- 27-month online program
- 750 clinical hours required
- Two on-campus residencies
- Reported 100 percent ANCC pass rate in 2024
- Clinicals completed in the local community
- Prepares graduates to diagnose and treat across the lifespan
- 27-month online certificate
- 750 clinical hours required
- For nurses with a graduate nursing background
- Online coursework with in-person residencies
- Individualized study plans
- Fall, spring, and summer start terms
- 27-month online certificate program
- Two on-campus residencies included
- Focus on psychiatric disorders and diagnosis
- Simulated clinical experiences included
- Prepares students for ANCC or AANPCB exams
- Tuition calculated per credit
- Bridge year of coursework before the MSN
- Designed for associate degree nurses
- 750 clinical hours
- Two on-campus residencies required
- Starts in fall
- Reported 91.3 percent ANCC first-attempt pass rate
Regis College
#5Weston, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)
Regis College in Weston has built its online nursing arm around role-specific NP tracks, including pediatrics, women's health, and family practice at both the MSN and BSN-to-DNP levels. Most programs are 100 percent online with no campus visits, and the school coordinates clinical placements in New England. Multiple entry points, from associate-prepared nurses to people with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, make it unusually accessible.
- 100 percent online with no campus visits
- As few as 26 to 38 months to complete
- $1,061 per credit
- No GRE or entrance exam required
- ADN-to-MSN, non-nursing bachelor's, and BSN-to-MSN entry
- Prepares students for PNCB certification
- Reported 83 percent licensure pass rate
- Clinical placements coordinated in your area
- 100 percent online with no campus visits
- As few as 26 to 38 months to complete
- No entrance exam required
- Prepares students for ANCC certification
- Reported 100 percent licensure pass rate
- Military benefits and employer reimbursement accepted
- Faculty advisor assigned to each student
- Six concentration options
- 73 total credit hours
- 600 supervised clinical hours
- About $1,025 per credit
- Completed in as few as 40 months
- 100 percent online with no campus visit required
- Up to 9 graduate credits accepted in transfer
- Reported DNP median earnings of $103,662
- 40-month program
- 800 clinical hours
- No campus visit required
- Capstone required
- First DNP program in the Boston area
- Military benefits accepted
- 40-month program
- One year of critical care experience required
- 100 percent online coursework
- Three start dates per year
- Faculty advisor assigned each semester
- Clinical coordinator provides placement assistance
Simmons University
#6Boston, MA · $25,000 – $30,000/yr (est.)
Simmons University in Boston pairs a CCNE-accredited online MSN with direct-entry and post-master's pathways, giving RNs several on-ramps to advanced practice. The family and psychiatric mental health tracks run on rolling admissions with three starts a year, and direct-entry students train at more than 850 affiliated sites around Boston. Simmons also offers post-graduate certificates for APRNs who want to add a second population focus.
- CCNE accredited
- Rolling admissions
- Three start dates each year
- Prepares students for FNP certification
- Financial aid available
- 49 total credit hours
- 756 clinical hours
- 24 months full time or 32 months part time
- Starts in January, May, and September
- Prepares students for ANCC certification
- For RNs who hold a BSN
- 27 credits and 756 clinical hours
- 16 months full time or 20 months part time
- Online coursework with an on-campus immersion
- Designed for current APRNs
- Focus on substance misuse and health equity
- Prepares students for ANCC PMHNP board certification
- Online post-graduate certificate
- For nurses who already hold a master's degree
- Rolling admissions with three start dates per year
- No GRE required
- Clinical placement assistance available
- Approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Reported 97 percent licensure pass rate
- Three-year program with 104 credit hours
- 1,400 clinical hours
- More than 850 clinical training sites
- Access to Boston teaching hospitals
- Capstone required
- Leadership and policy coursework included
- Three-year program with 108 credit hours
- Earn an MSN on the way to the DNP
- Hybrid online and campus format
- Prepares students for PMHNP certification
- Leadership and advocacy focus
- No entrance exam required and test optional
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- $50 application fee, reduced to $30 by the priority deadline
- Prepares students for ANCC or AANP certification
- BSN-to-DNP includes conferral of an MSN in Leadership
- Three concentration options
- Fee waivers for military and nonprofit applicants
University of Massachusetts-Boston
#7Boston, MA · ~$20,000/yr (est.)
UMass Boston's Manning College of Nursing offers a hybrid family nurse practitioner MSN plus a doctoral adult gerontology primary care track, both at public-university rates. The MSN is asynchronous online with fall and spring starts and requires a year of clinical experience along with an active Massachusetts RN license. The BSN to DNP route includes an en route master's degree, while the post-master's FNP certificate pathway is no longer accepting applications.
- CCNE accredited
- 48 total credit hours across 13 to 15 courses
- Asynchronous online coursework
- Fall and spring start terms
- One year of clinical experience required
- Massachusetts RN license required
- Capstone required, with no grade below B accepted
- Five-year completion limit
- 21-credit or 12-credit pathway
- 600 clinical hours in the 21-credit track
- Students arrange their own clinical experiences
- Preceptors must be NPs, PAs, nurse midwives, or physicians
- Four-year completion limit
- Clinical sites must hold a UMass contract
- The university reports it is no longer accepting applications
- 73 total credit hours across 23 courses
- 1,065 clinical hours
- BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP options
- En route master's degree available
- Capstone required
- Starts in fall
- $75 application fee
College of Our Lady of the Elms
#8Chicopee, MA · ~$18,000/yr (est.)
Elms College in Chicopee serves the Pioneer Valley and western Massachusetts with hybrid NP tracks at the doctoral and post-graduate certificate levels. The DNP programs follow a three-year plan that shifts between online and in-person coursework, and the school provides clinical placement support with regional partners. Gap-analysis certificates let already-certified NPs add a family or acute care focus without repeating coursework they have already completed.
- Hybrid program format
- Individualized gap analysis determines coursework
- Includes clinical practicum hours
- Requires current APRN licensure and national certification
- Advanced health assessment and primary care courses
- Option to continue into the DNP
- Hybrid program format
- About two years to complete
- Clinical practicum hours required
- Gap analysis determines required credits
- Roughly 15 to 20 study hours per week
- Prepares students for acute care certification
- CCNE accredited
- 80 total credit hours
- Three-year plan of study
- Hybrid format with in-person and Zoom sessions
- Capstone required
- Clinical placement support provided
- Prepares students for ANCC or AANP certification
- Designed for practicing RNs
- 80 total credit hours
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Three-year full-time plan
- BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP paths
- Prepares students for ANCC certification
- Hybrid online and in-person classes
- RN licensure required in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or New York
Endicott College
#9Beverly, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)
Endicott College in Beverly offers a hybrid master's in nursing with a family nurse practitioner concentration, plus a shorter post-master's certificate for nurses who already hold a graduate degree. The 47-credit MSN mixes online coursework with on-campus sessions and 750 supervised clinical hours, finishing in about 27 months. A reported 94 percent first-attempt certification pass rate makes it a strong North Shore option for working nurses.
- ACEN accredited
- 47 total credit hours
- About 27 months to complete
- Hybrid online and on-campus format
- 750 faculty-supervised clinical hours
- No GRE required
- Reported 94 percent first-attempt certification pass rate
- Prepares students for ANCC and AANP certification
- 32-credit post-master's certificate
- Hybrid learning with online and evening courses
- $870 per credit
- 600 clinical hours required
- Aligned with AACN and NONPF standards
- Individual internship placements arranged
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
#10North Dartmouth, MA · ~$17,000/yr (est.)
UMass Dartmouth covers the South Coast with online post-graduate certificates in psychiatric mental health and adult gerontology primary care, plus hybrid DNP tracks that extend the same specialties into doctoral study. Certificate students complete asynchronous coursework without campus visits, while DNP candidates add residencies and a translational research project. Class sizes are limited and advising is personal, which suits nurses who want a smaller program.
- Fully online, asynchronous courses
- Requires a master's or doctoral degree in nursing
- Covers diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication prescribing
- Serves patients across the lifespan
- Emphasis on evidence-based, culturally responsive care
- Active RN license required
- Online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
- Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment prerequisites
- Statement of purpose, resume, and transcripts required
- Two letters of recommendation needed
- Limited class sizes with personal advising
- Military friendly institution
- CCNE accredited
- 64 total credit hours
- 1,008 clinical hours
- Three-semester DNP residency
- Translational research project required
- Leads interdisciplinary healthcare teams
- Population-focused health interventions
- 67 total credit hours
- Psychiatric mental health role concentration
- Prepares students for ANCC certifying examinations
- BS to DNP and post-master's DNP options
- Doctoral residency with healthcare leaders
- Scholarly project required for DNP competencies
NP Program Costs, Debt, and Return on Investment in Massachusetts
Cost is one of the most important factors when choosing an NP program, but sticker price alone does not tell the whole story. The table below compares estimated tuition, institution-wide average net price after aid, median graduate debt, first-year median earnings (where reported), and a calculated return on investment ratio for Massachusetts NP programs. Net price figures are approximate, institution-wide averages drawn from federal data and may differ from your actual graduate-level cost. Program-level earnings data is not yet available for most of these programs, so the ROI ratio shown here is derived from broader institutional outcomes. Among the programs listed, MCPHS University and Northeastern University post the strongest earnings-to-debt ratios, reflecting a combination of moderate debt loads and strong post-graduation income. Public universities in the UMass system generally offer the lowest tuition for in-state students, making them especially attractive options for Massachusetts residents seeking an affordable path to NP practice.
| School | City | Est. Tuition (In-State) | Est. Tuition (Out-of-State) | Approx. Net Price (Institution Avg.) | Median Graduate Debt | ROI Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCPHS University | Boston | $27,210 | $27,210 | $39,545 | $25,000 | 5.02 |
| Northeastern University | Boston | $26,020 | $26,020 | Not reported | $24,250 | 3.82 |
| UMass Amherst | Amherst | $17,410 | $35,726 | $22,383 | $22,763 | 3.15 |
| UMass Boston | Boston | $20,456 | $39,352 | $17,707 | $21,974 | 3.00 |
| UMass Dartmouth | North Dartmouth | $17,269 | $30,589 | $20,927 | $25,000 | 2.75 |
| UMass Lowell | Lowell | $16,434 | $29,118 | $17,163 | $23,704 | 2.74 |
| Simmons University | Boston | $28,561 | $28,561 | $25,265 | $24,840 | 2.56 |
| Salem State University | Salem | $9,360 | $11,069 | $15,996 | $25,000 | 2.27 |
| Bay Path University | Longmeadow | $15,162 | $15,162 | $14,271 | $24,901 | 2.22 |
| Endicott College | Beverly | $15,534 | $15,534 | $40,654 | $27,000 | 2.16 |
| Regis College | Weston | $17,910 | $17,910 | $27,477 | $25,500 | 2.07 |
What Nurse Practitioners Earn Across Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the highest-paying states in the country for nurse practitioners. According to the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 data), the state's median annual wage for NPs is $142,440, well above the national median of roughly $126,260. With approximately 8,070 NPs employed statewide, Massachusetts also ranks among the more densely staffed NP markets in the Northeast, signaling strong employer demand alongside premium compensation.
| Wage Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile | $132,460 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $142,440 |
| Mean (Average) | $152,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,100 |
NP Salary by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Because metro-level salary breakdowns for nurse practitioners are not currently published for individual Massachusetts metro areas, the table below presents statewide NP compensation alongside related nursing and healthcare roles for context. With a statewide median salary of $142,440 and roughly 8,070 NPs employed across the commonwealth, Massachusetts remains one of the highest-paying states for nurse practitioners. Prospective students should monitor updated federal wage data for Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, Springfield, and other metro areas as new figures become available.
| Occupation | Total Employment in MA | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 8,070 | $132,460 | $142,440 | $168,100 | $152,320 |
| Registered Nurses | 88,200 | $87,460 | $104,550 | $136,110 | $117,960 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 500 | $253,120 | $295,550 | $356,000 | $303,310 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 17,600 | $104,630 | $134,360 | $178,540 | $161,150 |
| Nursing Instructors (Postsecondary) | 2,280 | $75,210 | $85,130 | $108,590 | $95,000 |
Massachusetts by City
Explore other Massachusetts related topics
FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, and More: NP Specialties Available in Massachusetts
Which NP specialty should you pick in Massachusetts, and who actually offers it online? The state's online programs cluster heavily around one track, but the full menu is broader than most applicants realize.
The Specialty Mix Across MA Online Programs
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): By far the deepest bench. Best Family Nurse Practitioner Programs in Massachusetts include UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, Simmons, MCPHS, Endicott, American International College, Bay Path (DNP), Northeastern, UMass Chan, and Elms (post-graduate certificate). If you want broad primary care across the lifespan, options are plentiful.
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP): UMass Amherst offers a post-master's online certificate, and UMass Dartmouth offers a CAGS online. Both target nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree.
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGNP): Salem State University runs a hybrid AGNP track with evening classes, a practical choice among adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner programs if you plan to work in geriatric or adult primary care.
- Pediatric NP (PNP): Regis College is one of the Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Massachusetts and offers a fully online PNP track that prepares graduates for PNCB certification.
Which Specialties MA Employers Are Hiring
FNP roles fill the widest range of jobs across community clinics, urgent care, and rural primary care. PMHNPs are in acute demand statewide as behavioral health access remains constrained. AGNP demand tracks Massachusetts's aging population, particularly outside Boston. WHNP-only online tracks are scarce here, so applicants often pursue FNP with a women's health focus in clinicals instead.
Pathways in: BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, RN-to-NP, and Post-Master's Options
If you are exploring BSN to NP programs in Massachusetts, you will find several well-defined educational pathways, most of which are available fully or mostly online. The right track depends on your current credentials, career goals, and whether you want to finish with an MSN (clinical focus, faster entry to practice) or a DNP (terminal practice doctorate, preferred for leadership, academic, and systems-level roles). Here is how the main routes compare.
Admissions Requirements and Clinical Placement Logistics
Some Massachusetts NP programs are designed for working RNs who already hold a bachelor's degree and an active license, while a smaller number of direct-entry tracks invite career changers with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to begin from the ground up. The right fit depends less on a single statewide rule than on the credential level and specialty you choose.
What Admissions Typically Require
Most online NP programs in Massachusetts set a 3.0 minimum GPA and expect an active, unencumbered RN license. American International College's MSN-FNP, for example, lists a 3.0 GPA, current RN license, bachelor's degree, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. UMass Boston's post-master's NP certificate uses a 3.0 graduate GPA floor (2.75 undergraduate) and requires prerequisite coursework in advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology. Direct-entry options such as UMass Chan Medical School's program accept a non-nursing bachelor's degree but expect science prerequisites with a B- or higher. Institution-wide acceptance rates vary widely, from about 60% at UMass Amherst to about 96% at Salem State, but these figures describe the whole university rather than any NP track.
Clinical Hours and Placement Vary by School
There is no Massachusetts-wide 500- or 600-hour standard. Clinical hour totals range from roughly 300 to 728 depending on program, credential level, and whether you already hold APRN certification. UMass Boston expects certificate students to secure their own preceptor, an NP, MD, or PA, with the clinical agency under contract with the university. Other programs offer placement assistance, but you should clarify placement support before enrolling. Massachusetts APRN authorization ultimately requires current RN licensure and an official final transcript showing preparation in the relevant APRN category.
How to Strengthen an Application
- Specialty certifications and direct clinical experience can offset a borderline GPA.
- Strong letters of recommendation and a focused personal statement help.
- Verify prerequisite courses early, especially statistics and advanced nursing sciences.
Massachusetts NP Licensure: Full Practice Authority, Prescriptive Rights, and Steps
Does Massachusetts have full practice authority? Yes, but it is not automatic. NPs in Massachusetts must complete a two-year supervised prescriptive authority period before practicing independently. The pathway from graduate degree to full prescriptive privileges involves several distinct steps through the Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) and federal agencies.
Your Questions About NP Programs in Massachusetts, Answered
Choosing an NP program raises a lot of practical questions, from timelines and costs to licensing requirements. Below are concise, evidence-based answers to the questions prospective NP students in Massachusetts ask most often.