Nursing Programs in Boston, MA

Last Updated On Aug 1, 2026

Expert Verified: Jessica Guzzetti, MBA, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN

3 Min Read

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Boston

Rankings help prospective nursing students identify programs that demonstrate strong outcomes. Our ranking of the Best Nursing Schools in Boston relies solely on NCLEX pass rates, providing an objective measure of student preparedness. Registerednursing.org has compiled and analyzed the latest data to highlight schools that excel in nursing education. https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/

Yearly Pass Rate Trends for Boston Nursing Schools

Pass rates have varied across recent years, with a significant peak in 2023 before a decline in 2024.

2022: 84.22% average pass rate
2023: 93.28% average pass rate
2024: 86.15% average pass rate

Biggest Pass Rate Improvements

Three nursing schools showed substantial gains in pass rates, reflecting successful programmatic changes.

Laboure College of Healthcare: Improved from 65% to 91% (a 26-point increase)
Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing: Improved from 74% to 100% (a 26-point increase)
Curry College: Improved from 76% to 97% (a 21-point increase)

Consistently High Performing Schools

Several schools maintained average pass rates above 90% across multiple years, demonstrating consistent excellence.

Middlesex Community College: 100% average pass rate
Endicott College: 97% average pass rate
Boston College: 95.5% average pass rate
Massasoit Community College: 95.33% average pass rate
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School of Nursing: 94.33% average pass rate

Emmanuel College

Boston, MA - Private 4-year - emmanuel.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Emmanuel College in Boston offers a CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing designed to develop compassionate, clinically excellent nurses. Students engage in rigorous coursework spanning nursing theory, pathopharmacology, health assessment, and a capstone mentored by professional nurses. Clinical placements at top Boston hospitals provide hands-on experience in mental health, maternity, pediatrics, and community health. The program emphasizes critical thinking, cultural competency, and communication for diverse healthcare settings. Graduates pursue roles as registered nurses, educators, or administrators. Approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing with over 40 years of leadership, Emmanuel achieved a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024. The college does not explicitly require ACT or SAT for admission; applicants should verify current testing policies. As a Roman Catholic, military-friendly institution, Emmanuel fosters a values-driven learning environment that supports career readiness and holistic development.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
Capstone required
Clinical placements at Boston's top healthcare sites
100% of graduates prepared for career
CCNE accredited program
40+ years of nursing education leadership
Capstone experience with professional nurse mentor
Clinical rotations in mental health, community, maternity, pediatrics
Faculty show concern for individual students
Boston location enriches academic experience

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, MA - Public 2-Year - middlesex.edu

Associate - Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Middlesex Community College offers a campus-based Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, completion of prerequisite science courses with a C or better, and a passing score on the TEAS entrance exam. The curriculum integrates rigorous theory with hands-on clinical experiences across patient care settings, covering nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and lifespan care. Emphasizing safety, evidence-based practice, and professional growth, graduates are equipped for entry-level nursing roles and further educational pathways. The program reports a perfect 100% NCLEX pass rate for 2022–2024. Financial aid and scholarships are available to eligible students, and the school is military-friendly.

Campus-based program
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
2.5 GPA required
TEAS test required
Hands-on clinical experiences
Focus on safety
Evidence-based practice
Professional development
Financial aid available
Scholarships possible

Endicott College

Beverly, MA - Private 4-year - endicott.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Endicott College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a full-time, campus-based program blending liberal arts with nursing theory and clinical practice. Students begin clinical rotations in their sophomore year, with a 1:6 faculty-to-student ratio, gaining hands-on experience in adult care, childbearing families, psychosocial nursing, and acute care. A senior capstone and internships at leading Boston hospitals enhance real-world readiness. The ACEN-accredited program supports a Fifth Year Master's pathway. Admission is test-optional, so no SAT or ACT is required. Recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are outstanding, including 100% in 2023 and 2024, and graduates benefit from a 99% job placement rate.

ACEN accredited
No entrance exam required
Exams: SAT, ACT
Test optional
126 total credit hours
100% licensure pass rate
99% job placement rate
3.0 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Capstone required

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA - Private 4-year - bc.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Boston College offers a four-year campus BSN that blends nursing with liberal arts, natural sciences, and social sciences. Coursework includes pharmacology, pathophysiology, and adult health nursing, complemented by clinical placements at major teaching hospitals like Brigham and Women's and Boston Children's. The first-time NCLEX pass rate reached 98% in 2024, driven by a comprehensive curriculum. Ranked #13 by U.S. News, the program features the Seacole Scholars community, undergraduate research fellowships, and study-abroad opportunities—one-third of juniors study internationally. With a Jesuit mission and individual mentorship, the program fosters ethical, compassionate caregivers. Boston College's test-optional policy means no SAT/ACT is required, and there is no additional nursing entrance exam.

4-Year program
98% licensure pass rate
Prepares for NCLEX
Seacole Scholars living-learning community
Undergraduate Research Fellows program
Study abroad junior year
Clinical placements at major hospitals
One-on-one faculty mentorship
448 undergraduate nursing students
Global clinical experiences

Massasoit Community College

Brockton, MA - Public 2-Year - massasoit.edu

Associate - Associate Degree Nurse Education – Full Time

Campus Based - Visit Website

Massasoit Community College's full-time Associate Degree Nurse Education program is an ACEN-accredited pathway to registered nursing licensure. The curriculum integrates liberal arts, sciences, and nursing theory with clinical rotations across diverse healthcare environments. Students develop critical thinking, the nursing process, and culturally competent care skills. The program requires the TEAS entrance exam, a background check, CPR certification, and a minimum 78% average in nursing courses. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and consistently achieve strong pass rates—99% in 2023, with recent years exceeding 93%. This competitive program prioritizes high achievers and offers a seamless transfer pathway to BSN programs at four-year institutions.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
Entrance exam required
Exams: TEAS
Full-time enrollment
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN licensure preparation
ACEN accredited program
CORI/SORI background check
Health insurance and immunizations
CPR certification required

Associate - Associate Degree LPN to Associate Degree Advanced Placement Nurse Education – Part Time (LPN to RN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Massasoit's LPN to Associate Degree Advanced Placement program is a part-time, evening track designed specifically for working licensed practical nurses. Over three intensive semesters, LPNs receive advanced placement credit, building on existing clinical experience to master the nursing process, evidence-based practice, and holistic care planning for diverse populations. The cohort-based structure fosters collaboration while flexible evening classes accommodate job schedules. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and transition into registered nursing roles. The program emphasizes clinical judgment, communication, and technical skills in structured settings. Massasoit's nursing graduates boast exceptional NCLEX pass rates, with 99% passing in 2023, reflecting the rigor and effectiveness of the program.

3-Semester program
Part-time available
Prepares for NCLEX
Evening classes
Advanced placement for LPNs
Holistic care planning
Clinical judgment skills
Prepares for RN role
Diverse population focus
Technical skills development

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*Original data from: National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS program (2025).

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Boston, MA

For students with no prior nursing education, or for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who want to become RNs, an entry-level nursing training program is the place to start. Options for these programs in the Boston area, including LPN to RN programs aimed at practical nurses interested in transitioning to RN careers, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs and direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Each of these programs will prepare nurses to take the NCLEX licensing exam and secure their first jobs as RNs.

LPN to RN Programs

Because RNs earn higher salaries and have more patient career responsibilities and career opportunities, many practical nurses decide to transition to a career as an RN. Some schools offer special programs aimed at these practical nurses, which provide an accelerated pathway to becoming an RN. For example, Laboure College offers an LPN to RN Advanced Placement program that helps LPNs earn their associate’s degree in less time than a traditional ADN program.

ADN Programs

ADN programs are designed for students with no prior nursing training, and allow students to graduate in around two years and take the NCLEX exam. Bunker Hill Community College, for example, offers a four-semester program that includes 39-credit hours of nursing theory and clinical practice in health care facilities. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of patient-centered care, human growth and development, and microbiology.

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs

BSN programs are also designed for students new to the nursing field, and include additional in-depth coursework not generally included in ADN programs, such as nursing research, leadership, and community nursing. The University of Massachusetts – Boston offers a BSN program that can be completed in 2.5 to 4 years of study, and includes clinical placement in some of the Boston area’s finest healthcare institutions.

Find out more about Massachusettes Accelerated BSN Programs

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

Somewhat less common than ADN or BSN programs, direct-entry MSN programs are designed for students who have earned their bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject and would like to earn a master’s degree in nursing. These accelerated, academically-rigorous programs begin in BSN-level nursing courses to prepare students for the NCLEX and then continue on with advanced nursing courses to prepare students with advanced practice nursing careers and certification. Simmons University offers a direct-entry MSN program that prepares students of all backgrounds for careers as family nurse practitioners in three years of study.

Find out more about Massachusetts Accelerated MSN Programs

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Boston, MA

Because RNs with their bachelor’s or master’s degree earn higher salaries and have a higher number of job opportunities to choose from, many nurses with their associate’s degree decide to go back to school to earn a BSN or MSN. There are a number of these bridge programs to choose from in the Boston area, some of which are offered online or on a part-time basis to allow RNs to continue working while they study.

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN bridge programs provide a “bridge” from the associate’s degree to a BSN. Many of these programs are offered online, like the one at Emmanuel College, which allows students to take courses at their own pace. Students graduate the program in as little as 16 months of online study of accelerated seven-week courses, which is designed with working nurses in mind.

Find out more about Massachusetts RN to BSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

Somewhat less common than the RN to BSN program, RN to MSN programs allow nurses with an associate’s degree a pathway to a master’s degree in nursing without first completing a BSN. The RN to MSN program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences builds on the Associate’s Degree in Nursing and allows students to become family nurse practitioners in three years of study. Aside from four on-campus meetings, coursework for this program is offered online with clinical practice hours taking place near a student’s home, allowing students to continue working while earning their degrees.

Find out more about Massachusetts RN to MSN Programs

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

We have gathered a comprehensive list of RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs available at colleges and universities nationwide. For each school, the table provides the campus location, including city and state, along with important program highlights and a direct link to the official program page. Take time to explore the options below and compare factors like curriculum, online options, and practical requirements to find the right fit for your nursing career.

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Beverly, MA

Endicott College

RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
- 100% licensure pass rate
- 99% job placement rate
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Online format for working professionals
- Partnerships with NLNAC-accredited AD programs