Best Online MSN Programs in Massachusetts for 2027
Massachusetts online MSN programs split between two models across nursing schools in Massachusetts: research-university flagships such as UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell, which bundle asynchronous coursework with select on-campus residencies, and online-first programs like MCPHS and Regis College, which emphasize accelerated pacing and per-credit tuition clarity. The choice is less about prestige than about clinical placement logistics and state board alignment.
Across Massachusetts programs, published tuition runs from roughly $6,800 at Worcester State to more than $36,000 at Merrimack College, with private online options skewing higher. Advanced practice tracks, including the best family nurse practitioner programs in Massachusetts, require 665 to 750 supervised clinical hours, and admission presumes either active RN licensure or a qualifying non-nursing bachelor's degree.
What none of these programs can compress is Massachusetts APRN board approval. A shorter online MSN still confronts the same certification exams, supervised hours, and licensure paperwork as a traditional campus route.
Best Online MSN Schools in Massachusetts: 2027 Rankings
Massachusetts has no shortage of graduate nursing options, but the strongest online programs share a few traits: accreditation that employers and certifying bodies recognize, clinical hours that can be arranged close to home, and schedules that survive a full-time shift rotation. The ten schools below are the state's leading online MSN providers, spanning public universities, private colleges, and specialized tracks in nursing education, administration, and advanced practice. Use the cards to compare concentrations, tuition, and format before you request information from the programs that fit.
How we ranked these
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Institutional graduation rates
- Program-level career outcomes
- Online delivery availability
- Cost factors, weighted lighter
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.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
Best for: Working RNs moving into educator roles
The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a fully online MSN through the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, with separate tracks in Nursing Education and Public Health Nursing. Coursework is asynchronous, so working nurses can keep a full-time job while preparing for educator or community health roles. The program uses rolling admissions with a fall application deadline of December 15, 2026, and both tracks are CCNE accredited, with the public health track also carrying CEPH recognition.
- CCNE accredited
- Two concentration options: Nursing Education and Public Health Nursing
- Asynchronous online classes with no campus visits required
- Fall application deadline of December 15, 2026
- Rolling admissions with full-time and part-time options
- Prepares graduates for nurse educator positions
- CCNE and CEPH accredited
- Focus on community and population health
- Prepares for public health nursing leadership roles
- Requires RN licensure and a bachelor's degree
- Fall admission deadline of December 15; rolling admissions
- No campus visits required
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
#2Lowell, MA · $16,000/yr
Best for: Nurses pursuing family nurse practitioner practice
UMass Lowell delivers advanced practice preparation through a hybrid MSN that pairs online coursework with a small number of required on-campus days. The Family Nurse Practitioner track runs 45 credits with 750 clinical hours, and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care track follows a similar 45-credit plan with full-time and part-time pacing. Online courses run $610 per credit, no GRE is required, and the program is CCNE accredited.
- 45 credits, including 750 clinical hours
- Four on-campus days for hands-on learning
- $610 per credit; select nursing courses at $750 per credit
- No GRE required; $50 application fee
- Prepares for Family Nurse Practitioner certification exams
- CCNE accredited
- 45 total credit hours; 2-year full-time plan of study
- Hybrid format with full-time and part-time options
- Rolling admissions and test-optional applications
- Requires a 3.0 GPA and two letters of recommendation
- Prepares for adult-gerontological primary care certification
- Up to 6 transfer credits accepted
MCPHS University
#3Boston, MA · ~$27,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Associate-degree nurses bridging to advanced practice
MCPHS University in Boston runs a 27-month online MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks, each requiring 750 clinical hours and two on-campus residencies. Associate-degree nurses can enter through a bridge program that adds a year of baccalaureate-level coursework before the graduate sequence. Reported first-time certification pass rates sit in the low 90s for the FNP tracks and at 100 percent for the psychiatric track in 2024, and Massachusetts is among the states where online enrollment is authorized.
- 27-month online program
- 750 clinical hours with two on-campus residencies
- 91 to 92 percent first-time certification pass rates
- Fall, spring, and summer start dates
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB certification exams
- CCNE accredited
- 27-month online program with 750 clinical hours
- Two on-campus residencies plus simulated clinical experiences
- Reported 100 percent ANCC pass rate in 2024
- Prepares graduates to diagnose and treat across the lifespan
- Fall, spring, and summer start dates
- CCNE accredited
- Bridge year of coursework for associate degree nurses
- Leads to the same FNP credential as the MSN track
- 750 clinical hours and two on-campus residencies
- 91.3 percent ANCC and 92 percent AANPCB first-attempt pass rates
- Fall start; CCNE accredited
- Available to RNs in 22 states, including Massachusetts
Endicott College
#4Beverly, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
Endicott College in Beverly offers three MSN concentrations built for working nurses: Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and Family Nurse Practitioner. The education and administration tracks each take 33 credits and can be finished in about 18 months through cohort-based classes with biweekly Zoom sessions, while the FNP track spans 47 credits and 750 clinical hours. All three are ACEN accredited, the FNP program reports a 94 percent first-attempt certification pass rate, and a Pre-Master's Pathway supports RNs whose bachelor's degree is in another field.
- 33 credits, completable in 18 months
- Cohort model with biweekly Zoom sessions
- No GRE required for admission
- Capstone aligned to NLN Nurse Educator Competencies
- Internship arranged around individual career goals
- ACEN accredited
- 47 credits over 27 months
- 750 supervised clinical hours
- Reported 94 percent first-attempt certification pass rate
- Prepares for ANCC and AANP certification
- Post-Master's FNP certificate also available
- No GRE required; hybrid online and on-campus format
- 33 credits, 18-month completion
- 100 percent online with cohort support
- Internship and capstone project required
- Coursework in healthcare economics and nursing leadership
- Prepares graduates for nurse management roles
- Pre-Master's Pathway available for non-nursing bachelor's degrees
Worcester State University
#5Worcester, MA · $7,000/yr
Worcester State University keeps graduate nursing affordable and regionally focused, with online MSN tracks in Nurse Education and Public and Population Health. The public health track admits RNs licensed in Massachusetts and neighboring New England states, and its practicum sites are concentrated in the region, so most students never relocate for clinical work. A 2.75 GPA is the standard bar, and the program uses holistic review to conditionally admit applicants who fall below it.
- 35 credits, fully online and asynchronous
- 125 clinical practicum hours
- Curriculum aligned to NLN and AACN standards
- Prepares for CNE and ANCC certification exams
- 2.75 GPA minimum; no GRE required
- Post-graduate certificate option available
- CCNE accredited
- Two concentrations: Global and Cross-Cultural Health, Health Systems Transformation
- Roughly 33 to 35 credits with an applied project
- Accepts RNs licensed in Massachusetts and neighboring New England states
- 2.75 GPA minimum, with holistic review for conditional acceptance
- Includes practicum internship and epidemiology coursework
- CCNE accredited
Merrimack College
#6North Andover, MA · $37,000/yr
Merrimack College in North Andover offers an online MSN in Nursing Education that can be completed in as few as 17 months across 40 credits. Tuition runs $620 per credit, roughly $24,800 for the full program, and a 15 percent discount is available to nurses employed by partner healthcare systems. Coursework is fully asynchronous with three start dates a year, and the program includes 180 clinical hours, an in-person practicum, and preparation for the CNE exam.
- 40 credits; finish in as few as 17 months
- $620 per credit, about $24,800 total program tuition
- 100 percent asynchronous with three start dates per year
- 180 clinical hours and an in-person practicum
- 15 percent tuition discount for partner healthcare employers
- Prepares for the CNE certification exam
- No GRE or GMAT required
College of Our Lady of the Elms
#7Chicopee, MA · $18,000/yr
Elms College in Chicopee focuses on the non-clinical side of graduate nursing, with online MSN tracks in Nursing Education and Nursing and Health Services Management. The education track spans 38 credits with two teaching practicums and a capstone, while the management track covers healthcare finance, human capital management, and informatics with its own practicum and capstone. Both are CCNE accredited.
- 38 total credit hours
- Two education practicums plus a capstone project
- Focus on curriculum design and program evaluation
- Prepares graduates to teach in ADN and BSN programs
- CCNE accredited
- Online format designed for working nurses
- Includes a 5-credit practicum and a capstone
- Coursework in healthcare finance and human capital management
- Covers nursing informatics and global health perspectives
- CCNE accredited
Regis College
#8Weston, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
Regis College in Weston is one of the more flexible options in the state, admitting students through three entry points: ADN to MSN, non-nursing bachelor's to MSN, and BSN to MSN. Online tracks include Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, plus a hybrid Clinical Nurse Leader path, at $1,061 per credit with completion in roughly 26 to 38 months. Faculty advisors and clinical coordinators help students arrange practicum placements near home, and with faculty approval some nurses can complete hours at their own workplace.
- $1,061 per credit
- Completes in as few as 26 to 38 months
- Clinical placements arranged in the student's area
- Prepares for PNCB certification
- Three entry points: ADN to MSN, non-nursing bachelor's, BSN to MSN
- No GRE required; $75 application fee
- 39 credits across eight semesters
- 500 clinical hours with a capstone
- Hybrid format with interprofessional learning opportunities
- Prepares for CNL certification
- Coursework in quality management and evidence-based practice
- $1,061 per credit
- Completes in as few as 26 to 38 months
- Reported 100 percent licensure pass rate
- 100 percent online with no campus visits
- Prepares for ANCC certification
- Two letters of recommendation required
Fitchburg State University
#9Fitchburg, MA · $6,000/yr
Fitchburg State University offers a specialized online MS in Forensic Nursing for nurses who want to work at the intersection of health care and the justice system. The 39-credit curriculum covers trauma-informed care, death investigation, forensic science, and legal nurse consulting, with 420 clinical hours in hospitals, medical examiner offices, and crisis centers. Students can finish in as few as three years, with up to six allowed, and rolling admissions allows spring, summer, or fall starts.
- 39 credits across 13 courses
- 420 clinical hours in hospitals, medical examiner offices, crisis centers
- Prepares for SANE, death investigation, and legal nurse consulting roles
- Finish in as few as three years; up to six years allowed
- Rolling admissions with spring, summer, and fall starts
- CCNE accredited
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
#10North Dartmouth, MA · $17,000/yr
UMass Dartmouth offers a fully asynchronous MSN with a Nursing and Healthcare Education concentration, designed for nurses who want to teach in academic, clinical, or staff development settings. The 39-credit program pairs core master's coursework with education courses and ends in a capstone practicum of 126 clinical hours. Students work with an experienced nurse educator for an individualized practicum, and the program allows credit transfers and flexible pacing across about three years.
- 39 credits, fully asynchronous
- 126 clinical hours and a capstone practicum
- Individualized practicum with an experienced nurse educator
- Coursework spans about three years
- Credit transfers and flexible pacing allowed
- CCNE accredited
MSN Pathway Comparison: BSN-To-MSN Vs. RN-To-MSN Vs. Direct Entry
Massachusetts schools offer several MSN pathways tailored to different starting credentials. Choosing the right one depends on whether you already hold a BSN, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The comparison below breaks down eligibility, credit requirements, typical timelines, and ideal candidates for each route so you can identify the fastest, most efficient path to your MSN.
| BSN-to-MSN | RN-to-MSN (ADN-to-MSN Bridge) | RN with Non-Nursing Bachelor's to MSN | Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nurses) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active, unencumbered RN license plus a Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Active, unencumbered RN license plus an associate degree or nursing diploma | Active, unencumbered RN license plus a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing | Bachelor's or master's degree in any field; no prior RN license required |
| BSN-prepared RNs ready to advance into nurse practitioner, leadership, or education roles | ADN or diploma nurses who want to skip a standalone BSN and move directly toward an MSN | Career changers who earned their RN through an associate program after completing a bachelor's in another discipline | Professionals from non-nursing fields who want to enter nursing at the master's level, beginning with prelicensure coursework |
| Approximately 39 to 48 credits (42 to 51 for PMHNP tracks), based on Regis College's online program | Approximately 54 to 63 credits (57 to 66 for PMHNP tracks) at Regis College, reflecting bridge coursework that covers BSN-level competencies | Approximately 54 to 63 credits (57 to 66 for PMHNP tracks), similar to the ADN bridge because additional nursing foundation courses are required | Up to 96 credits at Boston College, which combines a prelicensure curriculum with NP-track coursework; a shorter 48-credit prelicensure RN track is also available |
| About 26 to 30 months (roughly 2 to 2.5 years) depending on the specialty track | About 34 to 38 months (roughly 3 years), with extra semesters devoted to bridging BSN-level content | About 34 to 38 months, comparable to the ADN bridge pathway | The prelicensure component at Boston College takes about 14 months; full NP-track completion adds additional semesters, totaling several years of study |
| None; students are already licensed RNs | None; students are already licensed RNs, but bridge courses fill gaps between associate-level and BSN-level preparation | None; students are already licensed RNs, though nursing-specific foundational courses are added | Includes clinical rotations and coursework that prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-RN before progressing to graduate-level content |
| Primarily online at Regis College with required clinical hours arranged locally | Primarily online at Regis College; also offered through Regis College's RN to BSN to MSN Upward Mobility Track | Primarily online at Regis College with the same clinical placement model as the BSN-to-MSN option | Largely on campus at institutions such as Boston College, due to the intensive clinical and lab requirements of the prelicensure phase |
How Much Do MSN Programs Cost in Massachusetts?
Tuition for MSN programs in Massachusetts varies widely depending on whether you attend a public university or a private institution. Based on 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard), in-state tuition at public schools can start below $7,000 per year, while private institutions may charge $15,000 to over $36,000. Keep in mind that the net price shown below is an institution-wide average after financial aid and does not represent a guaranteed quote for your specific program. Actual out-of-pocket costs will depend on your aid package, enrollment status, and how many credits your program requires. Where available, median program-level debt is included to give you a sense of what graduates actually borrow, which often tells a more realistic story than sticker price alone.
| School | Sector | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price (After Aid) | Median Debt at Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester State University | Public | $11,786 | $17,866 | $13,381 | $19,500 |
| Fitchburg State University | Public | $11,346 | $17,426 | $14,262 | $24,239 |
| Bay Path University | Private | $38,302 | $38,302 | $14,271 | $24,901 |
| Salem State University | Public | $12,338 | $19,531 | $15,996 | $25,000 |
| UMass Lowell | Public | $16,966 | $36,264 | $17,163 | $23,704 |
| Elms College | Private | $43,325 | $43,325 | $17,545 | $25,000 |
| UMass Boston | Public | $15,908 | $38,125 | $17,707 | $21,974 |
| UMass Dartmouth | Public | $15,612 | $32,567 | $20,927 | $25,000 |
| UMass Amherst | Public | $17,772 | $40,449 | $22,383 | $22,763 |
| American International College | Private | $44,230 | $44,230 | $23,274 | $27,000 |
| Simmons University | Private | $46,874 | $46,874 | $25,265 | $24,840 |
| Regis College | Private | $49,680 | $49,680 | $27,477 | $25,500 |
| Curry College | Private | $47,970 | $47,970 | $29,207 | $25,000 |
| Merrimack College | Private | $53,962 | $53,962 | $37,927 | $27,000 |
| MCPHS University | Private | $40,530 | $40,530 | $39,545 | $25,000 |
| Endicott College | Private | $40,650 | $40,650 | $40,654 | $27,000 |
Explore other Massachusetts related topics
MSN Earnings and ROI in Massachusetts
When evaluating MSN programs in Massachusetts, return on investment matters. One common proxy compares an institution's median earnings ten years after enrollment against median graduate debt. While useful for relative comparisons, this ratio reflects institution-wide outcomes rather than MSN-specific earnings, so it should be viewed as a directional signal, not a precise program-level measure. For occupational context, BLS data shows Massachusetts nurse practitioners earn a median of roughly $142,440 per year, medical and health services managers earn a median of about $132,130, and nursing instructors earn a median near $80,140. Experienced NPs in the state can reach $207,710 or more at the 90th percentile, while nursing administrators at that level top $239,200. These occupational figures reflect specific roles and survey years (2023 to 2025 depending on occupation) and should not be confused with institution-level post-enrollment earnings.
Fast and Affordable Online MSN Options in Massachusetts
No online MSN accessible to Massachusetts residents currently delivers a true 12-month finish in 2026, despite what search results and Reddit threads sometimes imply. The shortest verified accelerated pathways sit in the 16 to 24-month range, and the cheapest online msn programs tend to be public regional universities, not the national online brands.
The Three Most Affordable Picks
Based on net price, three in-state programs stand out:
- Worcester State University: MSN with a Nurse Educator specialization, 35 credits, fully asynchronous online, CCNE-accredited. Public tuition keeps the total investment well below private competitors.
- Fitchburg State University: MS in Nursing with a Forensic Nursing focus, 39 credits across 13 courses, 100% online, CCNE-accredited. Budget-friendly for a niche specialty, though the standard pace runs about three years.
- Bay Path University: MSN Nurse Administrator track, online asynchronous, CCNE-accredited and Massachusetts Board approved. It is private, but its net price lands lower than most peers thanks to targeted graduate aid.
These programs stay budget-friendly through in-state public tuition at Worcester State and Fitchburg State, asynchronous formats that let you keep working, and modest credit counts.
Accelerated Timelines Worth Knowing
Curry College runs a 20-month, 66-credit accelerated-entry MSN in Milton, but it is hybrid rather than fully online and requires a non-nursing bachelor's with a 3.0 GPA. UMass Dartmouth's online MS in Nursing runs 24 months starting Summer 2026. Sacred Heart markets roughly a two-year online graduate nursing path to Massachusetts students. Regis College's online MSN runs 30 to 38 months depending on entry point.
The SNHU FNP Question
Southern New Hampshire University's MSN Family Nurse Practitioner is among the FNP programs in Massachusetts available to residents, delivered mostly online with a required in-person immersion (NUR-600) that carries an additional $2,000 fee. It is CCNE-accredited, requires 750 practicum hours, and totals 51 credits. Taking two courses per 10-week term, completion runs about 98 weeks, just under two years. One course per term stretches it past three years. Publicly reported graduation, certification pass-rate, and placement data for the FNP track are not available, so verify current outcomes directly with the school.
The Speed Tradeoff
Fast tracks almost always require full-time enrollment, heavier per-term credit loads, and compressed clinical scheduling. If you plan to keep working, model your weekly hours honestly before committing to a 16 to 20-month timeline.
Accreditation and Board Approval for Massachusetts MSN Programs
Before enrolling in any Massachusetts MSN program, confirm two separate layers of oversight: nursing program accreditation and state board approval. They serve different purposes, and both matter.
Why CCNE or ACEN Accreditation Matters
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) evaluate curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes at the program level. This accreditation typically determines whether graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exams (such as ANCC or AANP for nurse practitioners) and whether employers and other schools will recognize the degree. A program lacking CCNE accreditation or ACEN accreditation can create real obstacles to certification and career advancement, even if the coursework looks similar on paper.
What Massachusetts BORN Approval Covers
Separately, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) approves nursing education programs under 244 CMR 6.00, authorized by M.G.L. chapter 112, section 81C.1 State approval moves through three stages: Prerequisite, Initial, and Full, and programs must maintain compliance afterward, including annual reporting each first Monday in November and prior notification of significant changes, such as admissions growth of 20 percent or more. Programs with first-time NCLEX pass rates below 80 percent for two years within a three-year period face expanded review. BORN's rules apply generically to nursing education programs, in-state or out-of-state, without separate online-specific standards currently spelled out.
Recent Approvals to Know
Bay Path University's Direct Entry Master's Degree Nursing Program received Initial Approval effective March 2025. Simmons University's Master's Entry into Professional Nursing Program, approved since March 2024, now holds Full Approval status. A regulatory redline draft circulated in mid-2026 proposes updates to 244 CMR 6.00, though its adoption status remains unclear.
Before enrolling, especially in an out-of-state online program marketing to Massachusetts residents, verify both CCNE or ACEN accreditation and current BORN approval status directly, rather than relying on a school's marketing claims alone.
Salary Snapshot for MSN-Prepared Nurses in Massachusetts
MSN-prepared nurse practitioners in Massachusetts earn significantly above the national median, reflecting strong demand for advanced practice nurses across the state.
State Licensing for Advanced Practice Nurses in Massachusetts
More Online MSN Programs in Massachusetts to Consider
Beyond the ranked programs above, Massachusetts offers a wider set of online and hybrid MSN options for nurses working across the state. The directory below groups additional schools by region, along with the format and concentrations each one offers. These programs appear for reference, not in ranked order.
Greater Boston
- Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN-PMHNP) (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
- MSN in Nursing Education
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Nursing (MS) (Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Administration)
- Accelerated Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- MSN in Nursing Education
- MSN in Nursing Administration
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Dual Specialization (Acute and Primary Care))
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
Pioneer Valley
- Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Administrator)
- Direct Entry MSN
- Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
MSN by State
Northeast10
Southeast12
Midwest12
Southwest4
DC & Territories1
Explore More MSN Topics
- Best (MSN) Masters in Public Health Nursing
- Best Master's in Nursing Administration (MSN) Degrees
- Dual MSN/MHA
- Dual MSN/MPH Degree
- Master's in Forensic Nursing
- MSN in Health Systems Management (HSM) Online Degree & Campus
- Best MSN in Executive Nurse Leadership
- MSN in Care Coordination
- MSN in Case Management
- Master's in Health Informatics (MSN)
- Master's in Healthcare Policy (MSN)
- MSN in Patient Safety and Quality
- MSN Salary
- Best Dual MSN MBA