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 2026
These are the strongest online-eligible NP programs in Massachusetts, chosen for their combination of graduate outcomes, institutional quality, and support for distance learners. The cards below highlight tuition, graduation rates, and the specialty tracks each program offers, so you can match a program to your career goals and schedule.
How this list was built
- Graduate earnings and debt
- Institutional graduation rates
- Online delivery flexibility
- Program accreditation
- Internal program database
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Independent program research
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
#1Lowell, MA · $16,000/yr
Best for: Budget-conscious working RNs
UMass Lowell's MSN and DNP offerings span family and adult-gerontology primary care, with the FNP track delivered online and enhanced by four on-campus days built around simulated patient encounters. The program is a popular public option for Massachusetts nurses, with per-credit tuition below most private competitors. Multiple entry points include a 45-credit MSN and 60- or 75-credit DNP paths, and the curriculum is CCNE-accredited. No GRE is required for admission.
- 45 total credit hours
- Online format with four on-campus days
- $610 per credit tuition
- No GRE required for admission
- 750 clinical hours included
- CCNE accredited
- Prepares for FNP certification exams
- 15 total courses
- 45-credit hybrid curriculum
- Hybrid format with rolling admissions
- 2-year full-time or 3-5 year part-time
- Test optional admission
- Up to 6 transfer credits accepted
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prepares for AGNP certification exam
- Goal statement required
- 60 total credit hours
- 4-year program with hybrid delivery
- Capstone project required
- Fast Track option for UML graduates
- Massachusetts RN license required
- Admissions interview required
- 2 letters of recommendation required
- 75 total credit hours
- 2-year full-time or 3-year part-time
- Four two-day on-campus intensives
- Per-credit tuition rate
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- Interdisciplinary curriculum in finance and informatics
- Designed for advanced practice nurses
- 4-year full-time or 5-year part-time plan
- Hybrid course delivery
- BSN from accredited program required
- Statistics prerequisite with B or better
- DNP scholarly project required
- Fast Track for UML BS students
- Interview part of admission
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
#2Amherst, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
Best for: Fully online learners seeking DNP pathways
UMass Amherst's Elaine Marieb College of Nursing offers fully online DNP concentrations in family practice and psychiatric mental health, plus a post-master's PMHNP certificate. The DNP tracks require no campus visits and offer multiple start dates, making them a strong fit for nurses outside the Boston area. Clinical hour requirements are built into the curriculum, and the college is CCNE-accredited. Some states are excluded from enrollment, so Massachusetts-based applicants should confirm eligibility.
- 28-30 credits required
- 100% online delivery
- For nurses with a master's degree
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- Clinical hours in behavioral health settings
- Not available in AL, MN, NY, OR, WA
- CCNE accredited
- 75 total credit hours
- Fully online coursework
- 752 clinical hours
- Three start dates per year
- Post-baccalaureate entry from BSN
- Priority admission deadline October 15
- Accredited by CCNE
- 728 clinical hours
- No campus visits required
- 4-year or 5-year plan
- 3 start dates annually
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Individualized plans of study
Salem State University
#3Salem, MA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
Best for: Part-time evening students balancing careers
Salem State's MSN in adult-gerontology primary care is structured as a part-time, three-year hybrid program with evening classes, tailored for working nurses. The curriculum includes 42 credits and supervised practicum hours in community clinics, long-term care, and North Shore health systems. Non-matriculated students can begin selected courses before formal admission, and no entrance exam is required.
- 42 total credit hours
- Three-year part-time plan
- Hybrid evening classes
- No entrance exam required
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Transfer up to 9 credits
- Non-matriculated students welcome
- Designed for working RNs
University of Massachusetts-Boston
#4Boston, MA · $20,000/yr
UMass Boston's College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers an MSN with a family nurse practitioner concentration and a 73-credit DNP in adult-gerontology primary care. The MSN combines 48 credits of coursework with a capstone and requires one year of clinical experience for admission. The DNP includes BS-to-DNP and MS-to-DNP entry and an en-route master's option. The online post-master's FNP certificate is no longer accepting new applications.
- 48 total credit hours
- Hybrid format with online coursework
- One year of clinical experience required
- Massachusetts RN license required
- Capstone project required
- Fall and spring start dates
- No F-1 visa eligibility
- Five-year completion limit
- 73 total credit hours
- 1,065 clinical hours
- BS-to-DNP and MS-to-DNP entry
- En-route master's degree available
- Starts in fall
- Scholarly capstone required
- Clinical immersion elective available
Bay Path University
#5Longmeadow, MA · $15,000/yr
Bay Path's DNP with a family nurse practitioner concentration is delivered completely online with no required campus visits, a deliberate fit for nurses in western Massachusetts and other rural areas. The 70-credit curriculum includes 1,000 practice hours and is grounded in the AACN Essentials. BSN-to-DNP and post-master's entry options are both available, and the program earned a 10-year CCNE accreditation.
- 70 total credit hours
- 100% online, non-residency format
- 1,000 practice hours
- BSN-to-DNP and post-master's entry
- Capstone project required
- Curriculum based on AACN Essentials
- Prepares for FNP role
- Three concentration options
Regis College
#6Weston, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
Regis College offers online MSN and BSN-to-DNP programs across pediatric, women's health, family, and adult-gerontology acute care specialties. The online MSN programs include multiple entry points, including ADN-to-MSN, and the DNP was the first in the Boston area. Clinical placement coordination support is built into the online experience, and no campus visits are required. The college is ACEN-accredited.
- Complete in 26-38 months
- $1,061 per credit
- 83% licensure pass rate
- Prepares for PNCB certification
- Three entry points including ADN
- Clinical placements in your area
- ACEN accredited
- 26-38 month completion timeline
- Same per-credit tuition rate
- 100% licensure pass rate
- Prepares for ANCC certification
- Clinical placement assistance
- No campus visits required
- 40-month program
- $1,025 per credit
- 800 clinical hours
- 100% online, no campus visit
- First DNP program in Boston area
- Transfer up to 9 graduate credits
- 6 concentration options
- 73 total credit hours
- 600 clinical hours
- Complete in as few as 40 months
- No GRE or GMAT required
- Family care across all ages
- Transfer credits accepted
- 10% alumni discount available
- One year critical care experience required
- 40-month completion timeline
- 100% online coursework
- Clinical coordinator placement assistance
- Per-credit tuition comparable to other DNP tracks
- Six DNP concentration options
College of Our Lady of the Elms
#7Chicopee, MA · $18,000/yr
Elms College provides hybrid DNP and post-graduate APRN certificate options in family and adult-gerontology acute care, with a strong western Massachusetts clinical network. The DNP programs require 80 credits and include 1,000 clinical hours for acute care students, while the certificates use individualized gap analysis for already-certified APRNs. Clinical placement support is provided, and faculty are practicing nurse practitioners.
- For certified APRNs adding FNP
- Individualized gap analysis determines coursework
- Hybrid program format
- Prepares for national certification exams
- Option to continue to DNP
- 15-20 hours weekly commitment
- Clinical practicum hours required
- For certified APRNs adding acute care
- Gap analysis sets credit requirements
- Two-year completion timeline
- Prepares for national certification
- Prior coursework transfer possible
- DNP continuation option available
- 80 total credit hours
- Three-year completion plan
- Synchronous and asynchronous options
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- Clinical placement support provided
- Designed for practicing RNs
- Faculty-mentored scholarly project
- 31% job growth expected
- 80-credit DNP curriculum
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Hybrid online and in-person classes
- BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP paths
- Prepares for ANCC certification
- Clinical placement support included
- Requires RN licensure in MA, CT, RI, NY
Simmons University
#8Boston, MA · $25,000 – $30,000/yr
Simmons University offers a broad portfolio of online and hybrid NP pathways, including MSN, post-graduate certificate, direct-entry DNP, and BSN-to-DNP options. The online MSN and certificate programs are CCNE-accredited and approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Direct-entry DNP students access Boston-area clinical sites and can complete MSN requirements before advancing to the DNP. High board pass rates and multiple start dates make it a flexible option.
- Online format
- Three annual start dates
- Rolling admissions
- Prepares for FNP board certification
- Financial aid available
- 49 total credit hours
- 756 clinical hours
- Full-time in 24 months or part-time in 32
- CCNE accredited
- ANCC certification eligible
- BSN and RN required
- Post-master's certificate option
- Online with clinical placement assistance
- No GRE required
- Rolling admissions with three start dates
- Scholarships available
- High board pass rates
- 27 total credit hours
- Online with on-campus immersion
- For current APRNs with a graduate degree
- Full-time in 16 months or part-time in 20
- Eligible for ANCC certification
- Accredited by CCNE
- 104 total credit hours
- Hybrid format
- 97% licensure pass rate
- 1,400 clinical hours
- Access to Boston hospital clinical sites
- Prepares for FNP certification exam
- 108 total credit hours
- Hybrid online and campus format
- 97% pass rate on licensure exams
- 1,400+ clinical hours
- Earn MSN before DNP
- Prepares for PMHNP certification
- Three concentration options
- Includes MSN Leadership conferral
- No entrance exam required
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP FNP certification
- Fee waivers for military and non-profits
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
#9North Dartmouth, MA · $17,000/yr
UMass Dartmouth offers online certificates of advanced graduate study in psychiatric mental health and adult-gerontology primary care, alongside a hybrid DNP with concentrations in both fields. The CAGS options are asynchronous and designed for nurses who already hold a master's or doctoral degree. The DNP includes 1,008 clinical hours and BS-to-DNP and post-master's tracks. The institution is military friendly and limits class sizes.
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
- Online asynchronous format
- Requires master's or doctoral degree in nursing
- Prepares for PMHNP practice across the lifespan
- Active RN license required
- Two letters of recommendation
- Military friendly institution
- Advanced graduate certificate
- Online asynchronous courses
- Requires master's or doctoral degree
- Prerequisites in pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment
- Current RN license needed
- Culturally responsive care emphasis
- 64 total credit hours
- 1,008 clinical hours
- BS-to-DNP and post-master's tracks
- DNP residency with healthcare leaders
- Translational research project required
- Prepares for ANCC certification
- 64-67 total credit hours
- Psychiatric mental health concentration
- Three-semester DNP residency
- Scholarly project required
- ANCC certification preparation
- BS-to-DNP and post-master's options
MCPHS University
#10Boston, MA · ~$27,000/yr (est.)
MCPHS delivers online MSN and post-master's CAGS programs in family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner roles, plus an RN-to-MSN bridge for associate-degree nurses. All NP tracks include 750 clinical hours and two on-campus residencies, with strong first-time certification pass rates. The programs are CCNE-accredited and offer fall, spring, and summer starts.
- 27-month online program
- 750 clinical hours
- Two on-campus residencies
- 91-92% first-time pass rate
- Fall, spring, and summer starts
- CCNE accredited
- Prepares for FNP certification
- 27-month program length
- 750 clinical hours included
- Two in-person residencies
- 100% ANCC pass rate in 2024
- Three start dates per year
- Accredited by CCNE
- Prepares for PMHNP certification
- Bridge year before MSN coursework
- Designed for associate degree nurses
- 750 clinical hours in MSN phase
- Two campus residencies included
- 91.3% ANCC first-attempt pass rate
- Starts in fall
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
- Online with two in-person residencies
- Individualized study plans
- Graduate nursing background required
- FNP certification exam eligibility
- State eligibility restrictions apply
- Post-master's advanced certificate
- Two on-campus residencies required
- 100% first-time pass rate in 2024
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB exams
- Geographic eligibility requirements apply
- Gap analysis for prior coursework
Endicott College
#11Beverly, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
Endicott's MS in nursing with a family nurse practitioner concentration is a 47-credit hybrid program built for working RNs, with a 27-month completion timeline and 750 supervised clinical hours. The ACEN-accredited program reported a 94% first-attempt certification pass rate in 2024. A 32-credit post-master's FNP certificate is also available, and no GRE is required for either path.
- 47 total credit hours
- 27-month completion timeline
- Hybrid online and on-campus format
- 750 supervised clinical hours
- 94% first-attempt pass rate
- No GRE required
- ACEN accredited
- Eligible for ANCC and AANP certification
- 32-credit post-master's certificate
- Hybrid with online and evening courses
- 600 clinical hours
- $870 per credit
- Eligible for ANCC/AANP certification
- Individual internship placements
- Aligned with AACN and NONPF standards
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 |
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.