Massachusetts is a state that's embracing the trend of higher education for its nursing workforce. With an aging population, registered nurses (RNs) are more in-demand than ever, and hospitals are raising the bar for patient care. RNs who have previously completed an Associate's Degree in Nursing are eligible to complete their baccalaureate education via one of the state's RN to BSN programs, poising themselves for better nursing jobs and higher pay.
2026 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Massachusetts
Northeastern University
Boston, MA - Private 4-year - northeastern.edu
Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN Program
Online Learning - Visit Website
Northeastern University's online RN-to-BSN program empowers registered nurses to accelerate their professional development through a flexible, comprehensive curriculum. Tailored for working healthcare professionals, students can complete the degree part-time in two years or full-time in just one year. The program strategically prepares nurses for expanding healthcare roles by offering over 200 interactive learning activities that cultivate advanced decision-making skills. With a military-friendly approach, the program addresses the projected 80% increase in baccalaureate-prepared nursing positions, positioning graduates for enhanced career opportunities in an evolving healthcare environment.
- Online flexible degree completion
- Part-time or full-time options
- Over 200 online learning activities
- Supports career advancement
- Designed for working RNs
Endicott College
Beverly, MA - Private 4-year - endicott.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Endicott College's fully online RN to BSN program offers a dynamic educational pathway for working registered nurses seeking degree advancement. Strategically designed for healthcare professionals, the program requires 126 total credits and boasts an impressive 99% job placement rate. Students benefit from early clinical experience opportunities and comprehensive curriculum that integrates theoretical nursing knowledge with practical leadership skills. The program is CCNE accredited and provides clinical partnerships with top hospitals. Notably, full-time enrollment is required with a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission. While no specific entrance exam is mentioned, prospective students must have an active RN license and demonstrate professional nursing experience.
- Online flexible format
- 126 total credits required
- Clinical experience early sophomore year
- 99% job placement rate
- 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
- Full-time enrollment required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA admission
- Clinical partnerships with top hospitals
- Fifth year Master's option
- CCNE accredited program
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA - Public 4-Year - fitchburgstate.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BS in Nursing
Online Learning - Visit Website
Fitchburg State University's RN to BSN online program delivers a dynamic, flexible educational pathway for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. Through a concise 12-month accelerated curriculum, students can complete 32 credit hours at an affordable total tuition of $9,952. The CCNE-accredited program emphasizes critical skills in evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and professional leadership. Designed for nurses with existing associate degrees, the program uniquely integrates social justice principles and holistic patient care approaches. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and hold a valid RN license. This online format enables nurses to balance professional responsibilities while expanding their academic credentials and preparing for advanced nursing roles in public health, care coordination, and case management.
- CCNE-accredited nursing program
- Online accelerated format
- 32 total credit hours
- $9,952 total tuition
- As few as 12 months completion
- Valid RN license required
- Minimum 2.5 GPA needed
- Prepares for advanced nursing roles
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA - Public 4-Year - worcester.edu
Bachelor's - Nursing Major Track Two (RN-to-BS Program)
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Worcester State University's innovative RN-to-BSN hybrid program transforms experienced registered nurses into advanced healthcare professionals. Designed for nurses with associate degrees or diplomas, the program emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and comprehensive patient care skills. Students explore complex healthcare domains including pediatrics, community health, mental health, and leadership principles. The flexible hybrid format accommodates working nurses, enabling seamless career advancement. Coursework integrates cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary communication strategies, preparing nurses to excel in diverse healthcare environments. Program highlights include multiple clinical experiences, leadership development, and a strong emphasis on ethical decision-making and professional growth.
- Hybrid program format
- For licensed RNs
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum
- Advanced professional development
- Multiple clinical experiences
- Leadership and management focus
- Evidence-based practice emphasis
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA - Private 4-year - baypath.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Bay Path University's online RN to BSN program offers a strategic pathway for registered nurses seeking academic advancement. Designed with working professionals in mind, the program enables students to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing within 18-24 months through fully asynchronous coursework. CCNE-accredited and featuring a flexible curriculum, students can leverage up to 84 transfer credits and benefit from discounted tuition rates for Baystate Health-affiliated nurses. The program emphasizes comprehensive support, including free tutoring, mentorship from practicing nurses, and extensive health library resources. No specific entrance exam requirements are mentioned, making it an accessible option for RNs looking to elevate their professional credentials.
- 100% online program
- 18-24 month completion
- $300 per credit for Baystate RNs
- CCNE-accredited nursing program
- Up to 84 transfer credits
- Asynchronous 6-week sessions
- Mentorship by practicing nurses
- Free tutoring available
- Extensive health library resources
Fast & Affordable Program Options
Many nurses looking to add quick and easy value to their professional portfolio seek out bridge programs to achieve higher-level degrees. If you’re just starting out as a nurse and you already have an associate degree and an RN license, an RN to BSN program is probably the best value in terms of affordability and timeliness.
Quickest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
While many traditional BSN programs can take students four years or more to complete, an RN to BSN program has a much faster timeline to graduation. From start to finish, you can expect to complete your degree program in under two years, depending on how many credits you’re transferring and the program’s curriculum. Below are a few examples of the quickest RN to BSN programs in Massachusetts.
| School | Degree Name | Length |
| UMass Boston | Online RN to BSN | 3 Semesters |
| Emmanuel College | Online RN to BSN | 16 months |
Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
Yes, they do. However, it will be a challenge to locate these types of programs in Massachusetts as only a handful exist nationwide. To qualify, you’ll need at least an associate degree and a large number of transferable credits. You’ll also need a current and unencumbered RN license and at least a year of experience in the nursing field. Talk to your prospective school’s admissions department to learn if you qualify for a 6-month RN to BSN program.
Affordable Online RN to BSN Options
Lastly, you can expect to save money on tuition if you decide to go with an RN to BSN program instead of a traditional BSN program. Because you’ll be spending less time in the classroom, you’ll likely only be required to pay a portion of the tuition, especially if you are a Massachusetts state resident or an online student as many RN to BSN programs offer lower rates for these two groups. Below are a few examples of schools that offer the lowest rates of tuition for RN to BSN programs in the state:
| School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
| Salem State University | RN to BSN | $12,338.40 per year (Resident) $19,531.20 per year (Non-Resident) |
| UMass Boston | Online RN to BSN | $15,132 per year (Resident) $36,105 per year (Non-Resident) |
Learn more about the cheapest RN to BSN Degrees.
Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
To be admitted to your school of choice's RN to BSN program, you'll need to carefully follow the application instructions and be sure you meet the requirements. Some schools have limited enrollment, so it's important to ensure you are well-qualified. Common entrance requirements for accredited schools in the state include:
- Completion of an accredited associate degree in nursing program or a hospital school diploma program
- Current, valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Current citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America with work authorization and residency in the United States
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
Students enrolled in an RN to BSN program take a mix of general education courses, advanced nursing courses, and electives or required support courses. As part of their RN to BSN program, Salem State University offers the following nursing course titles:
- Explorations of the Professional Nursing Role
- Health Assessment Across the Life Span
- Nursing Research
- Healthcare Issues, Policy, and Economics
- Nursing Informatics
2025 List of RN to BSN Programs in Massachusetts
To discover the best accredited RN to BSN programs in the state, check out our listings below.
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Beverly, MA
Endicott College
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Online flexible format
- 126 total credits required
- Clinical experience early sophomore year
- 99% job placement rate
- 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
- Full-time enrollment required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA admission
- Clinical partnerships with top hospitals
Boston, MA
Northeastern University
- Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN Program
Online Learning - Website
- Online flexible degree completion
- Part-time or full-time options
- Over 200 online learning activities
- Supports career advancement
- Designed for working RNs
University of Massachusetts-Boston
- Bachelor's - Nursing RN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Program
- Complete in One Year
- 42 Transfer Credits
- Five Nursing Courses
- Community Service Learning
- Fully Accredited Program
- 2.5 GPA Requirement
- National RN Licensure Accepted
Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg State University
- Bachelor's - RN to BS in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE-accredited nursing program
- Online accelerated format
- 32 total credit hours
- $9,952 total tuition
- As few as 12 months completion
- Valid RN license required
- Minimum 2.5 GPA needed
- Prepares for advanced nursing roles
Longmeadow, MA
Bay Path University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 100% online program
- 18-24 month completion
- $300 per credit for Baystate RNs
- CCNE-accredited nursing program
- Up to 84 transfer credits
- Asynchronous 6-week sessions
- Mentorship by practicing nurses
- Free tutoring available
Milton, MA
Curry College
- Bachelor's - RN to BS
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid learning format
- Designed for working RNs
- Pathway to bachelor's degree
- Flexible academic progression
- Career advancement opportunity
Laboure College of Healthcare
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 16 months to complete
- 100% Online program
- Ranked #1 RN-BSN in MA
- Flexible humanities electives
- Professional nursing courses
- Evidence-based practice focus
- Leadership and management training
- Senior capstone project
North Dartmouth, MA
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
- Bachelor's - Nursing RN-BS Online
Online Learning - Website
- Online RN to BSN degree
- 31 total credits required
- Accredited nursing program
- Flexible learning environment
- Expand career opportunities
- Ranked top 50 nationwide
- Military friendly school
- One-on-one personal advising
Paxton, MA
Anna Maria College
- Bachelor's - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Online asynchronous program
- 8-week semester format
- Multiple start dates
- No NCLEX required
- Affordable private college
- Holistic nursing approach
- Access to campus resources
- Social networking opportunities
Weston, MA
Regis College
- Bachelor's - BS in Nursing (RN to BS Degree Completion)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 12-16 months program duration
- Online/hybrid learning modality
- 45 transfer credits awarded
- $399 per credit cost
- No clinical component required
- Personalized curriculum planning
- Career advancement opportunities
- Direct MSN pathway
Worcester, MA
Worcester State University
- Bachelor's - Nursing Major Track Two (RN-to-BS Program)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format
- For licensed RNs
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum
- Advanced professional development
- Multiple clinical experiences
- Leadership and management focus
- Evidence-based practice emphasis