Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
- 48
- Schools
- $57,564
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,432
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,821
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 48 schools run from $36,966 to $125,557, a 3.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Middlesex Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $50,651 in median earnings against $2,624 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Middlesex Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,624 a year in net price.
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Boston College graduates 91% of its students, versus a 49% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Massachusetts Bay Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.12× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Simmons University ($63,494 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($125,557), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Middlesex Community College costs $2,624 a year and Boston College costs $41,704. Yet their graduates earn $50,651 and $103,937, nowhere near the $39,080 price gap.
- On value, Middlesex Community College beats Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Middlesex Community College and Boston College. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $53K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Simmons University #1 overall | $63,494 ▲ +10% vs avg | $25,265 | 72% | 83 |
| 2 Massachusetts Bay Community College #2 overall | $52,654 ▼ -9% vs avg | $7,169 | 16% | 81 |
| 3 Mount Wachusett Community College #3 overall | $41,118 ▼ -29% vs avg | $7,931 | 27% | 81 |
| $55,383 ▼ -4% vs avg | $14,271 | 51% | 80 | |
| $51,540 ▼ -10% vs avg | $17,545 | 66% | 80 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 48 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $57,564 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $19,432.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Middlesex Community College — Net Price: $2,624 | Graduation Rate: 23%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Boston College — 91% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $125,557
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$52,764
Median earnings (10yr)
51%
Median graduation rate
$17,145
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Health-professions programs sit at the center of one of the country’s most acute labor stories. An aging population and chronic shortages in nursing and allied health mean these programs are, in effect, staffing the health system. The schools that rise here pair classroom training with real clinical placements and strong licensure pass rates. That pairing is the difference between holding a credential and holding a job.
Start with the medians across these 48 schools. Graduates earn a median of $52,764 ten years after enrollment, or about $4,764 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 51%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $17,145 a year with about $23,750 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 33% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.7%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Simmons University leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $52,764 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Simmons University lands at #1 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,494 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Massachusetts Bay Community College lands at #2 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,654 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,169 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Mount Wachusett Community College lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $41,118 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,931 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Bay Path University lands at #4 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,383 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
College of Our Lady of the Elms lands at #5 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,540 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,545 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Northeastern University lands at #6 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 61% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
North Shore Community College lands at #7 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,000 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Northern Essex Community College lands at #8 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $42,862 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,046 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Boston College lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 81% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Bristol Community College lands at #10 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,663 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,547 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Springfield College lands at #11 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $48,036 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,587 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Worcester State University lands at #12 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,624 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,381 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Fitchburg State University lands at #13 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $53,874 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,262 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Boston University lands at #14 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Curry College lands at #15 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $54,400 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,207 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Regis College lands at #16 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,873 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,477 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Salem State University lands at #17 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $56,662 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,996 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Greenfield Community College lands at #18 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,132 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,679 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Quincy College lands at #19 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,506 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,126 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Cape Cod Community College lands at #20 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,670 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,296 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Berkshire Community College lands at #21 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $38,832 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,921 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Boston, MA · 85% accepted · $39,545 net
Why it ranks #22
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #22 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $125,557 a decade after enrolling, 118% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,545 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Bunker Hill Community College lands at #23 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,618 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,818 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Westfield State University lands at #24 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $57,346 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,721 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Assumption University lands at #25 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $74,895 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,498 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Quinsigamond Community College lands at #26 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,949 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,090 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Lasell University lands at #27 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $49,705 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,511 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Springfield Technical Community College lands at #28 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,966 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,662 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
American International College lands at #29 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $53,124 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,274 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Massasoit Community College lands at #30 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $46,111 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,460 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Bridgewater State University lands at #31 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,466 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,383 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #32
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #32 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $48,102 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Endicott College lands at #33 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $58,336 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,654 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Holyoke Community College lands at #34 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $37,277 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of Massachusetts-Boston lands at #35 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $65,865 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,707 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Emmanuel College lands at #36 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $68,245 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,706 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Merrimack College lands at #37 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $75,584 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,927 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Western New England University lands at #38 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,157 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,290 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Stonehill College lands at #39 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $77,745 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,016 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Fisher College lands at #40 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $49,669 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,649 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Anna Maria College lands at #41 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $46,651 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,333 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
North Dartmouth, MA · 91% accepted · $20,927 net
Why it ranks #42
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth lands at #42 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $68,804 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,927 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #43 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $71,631 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Roxbury Community College lands at #44 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (33/100). Graduates earn a median $38,773 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,244 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Framingham State University lands at #45 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,349 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,114 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Lesley University lands at #46 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $51,173 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,152 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
University of Massachusetts-Lowell lands at #47 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $64,874 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,163 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Middlesex Community College lands at #48 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Graduates earn a median $50,651 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,624 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 48 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing a nursing program is a critical decision for many students and families. With 49 nursing colleges across Massachusetts, each institution brings unique strengths to the table. Understanding these differences can help prospective students find the right fit for their career goals.
What sets the top nursing colleges apart is their ability to deliver strong outcomes for graduates. Metrics like earnings after graduation, graduation rates, and student debt levels provide a clearer picture of how well these programs prepare students for their careers. As you review the list below, keep an eye on these numbers to gauge which schools might offer the best return on your investment.
For instance, Northeastern University leads the pack with impressive earnings of $92,538 and a graduation rate of 90%. In contrast, North Shore Community College has lower earnings at $45,391 and a much lower graduation rate of just 18%. This contrast highlights the importance of evaluating both financial and academic outcomes when making your choice.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 41 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.7%. Lasell University leads the group at 3.1%, with American International College (2.7%) and Quincy College (2.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Roxbury Community College leads at 36.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.7% across this list. Boston College posts the highest success rate at 56.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.50 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Boston College reaches 1.89, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing nursing programs, consider how MCPHS University outperforms North Shore Community College in key metrics. MCPHS boasts an average earning of $125,557 compared to North Shore's $45,391, alongside a graduation rate of 63% versus North Shore's 18%. This illustrates how program quality and support can significantly impact outcomes.
As you sift through this list of 49 schools, reflect on your priorities. Are you looking for a program that guarantees a high earning potential, or is a lower cost of attendance more important? Consider factors like location, campus culture, and the specific nursing specialties offered as you narrow down your choices.
Ultimately, the data reflects the broader reality of educational investment. For many families, selecting a nursing college is not just about immediate earnings but about building a stable future. Each decision leads to different pathways, influencing not only careers but also long-term financial well-being for graduates and their families.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts ranking? +
Simmons University in Boston, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $63,494 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 72% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest median earnings on this list: $125,557 ten years after enrollment, well above the $57,564 average across the 48 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Middlesex Community College leads: graduates earn a median $50,651 against net price of about $2,624 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Boston College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 91%, compared with a 49% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,432 a year across the 48 ranked schools with cost data. Middlesex Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,624. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 48 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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