Best Nursing Schools in Boston

Updated on January 12, 2024

At a Glance

  • Boston is home to some of the top nursing schools in the United States, offering high-quality BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs.
  • The top nursing schools in Boston include Simmons University, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Northeastern University, Boston College, and Boston University.
  • These schools provide excellent clinical training opportunities at renowned medical facilities in Boston.
  • Programs range from traditional BSN options to accelerated programs and online tracks for working nurses.

Boston is home to some of the top nursing schools in the United States. With a mix of large research universities and smaller, specialized colleges, nursing students can find high-quality BSN, MSN, DNP and PhD programs in the Boston area. This article profiles the 10 best nursing schools in Boston.

Simmons University

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 75%

Tuition: $41,544 per year

Avg Salary: $80,000

Website: simmons.edu

Simmons University’s nursing school offers BSN, MSN, DNP and PhD programs. The school has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio and high NCLEX pass rates. Simmons’ accelerated BSN program can be completed in as little as 16 months by students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Its online MSN programs are also highly regarded.

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Tuition: $50,500 per year

Avg Salary: $85,000

Website: mghihp.edu

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is affiliated with the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. It offers several direct-entry MSN tracks for non-nursing college graduates that lead to certification as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. Graduate students get early clinical experience at MGH.

Northeastern University

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 18%

Avg SAT Score: 1420

Tuition: $54,664 per year

Avg Salary: $75,000

Website: northeastern.edu

Northeastern University offers an excellent traditional BSN program with competitive admission. Northeastern nursing students complete six co-ops to gain real-world clinical experience. The school also offers an online RN to BSN program, an accelerated second degree BSN program and several MSN tracks.

Boston College

Location: Chestnut Hill, MA

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 27%

Avg SAT Score: 1425

Tuition: $60,050 per year

Avg Salary: $80,000

Website: bc.edu

The prestigious Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing offers traditional BSN, MSN and DNP programs. Undergraduate students get clinical experience at some of Boston’s best hospitals. Graduate students can specialize as adult gerontology acute care NPs, family NPs or psychiatric mental health NPs.

Boston University

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 19%

Avg SAT Score: 1415

Tuition: $58,476 per year

Avg Salary: $75,000

Website: bu.edu

Boston University’s College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College offers several nursing paths including traditional BSN, an online RN to BSN completion program, a 15-month accelerated MSN program and DNP and PhD options. BU nursing students train at the university’s medical center.

University of Massachusetts Boston

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 63%

Tuition: $16,389 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: umb.edu

The University of Massachusetts Boston provides an affordable nursing education. It offers traditional BSN and RN to BSN programs, seven different MSN concentrations and a DNP program. Graduate students receive clinical training at some of Boston’s major hospitals.

Regis College

Location: Weston, MA

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 73%

Tuition: $44,370 per year

Avg Salary: $75,000

Website: regiscollege.edu

Regis College offers a traditional four-year BSN program with small classes of just 10-15 students. Students get clinical experience starting freshman year. The school also offers RN to BSN, MSN, and post-master’s certificate programs fully online.

Emmanuel College

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 74%

Tuition: $44,105 per year

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: emmanuel.edu

Emmanuel College provides outstanding clinical opportunities at some of Boston’s best medical facilities. Nursing students can pursue a traditional BSN or accelerated second degree BSN. Emmanuel also offers affordable RN to MSN tracks for nurses looking to advance their career.

Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Tuition: $50,500 per year

Avg Salary: $85,000

Website: mghihp.edu

The Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions offers a top-ranked 16–month accelerated nursing program for non-nurses leading to MSN certification as a clinical nurse leader. Students get early clinical experience at MGH facilities through the program’s unique Clinical Education model.

Laboure College

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Tuition: $27,900 per year

Avg Salary: $65,000

Website: laboure.edu

Laboure College provides an affordable nursing education focused on clinical excellence and service learning. It offers a traditional BSN program and an RN to BSN completion program. Many graduates go on to work in community health and service-focused roles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main nursing programs offered in Boston?

The top nursing schools in Boston offer BSN and MSN programs, as well as more advanced DNP and PhD options. Accelerated BSN and direct-entry MSN tracks are also widely available for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

Which Boston nursing school has the highest acceptance rate?

Among the top nursing programs, Laboure College has a 100% acceptance rate and the least competitive admissions. Programs at Simmons, the MGH Institute of Health Professions and Regis College also accept over 70% of applicants.

Which nursing school in Boston is considered the best overall?

While subjective, Boston College and the MGH Institute of Health Professions consistently rank as two of the absolute best nursing schools in Boston and the country based on metrics like NCLEX pass rates, reputation and graduate career outcomes.

What Boston area nursing schools offer dual degree options?

Simmons, Northeastern and Boston College all provide options for nursing students to simultaneously earn a second bachelor’s or master’s degree such as an MBA. Dual degree options allow nurses to specialize in areas like healthcare administration and business.

How much clinical experience do Boston nursing students receive?

Nursing students get extensive hands-on clinical training at Boston’s top hospitals and medical facilities including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s, Boston Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital and the VA Boston Healthcare System.

Is an MSN required to become an advanced practice registered nurse in Massachusetts?

Yes, all nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists and nurse anesthetists must complete an MSN program to qualify for advanced practice certification and licensure in Massachusetts.

What is the average cost of BSN and MSN programs in Boston?

Annual BSN tuition ranges widely from around $16,000 for in-state residents at UMass Boston to over $60,000 at private schools like Boston College. Accelerated direct-entry MSN programs cost $40,000-50,000+ per year.

Which Boston nursing school offers the most flexible schedule options?

Several top programs like Northeastern, Simmons and Regis College offer full-time, part-time, accelerated and 100% online MSN tracks to accommodate working nurses.

How long does it take to complete an MSN in the Boston area?

Full-time MSN students can complete their master’s degree in 2-3 years. Part-time programs may take 3-5 years. Accelerated MSN tracks for non-nurses can be finished in as little as 16 months in some cases.

What are average NP and nursing instructor salaries for Boston graduates?

The average nurse practitioner salary for Boston graduates is $115,000. Nursing professors and instructors earn approximately $83,000 on average according to PayScale data.

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Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.

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