Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Massachusetts (2026)
16 nursing programs at Massachusetts schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is Fitchburg State University – Department of Nursing's Online RN to BSN at $9,952 total. Online programs from 39 more out-of-state schools also enroll Massachusetts residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Massachusetts tuition
- Tuition at Massachusetts schools and campuses ranges from $9,952 to $220,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Compare tuition and financial aid for Massachusetts nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg State University – Department of NursingOnline RN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,952 |
| Regis CollegeRN to BSNOnline · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $22,500 |
| Regis CollegeMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $35,100 |
| Regis CollegeMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerOnline · 30 months | Online | 30 mo | $46,800 |
| Simmons UniversityMSN — Nursing EducationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $50,400 |
Partner programs in Massachusetts.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
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More Massachusetts nursing programs by tuition
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regis CollegeDNPOnline · 36 months | Online | 36 mo | $60,000 |
| Simmons UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerOnline · 36 months | Online | 36 mo | $67,200 |
| Boston CollegeMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months | Hybrid | 24 mo | $67,500 |
| Boston CollegeMSN — Pediatric Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months | Hybrid | 24 mo | $67,500 |
| Regis CollegeAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 16 months | On Campus | 16 mo | $72,000 |
| Simmons UniversityDNPOnline · 36 months | Online | 36 mo | $75,000 |
| Simmons UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $80,000 |
| Boston CollegeDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $82,000 |
| Northeastern University – Bouvé College of Health SciencesAccelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)Hybrid · 16 months | Hybrid | 16 mo | $90,651 |
| Boston CollegePhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $150,000 |
| Boston CollegeBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $220,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Massachusetts residents
These schools are based outside Massachusetts but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $11,400 |
See all online nursing programs for Massachusetts residents →
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Massachusetts
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Massachusetts is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Massachusetts state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Massachusetts’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Massachusetts Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Massachusetts grants full independent practice to NPs — no physician oversight required, maximizing earning potential for MSN/DNP graduates.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Massachusetts nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Massachusetts often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Massachusetts include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Massachusetts grants nurse practitioners full practice authority: NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing, without a required physician collaboration agreement.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Massachusetts
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a full-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Massachusetts
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Massachusetts.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Massachusetts?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Massachusetts with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Massachusetts as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Massachusetts?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Massachusetts?
Compare nursing programs in Massachusetts
- All nursing programs in Massachusetts
- Online nursing programs in MassachusettsPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in MassachusettsPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in MassachusettsSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Massachusetts
- ADN programs in MassachusettsAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in MassachusettsFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.