2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Massachusetts

[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
For return on investment in nursing science, no school beat University Of Massachusetts Boston this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $30,343 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $95,552 early in their careers. Set against $30,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Salem State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $28,500. Nursing Science graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $94,196 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Lowell one of the best values for nursing science. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $92,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,325. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $83,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $29,548. Nursing Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $95,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Anna Maria College earned the #6 position for value in nursing science this year. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,571. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $30,954 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $81,066. That is a strong return on a $30,954 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Northeastern University earned the #7 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Endicott College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $88,417 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
Boston College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $13,250. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $95,349. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
More Nursing Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.