2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Middlesex Community College Bedford this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $15,988 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $75,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $70,855 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bunker Hill Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $14,971 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $72,734. That is a strong return on a $14,971 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,125. Nursing graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $74,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at North Shore Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $19,663 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $72,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,663 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,880 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,404. Set against $20,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,866. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $72,980. Set against $16,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,789. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,992. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,135. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenfield Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $75,914. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Berkshire Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pittsfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,712, while out-of-state students pay about $11,328. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,753. Nursing graduates of Berkshire Community College earn a median of $69,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,175 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $74,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Cod Community College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,053. Nursing graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $65,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,053 median debt.
Quincy College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Quincy College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,938. Students borrow a median of $15,600 to complete the nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,506. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Fitchburg State University landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $80,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bay Path College placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,811 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $59,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,811 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $30,343 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $95,552. That is a strong return on a $30,343 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Salem State University landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $94,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $92,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Westfield State University landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,900. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $81,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #23 among the best values for nursing. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $99,349 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $83,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,548 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $95,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
