Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Massachusetts | 2026
Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Nurse.org’s Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Massachusetts
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Simmons University | $1,400 per credit hour | 16 months | CCNE |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | $1,400 per credit hour | 3 years | CCNE |
| Northeastern University | $2,031 per credit hour | 2 years | CCNE |
| Boston College | $1,876 per credit hour | 2 years | CCNE |
We’re highlighting four direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts. These programs are a mix of public and private with varying program lengths, which makes pursuing an education while working or caring for loved ones more feasible. These programs take between 16 and 36 months to complete.
This accelerated program in the heart of Boston prepares students to earn their MSN-RN in only 16 months. Graduates of the program have an average of an 96.88% NCLEX pass rate, which is above the national average. Students are also highly prepared for real-world nursing with over 700 total lab simulations and clinical hours. Because the program is affiliated with so many healthcare facilities, students have access to an impressive 850 different clinical sites, offering a wide range of hands-on experiences and world-class healthcare systems like Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women's, and Boston Children's.
Program Highlights
- Location: Boston, MA
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- School Type: Private
Requirements
- Contact school for specific admission requirements
Program Information
- Contact Information:
This program only offers MSN-NP specialty tracks, so it's appropriate for individuals who have a Bachelor's in Nursing or a non-nursing degree who are looking to become a nurse practitioner. It does not offer an MSN-RN-only path, so it's best only for those looking to become advanced practitioner nurses. The program is a competitive one, and there is a waitlist for students who are not accepted on their first attempt. The semester starts every fall, and applicants must apply for admission by March of the same year. Students had a 100% NCLEX pass rate and an 88% first-time ANCC Nurse Practitioner Board Exam pass rate.
Program Highlights
- Location: Boston, MA
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN-NP
- School Type: Private
Requirements
- Contact school for specific admission requirements
Program Information
- Contact Information:
Northeastern University prepares students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to go directly into advanced practice nursing, with four specialty nurse practitioner (NP) tracks to choose from. Some of the NP tracks are available online, while others require a full-time, in-person commitment. In most cases, 16 months of the program qualify students to sit for their NCLEX-RN exam. Upon passing, students must then work 1-2 years as an RN before continuing on with their advanced practice nursing education to become an NP. Applicants are required to have prerequisites completed, along with two letters of recommendation from non-family and friends. General healthcare volunteer experience is also highly encouraged.
Program Highlights
- Location: Boston, MA
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Neonatal NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- School Type: Private
Requirements
- Contact school for specific admission requirements
Program Information
- Contact Information:
Students from a non-nursing background with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are invited to apply to Boston College's MSN program that prepares them to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). While applicants technically don't need to take it, the program prefers a GRE for admission consideration. A rigorous, year-round program prepares students with an impressive 810 clinical hours and plenty of support along the way. The program begins in the summer (in July), so students are required to apply for early admission in October of the preceding year or at the latest, in December of the preceding year. Like other Boston-affiliated programs, the MSN-RN program is highly ranked, with access to many prestigious MA healthcare facilities, and graduate students have a 100% NCLEX pass rate.
Program Highlights
- Location: Chestnut Hill, MA
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Pediatric Primary Care NP, Women's Health NP
- School Type: Private
Requirements
- Contact school for specific admission requirements
Program Information
- Contact Information:
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program in Massachusetts
Direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts are most common for people with a non-nursing background who are looking to get into nursing in a fast and reliable pathway. With a bachelor's in a non-nursing field, an MSN degree can be achieved in as little as 16 months to three years.
Direct-entry MSN programs may also make sense for some nurses already working in Massachusetts since the state does not require its nurses to hold a BSN to practice. However, many individual hospitals mandate that their RNs earn their BSN within a certain number of years working in the hospital. Some nurses may instead choose to earn their MSNs.
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Massachusetts
Tuition for direct-entry MSN programs varies by program. The most affordable programs on our list are Simmons College and MGH Institute of Health Professions, coming in at $1,400 per credit hour. On the highest end of our list is Northeastern University at $2,031 per credit hour and Boston College right behind it at $1,876 per credit hour. Don’t forget to also consider other university fees, commuting costs, and fees for study materials.
Admission Requirements for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Massachusetts
Admission requirements for direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts differ depending on the school. To understand the specific standards of your chosen school, you should speak with an academic advisor.
However, most direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts will have these general prerequisites:
- A Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses (per program)
- All transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed school application
Are Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Massachusetts Difficult?
The direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts are considered to be rigorous and competitive. Most direct-entry MSN programs, regardless of the state, are considered full-time programs, meaning students are generally discouraged from working outside of the program. Some programs may also require weekends, evenings, and year-round course and clinical work.
What to Expect Working as an APRN in Massachusetts
NP Salary in Massachusetts
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average wage for nurse practitioners in Massachusetts is $145,140, or $69.78 per hour, which is higher than the national median annual salary for NPs, which is $129,210 per year. Massachusetts ranks #5 on the list of highest paying states for NPs in the country.
APRNs, in general, earn an average salary of $132,050 per year, $63.48 per hour, and the field is expected to grow 35% (much faster than average) over the next ten years. Going from RN to APRN provides you with not only more responsibilities but also more career opportunities to grow into.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the NP career field will grow 35% (much faster than average) over the coming decade. Additionally, it estimates 134,000 openings for APRNs each year. Currently, Massachusetts is home to 8,920 NPs.
Where Can You Work? RN Jobs in Massachusetts
Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in several locations as a nurse. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
Next Steps
The top direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts are perfect for working nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue becoming an NP or APRN. These graduate programs allow you to take the next step in your career, even if you started in a non-nursing field.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
FAQs
Additional Resources
For more information on earning a direct-entry MSN, check out these resources:
- Top Direct-Entry Master's in Nursing (MSN) Programs
- Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026
- Types of Master's in Nursing (MSN) Degrees | Programs 2026
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