Best Nursing Schools in New England

Updated on April 8, 2024

At a Glance

  • New England is home to top nursing schools and programs
  • Highly competitive admissions and excellent career prospects
  • Options for BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD nursing pathways
  • Consider factors like tuition, clinical experience, and location when choosing a nursing program

New England is home to some of the top nursing schools and programs in the country. With an aging population and growing demand for healthcare services, nurses have excellent career prospects across the region. Choosing the right nursing school is an important decision that will impact your education, training, and job opportunities after graduation.

Yale School of Nursing

Location: New Haven, CT

Rating: 9.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 3%

Tuition: $60,360 per year

Avg Salary: $80,000

Website: https://nursing.yale.edu

The Yale School of Nursing offers MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. It is consistently ranked among the top nursing schools in the country. Yale’s world-renowned faculty pioneers nursing research and prepares advanced practice nurses to be leaders in the field. The small class sizes and Ivy League resources provide an unparalleled educational experience.

Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 15%

Tuition: $49,968 per year

Avg Salary: $75,000

Website: www.mghihp.edu

Affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MGH IHP is one of the most prestigious nursing schools in Boston. They offer direct entry MSN programs to train highly skilled nurses and nurse practitioners. Clinical rotations take place at MGH, widely regarded as one of the best hospitals in the world.

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 7%

Avg SAT Score: 1450

Tuition: $57,000 per year

Avg Salary: $80,000

Website: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/

UPenn’s Ivy League nursing school is world-renowned for innovation in research and education. The direct entry MSN program allows students with a BA/BS in another field to transition into advanced practice nursing. UPenn nurses pursue leadership roles improving healthcare delivery across diverse populations.

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

Location: Baltimore, MD

Rating: 9.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 4%

Tuition: $54,100 per year

Avg Salary: $80,000

Website: https://nursing.jhu.edu/

The #1 ranked MSN program, Johns Hopkins prepares elite nurse scientists and clinicians. Nurses have access to cutting-edge research facilities and work alongside expert faculty advancing healthcare. Graduates take on leadership roles as administrators, policy experts, and top-tier advanced practice registered nurses.

Boston College Connell School of Nursing

Location: Chestnut Hill, MA

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 29%

Avg SAT Score: 1350

Tuition: $55,000 per year

Avg Salary: $75,000

Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/connell-school-of-nursing.html

Regarded as one of the best nursing schools in the Northeast, Boston College prepares caring nurse leaders grounded in Jesuit values. Undergraduate and graduate students benefit from clinical placements across Boston’s top hospitals and community health centers. Alumni take on leadership roles advancing clinical care, research, policy, and education.

University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Nursing

Location: Burlington, VT

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 73%

Avg SAT Score: 1230

Tuition: $18,276 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: https://www.uvm.edu/cnhs

The University of Vermont’s CCNE accredited nursing programs integrate classroom learning and hands-on clinical experience. Undergraduate students become eligible for RN licensure after successful program completion. Graduate students may pursue nurse practitioner or nursing education pathways tailored towards working professionals.

University of New Hampshire Nursing

Location: Durham, NH

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 77%

Avg SAT Score: 1180

Tuition: $18,499 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $68,000

Website: https://chhs.unh.edu/nursing

UNH Nursing prepares students for RN and APRN licensure. Undergraduate students gain clinical experience across the state in hospitals, community health centers, and home health agencies. Graduate students may pursue affordably priced MSN concentrations as family nurse practitioners or clinical nurse leaders.

University of Rhode Island Nursing

Location: Kingston, RI

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 72%

Avg SAT Score: 1110

Tuition: $16,898 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $65,000

Website: https://web.uri.edu/nursing/

The University of Rhode Island Nursing offers exceptional value within a public university setting. Undergraduates take coursework blending the arts, sciences, and humanities. Graduate pathways include CNL and DNP programs with clinical placements across Rhode Island’s top hospitals and community health centers.

University of Connecticut School of Nursing

Location: Storrs, CT

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 49%

Avg SAT Score: 1250

Tuition: $18,518 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: https://nursing.uconn.edu/

UCONN’s Nursing School prides itself on excellence in research and clinical education. Undergraduates gain real world skills during clinical rotations across Connecticut. Graduate students may pursue nurse practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or PhD research pathways preparing them for leadership and advanced practice roles.

Simmons University Nursing

Location: Boston, MA

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 72%

Tuition: $44,524 per year

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: https://www.simmons.edu/academics/schools/school-of-nursing-and-health-sciences

Simmons Nursing prepares undergraduates and graduate students for RN and APRN roles. Their direct entry MSN program is one of the top in Massachusetts, allowing non-nurses to transition into advanced roles. Small class sizes and dedicated faculty facilitate leadership development grounded in evidence-based practice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best bachelor’s in nursing programs in New England?

Some of the top BSN programs are Boston College, University of Connecticut, University of New Hampshire Nursing, and University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Nursing. These all provide excellent undergraduate nursing education with coveted clinical placements.

Which New England nursing school has the highest acceptance rate?

The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Nursing has one of the highest undergraduate nursing acceptance rates in New England at 73%. Other nursing schools with high acceptance rates include UNH (77%) and URI Nursing (72%).

How much does nursing school cost in New England?

Nursing school tuition varies widely depending on public vs private status. Public schools like UVM, URI, and UCONN offer in-state tuition between $16,000 – $18,000 per year. Private universities range from $40,000 up to $60,000 annually for undergraduate nursing.

What type of nursing programs are offered in New England?

Universities across New England offer traditional BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD nursing pathways. Many also now feature direct entry MSN options allowing those with a BA/BS in another field to transition into nursing. Common MSN concentrations are FNP, PMHNP, CNL, CRNA, and nursing education.

Which New England nursing school has the highest average starting salary?

Graduates from Ivy League and top-ranked private universities tend to garner the highest nursing salaries. These include Yale ($80k average), UPenn ($80k), Johns Hopkins ($80k), and MGH IHP ($75k). Public school RN salaries average closer to $65,000 – $70,000.

What kinds of clinical experience is offered at New England nursing schools?

Nursing students complete clinical rotations across the region’s top hospitals, community health centers, clinics, and home health agencies. Placements facilitate real world development of clinical reasoning, hands-on skills, and communication with diverse patient populations.

How competitive is nursing school admissions in New England?

The most elite private nursing schools have extremely competitive admissions with acceptance rates around 3-7%. These include Yale, UPenn, and Johns Hopkins. Public universities and less selective private colleges admit over 50% of applicants or more. RN jobs remain in high demand across New England.

Should I attend nursing school in New England?

Yes, New England nursing graduates have an abundance of job opportunities across the region’s top hospital systems and community health centers. Most new nurses secure positions well before graduation. The region also has some of the highest paying nursing markets nationally.

What are the top Master’s in Nursing programs in New England?

The top MSN programs are at private universities including Yale, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, MGH IHP, Boston College, and Simmons. Public schools like UVM, UCONN, and URI also offer strong MSN concentrations to gain APRN licensure.

How do I choose the right nursing program in New England?

Consider program cost, location, clinical placement sites, concentrations offered, career prospects, and program culture fit. Research each school’s NCLEX-RN pass rates for undergraduate and certification exam rates for MSN programs. Leverage nursing open houses to determine program quality and personal preference.

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