Accredited nursing programs in Massachusetts
39 schools in Massachusetts have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 23 BSN, 16 ADN, 9 LPN, 17 MSN programs. 1 holds both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 22 of 23 listings are CCNE and 2 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 23
- 2 ACEN, 22 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 16
- 16 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 9
- 9 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 17
- 2 ACEN, 15 CCNE
Accredited schools in Massachusetts
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American International College | Springfield | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Assabet Valley Regional Technical School | Marlborough | Public | – | – | ACEN | – |
| Assumption University | Worcester | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Bay Path University | Longmeadow | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Berkshire Community College | Pittsfield | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Bristol Community College | Fall River | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Cape Cod Community College | West Barnstable | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | Chicopee | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Curry College | Milton | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Emmanuel College | Boston | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Endicott College | Beverly | Private | ACEN + CCNE | – | – | ACEN |
| Fisher College | Boston | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Greenfield Community College | Greenfield | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Holyoke Community College | Holyoke | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Laboure College of Healthcare | Milton | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | Wellesley Hills | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Boston | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Massasoit Community College | Brockton | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Merrimack College | North Andover | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Middlesex Community College | Bedford | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| North Shore Community College | Danvers | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Northeastern University | Boston | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Quincy College | Quincy | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Regis College | Weston | Private | ACEN | ACEN | – | ACEN |
| Salem State University | Salem | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Simmons University | Boston | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | Boston | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Lowell | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Westfield State University | Westfield | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Worcester State University | Worcester | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
Programs with an ACEN note
ACEN publishes a note beside some listings. The wording below is ACEN’s own; open the listing for what it means for the program.
- Quincy College, ADN: Done. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Regis College, MSN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
What accreditation means in Massachusetts
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Massachusetts board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 23. For bachelor’s degrees, 23 of 26 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (88%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Massachusetts are accredited?
We matched 39 Massachusetts schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 23 BSN, 16 ADN, 9 LPN, 17 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Massachusetts?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Massachusetts bachelor’s programs accredited?
23 of the 26 Massachusetts schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.