For our 2024 rankings of direct entry MSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of prelicensure programs.
We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of Massachusetts’ direct entry MSN programs accordingly.
#1: Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
https://www.bc.edu
98.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Direct Entry MSN
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#2: Simmons University
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
https://www.simmons.edu
97.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Direct Entry MSN
Average of 30 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#3: Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
https://www.northeastern.edu
95.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Direct Entry MSN
Average of 22 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#4: Regis College
235 Wellesley Street
Weston, MA 02493
https://www.regiscollege.edu
95.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Direct Entry MSN
Average of 50 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#5: University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
https://www.umassmed.edu
94.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Direct Entry MSN
Average of 31 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#6: MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129
https://www.mghihp.edu
91.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Direct Entry MSN
Average of 94 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020