Massachusetts · Practical Nursing

Best Practical Nursing institutions in Massachusetts, ranked by earnings

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

Institutions
22
offering CIP 51.39
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
651
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$56,658
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
16
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,662
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Nursing Assistants
$46,130
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing
Billerica Public · Certificate degree
$72,2302580%$9,397
2Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District
Charlton Public · Certificate degree
$67,4982189%$9,500
3Greater Lowell Technical School
Tyngsboro Public · Certificate degree
$67,28167100%$8,859
4Mount Wachusett Community College
Gardner Public · Certificate degree
$62,7203024%$14,435
5Southeastern Technical Institute
South Easton Public · Certificate degree
$62,4824274%$14,499
6Greenfield Community College
Greenfield Public · Certificate degree
$56,6582431%$12,123
7Mildred Elley - Pittsfield Campus
Pittsfield Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$55,4242256%$26,662$24,459
8Diman Regional Technical Institute
Fall River Public · Certificate degree
$55,3412375%$10,182
9North Shore Community College
Danvers Public · Certificate degree
$55,3363518%$13,119
10Charles H McCann Technical School
North Adams Public · Certificate degree
$54,80224100%

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.3%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~204,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$39,530
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Nursing Assistants earn in Massachusetts

Jobs in Massachusetts
38,280
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$46,130
median $45,410
Best-paying metro
$47,280
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Related careers

Nursing Assistants
$46,130 avg · 38,280 jobs
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
$76,400 avg · 15,210 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Practical Nursing programs in Massachusetts.

Which Practical Nursing program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing tops the list at $72,230. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Nursing Assistants earn in Massachusetts?+

The average annual wage for Nursing Assistants in Massachusetts is $46,130 (median $45,410), across about 38,280 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Practical Nursing program?+

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, monitoring, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Nursing Assistants?+

The national job outlook is about +2.3% growth with around 204,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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