Best LPN Programs in Massachusetts
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Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) deliver basic patient care and ensure the safety and comfort of patients. They often act as a bridge between the patient and care team.
This career path offers a fast and efficient route into the nursing profession. LPN programs in Massachusetts can help you get there.
Here we’ve identified the state’s top LPN training programs. We also provide salary data, job growth trends, and an overview of licensing requirements.
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Top LPN Programs in Massachusetts
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,824
- Out-of-state$9,768
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled4,849
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Greenfield Community College
- Greenfield, MA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$624
- Out-of-state$6,744
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled1,761
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment13%
- AccreditationYes
North Shore Community College
- Danvers, MA
- 2 year
- Campus
- In-State$600
- Out-of-state$6,168
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled5,388
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
Berkshire Community College
- Pittsfield, MA
- 2 year
- Campus
- In-State$624
- Out-of-state$6,240
- Retention Rate54%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled1,627
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Mount Wachusett Community College
- Gardner, MA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$600
- Out-of-state$5,520
- Retention Rate56%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled3,674
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Finding an LPN Program in Massachusetts
Many accredited schools offer online LPN programs in Massachusetts that meet the state’s licensing requirements. The search tool directly below can help you locate suitable certificate and degree programs at all levels.
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Licensure Requirements for Massachusetts LPNs
Basic Eligibility
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, to earn an LPN license in Massachusetts, you must satisfy three key requirements:
- Complete an LPN training program recognized by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
- Meet the state government’s “good moral character” standards
The following subsections explain each of these three requirements in greater detail.
Education and Training Requirements
As a first step, you must graduate from a board-approved pre-licensure practical nursing program. Board-approved programs include both theoretical and applied components, and ensure that graduates meet the high standards required for professional success. The online LPN programs in Massachusetts profiled on this page all have board approval.
Examination Requirements
After completing your Board-approved education program, your next step is to pass the NCLEX-PN exam.
Using a tool called computerized adaptive testing, the NCLEX changes the exam’s difficulty level in real time to match your performance, generating a more accurate view of your knowledge and abilities.
Before you sit for the exam, you must submit your initial license application to the board.
You’ll receive your results about six weeks after taking the exam. If you passed the exam and meet all other requirements, you’ll be eligible to receive your LPN license.
“Good Moral Character” Requirement
Massachusetts defines good moral character as “reliable evidence of good conduct.”
You may be disqualified from receiving LPN licensure in Massachusetts if:
- You have criminal convictions that display an “absence of good moral character”
- The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families has found you have committed acts of abuse and/or neglect
- You have a disciplinary history with a regulatory, licensing, or certification board in another state
LPN Salary Outlook for Massachusetts
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Massachusetts, LPNs in the state earned an average annual salary of $73,400 as of 2023.
O*NET Online, a Department of Labor data resource, offers a more detailed breakdown. According to 2023 O*NET Online data for Massachusetts, LPNs earn about 23% more in the state compared with the national median. (The fact that Massachusetts has one of the country’s highest costs of living may partially explain this difference.)
LPNs also may earn more in some areas of Massachusetts than others. The table below shows the five top-paying localities in Massachusetts for LPNs.
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| Location | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $75,360 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $73,610 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $71,050 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | $67,450 |
| New Bedford, MA | $66,210 |
Massachusetts LPN Employment Trends
Massachusetts has a better LPN job growth outlook than the national average.
Nationally, the BLS projects job growth of 5% for LPNs from 2022-32, which is slightly ahead of the national average. O*NET Online predicts a 7% growth rate for LPNs in Massachusetts from 2020-30.
O*NET data also projects the creation of approximately 1,040 new LPN positions in Massachusetts during that time frame.
In 2023, the BLS ranked the Boston metro area eighth among the nation’s top 10 cities for LPN employment. Major employers in the Boston area include the Mass General Brigham hospital network, which was the state’s largest health system as of 2023.
The following table profiles the state’s five largest individual hospitals, as identified in a May 2023 report by the state Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA):
| Hospital Name (Location) | Number of Staffed Beds |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) | 1,063 |
| Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston) | 901 |
| Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston) | 799 |
| University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center (Worcester) | 793 |
| Baystate Medical Center (Springfield) | 791 |
Resources for LPNs in Massachusetts
There are many ways for LPNs to connect with colleagues and the latest knowledge in their field. Here are some key organizations and resources.Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing: This board serves as the official governing and regulatory body for all nurses throughout the state and provides a variety of helpful information, programs, and resources.
Massachusetts Nurses Association: This member-based organization serves as the voice of nurses in the Bay State, offering information about unionizing, legislation, and resources while also providing conferences, advocacy efforts, and educational opportunities.
American Nurses Association Massachusetts chapter: This chapter supports nurses throughout the state by offering continuing education, legislation updates, scholarships, resources, and a career center for job seekers.
State Continuing Education checklist: Wondering if a particular continuing education credit counts toward Massachusetts Board requirements? Use this checklist to find out.
LPN License Verification: This government website can be used to find out the license status of a particular LPN practicing in the state.
Professional Credential Services: The state nursing board uses this service to manage all licensure procedures. This organization provides guidance for applicants, including those who received their degrees in other countries.
Nursing Education Programs: This board of nursing resource provides comprehensive information on approved prelicensure programs and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Programs in Massachusetts
Board-approved LPN programs in Massachusetts have graduation timelines as short as 10 months. If you graduate and pass the NCLEX-PN exam on your first try, you’ll become an LPN in about a year.
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