Massachusetts puts community college LPN students in clinical rotations at some of the best hospitals in the world — Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Medical Center, Tufts Medicine. Massasoit CC, Quincy College, and regional vocational schools deliver Board-approved training at a fraction of private school cost. LPN salaries above $76,000. NOT NLC state.
🏫 Community College = Best Value🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$8K✅ Accredited Programs
If you're researching LPN programs in Massachusetts, community colleges and vocational schools should be at the top of your list — and what sets Massachusetts apart is the clinical placement quality. Massasoit Community College, Quincy College, Assabet Valley Regional Vocational, and Greater Lawrence Technical School all deliver Board-approved practical nursing with clinical rotations at hospitals that rank among the best globally — Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Medical Center, and Lahey Health. No other state gives community college nursing students access to this caliber of clinical training at community college prices. LPN salaries average above $76,000/year reflecting Boston's concentration of academic medical centers. Community college tuition runs $6,000–$12,000 while private programs charge $20,000–$35,000 for the same Board-approved curriculum. No Massachusetts Board-approved LPN program finishes in under 10 months. Massachusetts is NOT an NLC state, but the Boston healthcare market has more teaching hospitals per capita than anywhere in the country.
🔄 Need More Flexibility? Compare Online & Evening Programs
Community colleges are the best deal — but they often have waitlists, limited seats, and 1–2 start dates per year. If you need evening/weekend classes, multiple start dates, or online coursework with clinicals arranged near you, these accredited programs fill that gap. Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear.
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~$8K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$76K+
Avg. MA LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's community college LPN programs run 10–14 months depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. Here's what to expect:
Accelerated full-time: Classes and clinicals 4–5 days/week, 10–12 month completion
Hybrid/online theory: Study lectures at home, attend clinicals on set days — still 11–14 months
Evening/weekend tracks: Designed for working adults, typically 14–18 months
Community colleges in Massachusetts offer some of the most affordable paths — often under $8,000 total tuition for in-district students. Private nursing schools cost more but sometimes offer faster schedules and more flexible clinical placement.
Accredited LPN Schools in Massachusetts
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the MA Board of Registration in Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
Quincy College
📍 Quincy
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$9,400Clinical: Norfolk County partners
Massasoit CC
📍 Brockton
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$7,200Clinical: Plymouth County
Massachusetts LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
MA Board of Registration in Nursing
Program Accreditation
Must be state board-approved
Minimum Clinical Hours
400 hours
Licensure Exam
NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE)
Background Check
Required prior to clinical placement
CPR Certification
Required before clinical start
Drug Screening
Required by most clinical partner facilities
Immunizations
Per program/facility requirements
🔄 Can't Get Into a Community College Program? Compare Alternatives
Waitlisted? Need evening classes or a different start date? These programs offer flexible schedules and online options with local clinicals. Sponsored listings.
Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear. By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
LPN Salary in Massachusetts
Licensed Practical Nurses in Massachusetts earn an average of $76,400/year ($36.73/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Boston: $79,800/year
Worcester: $74,200/year
Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, physician offices
Community colleges cost a fraction of private programs, deliver the same Board-approved curriculum and clinical hours, and often have equal or better NCLEX-PN pass rates. They also place you at local hospitals where you'll likely work after graduation. The only downside: waitlists and limited start dates. If you can get a seat, a community college is almost always the best choice.
The fastest accredited programs run about 10–12 months for full-time students. Some accelerated tracks at technical colleges can get close to 10 months, but you'll be in class and clinicals nearly every day. Part-time or hybrid programs typically take 14–18 months.
Community college programs often run $4,000–$12,000 for in-district students. Private and nationally accredited programs can range from $18,000–$35,000. Financial aid, grants, and employer tuition assistance may be available.
After graduating from an approved program and applying through the MA Board of Registration in Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Massachusetts cities.
Hybrid programs that combine online theory with in-person clinicals are legitimate and approved by state boards. However, any program claiming to be 100% online with no clinical requirement is not accredited and will not qualify you for NCLEX-PN or licensure.
⚠️ Data Disclaimer: Salary figures, tuition costs, program lengths, and school information are gathered from publicly available sources and intended as general guidance. Program availability, accreditation, and tuition are subject to change — verify details with the school and MA Board of Registration in Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
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