Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Massasoit Community College

Massasoit's nursing program gets graduates earning quickly—$72,980 in the first year beats the national median by over $4,500—but there's an unusual catch. While most nursing careers show salary growth, earnings here actually slip slightly to $72,449 by year four. That's uncommon in nursing, where demand typically drives up wages as new RNs gain experience. This could reflect local market conditions in the Brockton area or the specific employment pathways graduates follow.

The value equation still works in absolute terms. At roughly $17,000 in debt, graduates face monthly payments that consume just a small fraction of their take-home pay—far more manageable than the typical student loan burden. However, the program's 40th percentile ranking among Massachusetts nursing schools matters for families comparing local options. Several community colleges nearby—including Greenfield, Springfield Tech, and Middlesex—produce graduates earning $3,000-5,000 more annually by year one, suggesting geography significantly impacts nursing salaries in Massachusetts.

For families focused primarily on affordability and quick entry to a stable profession, Massasoit delivers. The debt load is reasonable and first-year earnings are solid. But if your student has admission offers from multiple Massachusetts nursing programs, it's worth comparing not just costs but also the salary trajectories, since those few thousand dollars in annual earnings compound significantly over a 30-year career.