Middlesex Community College’s nursing program has been ranked number 1 out of 42 nursing schools in Massachusetts by www.registerednursing.org for 2026. Created by registered nurses, the site is an online guide to education, careers and jobs.
“This designation cites both exceptional and consistent performance of the associate degree registered nursing program at MCC for its three consecutive years of 100 percent National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) pass rates, ranking the program first in this same designation amongst 2,304 nursing programs of similar type and size in the United States,” said Susan Lavallee, MCC’s Senior Director of Nurse Education. “This distinction is more than just a ranking. It reflects the daily work that MCC faculty, staff and students put into creating a strong academic experience –one that prepares our graduates to step into nursing careers with confidence.”
At Middlesex, the curriculum equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the NCLEX and directly enter the field. MCC students are prepared through a combination of classroom teaching by dedicated faculty who are experts in the field, clinical partnerships at local hospitals, and hands-on experiences in the new, state-of-the-art simulation and skills lab.
On www.registerednursing.org’s 10th annual program ranking, Middlesex was awarded for the college’s strong career pathway, comprehensive training opportunities, and professional development offerings. Other highlights include MCC’s focus on safety, evidence-based practices, and affordability.
In 2024, MCC celebrated the opening of the nursing simulation and skills lab in Lowell. Features of the lab include high-fidelity simulators, Sim Pad Plus, hospital equipment for sim bays, complete nurses’ command stations, and nursing skills laboratory stations.
Middlesex also received a $525,000 Nursing Expansion Grant to develop a licensed practical nursing (LPN) program for students looking for faster entrance into the profession. Students complete their LPN, start working in the field, and can continue their studies at MCC to earn an associate degree or transfer to a four-year institution.
“The establishment of the LPN program, simulation and lab spaces addresses the growing employment gaps in healthcare brought on by the pandemic and other factors,” Lavallee said. “These initiatives ensure our students are exposed to diverse case scenarios; allow them to develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes for high-level critical thinking and clinical judgement; and build students’ confidence with the ability to make critical decisions in a safe, simulated environment before entering clinical sites and the workforce.”
Offered during the days, as well as evenings and weekends, MCC’s program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.