Fitchburg State University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Fitchburg State University—the first public state university in Massachusetts to offer nursing—runs a CCNE-accredited Department of Nursing with pre-licensure BSN, an LPN-to-BSN bridge, an online RN-to-BSN, and an online MS in Forensic Nursing. Use Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN) reports for official NCLEX-RN program rates and Fitchburg State’s published tuition tables for 2025–2026 costs.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Fitchburg State combines public university pricing for the Traditional BSN with a specialized online MS in Forensic Nursing—unusual among Massachusetts publics—and publishes 30+ clinical placement locations across the Commonwealth, from Boston teaching hospitals to community sites. Confirm every figure on the official program pages before you apply.
Overview & Why Students Choose Fitchburg State University
Located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Fitchburg State University is a public regional university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Its Department of Nursing traces the first public state university nursing program in Massachusetts and today offers a Traditional on-campus BSN, an LPN to BS in Nursing Bridge that blends day and evening coursework, an online RN-to-BSN, and an online MS in Forensic Nursing plus a forensic nursing graduate certificate—all described as CCNE-accredited at the baccalaureate and master’s levels per the university.
Why it matters: Pre-licensure students rotate through major Massachusetts systems (the department lists Boston Children’s, BIDMC, UMass Memorial affiliates, and many others), while working RNs can stack credentials through the online RN-to-BSN and forensic MSN without leaving the workforce.
Fitchburg State’s Nursing, BS page states that for the past three years, about 95% of first-time NCLEX test takers passed, and links to Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing NCSBN-reported data. For the authoritative program-level first-time pass rate by cohort, use MABORN’s official nursing education / NCLEX statistics—not this page alone. Confirm current rates with MABORN and Fitchburg State.
Reasons students choose Fitchburg State
Public in-state tuition for Traditional BSN
Fitchburg State publishes Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 Undergraduate Day charges—use the commuter line for a direct apples-to-apples comparison with other Massachusetts public universities.
LPN-to-BSN bridge with flexible scheduling
The LPN to BS in Nursing Bridge crosses day and evening divisions so LPNs can accelerate toward RN licensure while balancing work.
Forensic nursing at the graduate level
The online MS in Forensic Nursing (39 credits, 420 clinical hours) targets RNs seeking advanced roles where health care and justice intersect.
Simulation and lab infrastructure
The department highlights SimMan, SimBaby, SimNewB, and SimMan 3G manikins in its skills/simulation labs and a dedicated home-care lab.
Mount Wachusett partnership
Fitchburg State links a guaranteed admission pathway with Mount Wachusett Community College for students who meet published criteria—useful if you are planning a community-college start.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below matches Fitchburg State’s Department of Nursing program hub and related catalog pages. Use the Nursing Programs page and University Catalog for prerequisites.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
degree_level: BSN · program_type: pre-licensure · pathway: Traditional · delivery: campus, day.
Four-year on-campus program; seniors complete a 17 hours per week preceptorship capstone. Nursing, BS.
LPN to BS in Nursing Bridge
degree_level: BSN · program_type: pre-licensure · pathway: LPN-to-RN (BSN) · delivery: hybrid (day + evening/SGOCE).
Designed for Licensed Practical Nurses moving toward licensure as an RN with a BSN; tuition varies by whether courses are billed as day or SGOCE. LPN to BS in Nursing Bridge.
Post-licensure (RN)
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (online)
degree_level: BSN · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: RN-to-BSN · delivery: online.
32 nursing credits; RN license required; accelerated seven-week sessions; published $9,952 total tuition for the 32-credit program and $311 per credit all-in on the SGOCE accelerated table. RN-to-BSN online.
Master of Science in Nursing (Forensic Nursing)
degree_level: MSN · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: Forensic · delivery: online.
39 credits / 13 courses; 420 clinical hours; rolling admission. MS Forensic Nursing.
Graduate certificate
Forensic Nursing Graduate Certificate
degree_level: N/A (certificate) · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: Forensic · delivery: online.
21 credits for master’s-prepared nurses. Forensic Nursing certificate.
The Department of Nursing states full approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate and master’s nursing degrees. Confirm current status on the school’s accreditation statements and with MABORN/CCNE if you have questions.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Fitchburg State’s Nursing, BS program page, for the past three years, about 95% of first-time NCLEX test takers passed the licensure exam (school-reported summary). The same page links to Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing data reported through NCSBN. The Department of Nursing also highlights a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate for 2025 on its department page—treat highlight statistics as school-reported snapshots and confirm the exact cohort with MABORN.
Official lookup: Use MABORN’s nursing education resources and Board of Registration in Nursing for program-level tables that match your entry year.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (school-reported summary) | About 95% over the past three years per Fitchburg State Nursing BS page (March 2026 review). Confirm current cohort data with MABORN. |
| Department highlight (2025) | Fitchburg State Department of Nursing lists 100% first-time pass for 2025 on its department page—confirm methodology and cohort size with the school and MABORN. |
| Source | Fitchburg State — Nursing, BS · Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Confirm current rates with MABORN and Fitchburg State. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and program track. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with MABORN and Fitchburg State before you compare schools.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Fitchburg State hosts International Admissions for campus programs, while online graduate nursing materials note that applicants outside the U.S. may complete clinicals abroad with a current license in the country where coursework occurs (see Forensic MSN admissions). Use the checklist below as orientation only—this is not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS (or equivalent) with Fitchburg State Admissions for your program level.
- Transcript evaluation: Follow Fitchburg State’s international admissions checklist for credential evaluation.
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, confirm documentation and CGFNS steps with MABORN.
- Clinical placements: CORI/background requirements may apply through Massachusetts clinical agencies—review early with the program.
- Visa status: Published F-1 cost tables exist for undergraduate and graduate students; online-only pathways may have different immigration considerations—confirm with the international office.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Fitchburg State International Admissions, the nursing program, and MABORN.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Undergraduate (Traditional BSN / pre-nursing): Fitchburg State uses rolling admissions with a December 1 priority deadline for nursing. Pre-nursing majors must submit a resume with application materials. The university publishes a recalculated GPA scale tied to optional SAT/ACT scores for applicants below a 3.0—see Undergraduate Admissions for detail.
RN-to-BSN (online): Requires an active RN license; the online page lists term-specific apply-by and start dates (example: apply by 4/20/26, start 5/18/26).
MS Forensic Nursing: Graduate admission is rolling with spring, summer, and fall starts; requires a two-part written essay per the program page.
Application timeline
| Entry | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing (undergraduate priority) | December 1 priority deadline | Rolling admissions continue while space remains (per Undergraduate Admissions). |
| Spring (general UG) | January 13 | Application with all materials for spring start (per Undergraduate Admissions). |
| RN-to-BSN online (example) | Apply by 4/20/26 | Start class 5/18/26 per online RN-to-BSN page snapshot. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate (Nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (general first-year) | Fitchburg State lists consideration for students with recalculated GPA 2.00+; nursing remains competitive—see admissions tables. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not publicly disclosed on the main nursing marketing pages reviewed for this guide—confirm in the Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook (PDF). |
| Clinical clearance | Expect immunizations, background checks, and health requirements for clinical agencies—plan early. |
Honest tip: Meet the December 1 nursing priority date if you can—Fitchburg State notes competitive programs fill space on a rolling basis after that.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Rates below come from Fitchburg State Fall 2025 through Summer 2026 Student Accounts pages. Housing, meal plans, books, and health insurance are billed separately—use your official bill.
| Program / category | Published rate (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Day — in-state commuter (full-time, no supplies) | $5,943 per semester / $11,886 per academic year (per Undergraduate Day tuition table). |
| Undergraduate Day — out-of-state commuter (full-time, no supplies) | $8,983 per semester / $17,966 per academic year. |
| Per-credit (UG Day, in-state example) | Tuition and fees combined table lists about $495.25 per credit in-state (see “Tuition and Fees Per Credit” row). |
| Online accelerated RN/BS in Nursing | $311 per all-in credit (Fall 2025–Summer 2026 accelerated table); RN-to-BSN page also cites $9,952 total for 32 credits. |
| SGOCE graduate (MS Forensic Nursing pathway) | Base graduate bundle $347 per credit; MS Forensic Nursing is listed among programs with an additional $58 per credit online program fee (see footnote list on SGOCE tuition page). |
| Source | Undergraduate Day Tuition & Fees · Graduate / SGOCE Tuition & Fees · RN-to-BSN online |
Financial aid applicants should review Fitchburg State’s cost of attendance tables for budgeted allowances beyond tuition.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
North Central Massachusetts and the greater Boston–Worcester corridor offer diverse employers—from community hospitals to academic medical centers. Evaluate outcomes using MABORN-reported NCLEX data plus Fitchburg State disclosures rather than generic rankings.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | Fitchburg State states ~95% first-time pass rate over the past three years on its Nursing BS page; Department page highlights 100% for 2025. Confirm with MABORN. |
| Employment (school-reported) | Department of Nursing lists 100% employment rate for nursing graduates (2024 reported)—confirm definition and survey methodology with Fitchburg State Career Services. |
| Source | Nursing, BS; Department of Nursing; MABORN. |
Is Fitchburg State University the Right Fit for You?
Fitchburg State blends a regional public campus experience for pre-licensure students with online graduate options for working nurses. Consider location, schedule, and tuition tier before you commit.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a Massachusetts public university BSN with published commuter costs and clinical access across the Commonwealth.
- Are LPNs seeking a structured bridge program that crosses day and evening divisions.
- Are licensed RNs needing an affordable online RN-to-BSN ($311/credit all-in on the accelerated table).
- Are interested in forensic nursing at the master’s or certificate level while working full time.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require a private research university or a large urban campus experience—Fitchburg State is a regional public in a smaller city.
- Need a second-degree Accelerated BSN marketed separately—Fitchburg State emphasizes Traditional BSN, LPN bridge, and RN-to-BSN instead.
- Cannot commute or relocate for Massachusetts clinical rotations during pre-licensure study.
- Expect guaranteed admission without meeting competitive nursing progression standards—confirm progression policies in the handbook.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Fitchburg sits between Worcester and Northwest Middlesex health systems, with reasonable access to Boston for select rotations. The Department of Nursing names 30+ placement locations, including Boston Children’s, BIDMC, Lowell General, South Shore Hospital, UMass Memorial affiliates, Heywood Hospital, and Baystate facilities—exact sites vary by semester.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| UMass Memorial Health | Multi-hospital system serving Worcester County—common destination for advanced clinical experiences. |
| Boston-area teaching hospitals | Fitchburg State lists placements such as Boston Children’s and BIDMC among statewide sites. |
| Community & specialty partners | Examples include Lowell General, South Shore, Heywood, and Baystate per the department page—confirm current contracts with the program. |
Why it matters: A statewide placement footprint exposes students to varied patient populations before they choose a first job.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Undergraduate nursing courses meet primarily on campus in Thompson Hall, where the department maintains assessment, simulation, and home-care labs. Students can join the National Student Nurses Association chapter and participate in faculty-led study abroad opportunities referenced on the Nursing BS page.
Online RN-to-BSN and forensic graduate students engage through Fitchburg State’s SGOCE student resources, including advising and technical support.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Fitchburg, MA
- Address
- 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697, US
- Telephone
- 978-665-3000 (main) · Nursing Department 978-665-3221
- Admissions email
- admissions@fitchburgstate.edu · Graduate/online: gce@fitchburgstate.edu
- Website
- fitchburgstate.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook (PDF) or Graduate Nursing Handbook for your pathway.
- Open MABORN and locate the nursing education / NCLEX statistics for Fitchburg State’s approved program.
- If you are pre-licensure, map prerequisites to the University Catalog and build a timeline toward the December 1 nursing priority date.
- If you are an RN, compare transcripts to the RN-to-BSN plan and confirm the $311/credit accelerated rate on your financial aid offer.
- Email dbenes@fitchburgstate.edu or call 978-665-3221 with one focused question about your target term.
- Review Fitchburg State’s cost of attendance tables for aid budgeting.
- Set a reminder for your application deadline (e.g., RN-to-BSN apply-by dates on the online page).
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Fitchburg State University offer?
Fitchburg State lists a Traditional BSN, LPN to BS in Nursing Bridge, online RN-to-BSN, MS in Forensic Nursing, and a Forensic Nursing graduate certificate. All nursing degrees are described as CCNE-accredited at the baccalaureate and master’s levels on the university’s nursing pages.
How much is Fitchburg State nursing tuition in 2025–2026?
Undergraduate Day in-state commuters pay about $11,886 per year without supplies on the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 table. The online accelerated RN/BS in Nursing program is $311 per all-in credit, with the RN-to-BSN page citing $9,952 total for 32 credits. Graduate SGOCE courses list $347 per credit plus a $58 per credit online program fee for the MS in Forensic Nursing. Confirm on your bill.
Where can I find Fitchburg State’s NCLEX-RN pass rate?
Use MABORN for official program-level data. Fitchburg State’s Nursing BS page states about 95% of first-time NCLEX test takers passed over the past three years and links to Board-reported NCSBN data. Confirm the latest cohort with MABORN and the school.
How does the LPN to BS in Nursing Bridge work at Fitchburg State?
It is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses who want to become baccalaureate-prepared RNs. Courses may be billed as day division or SGOCE depending on term—so tuition varies. See the LPN-to-BSN bridge program page.
What is the MS in Forensic Nursing at Fitchburg State?
It is an online MSN for licensed RNs with 39 credits, 420 clinical hours, and specialty forensic coursework. Spring, summer, and fall starts; rolling admission.
When should I apply to Fitchburg State nursing?
Undergraduate Admissions lists December 1 as the priority deadline for nursing (rolling admissions). Pre-nursing applicants must submit a resume.
Is the TEAS required for Fitchburg State nursing?
Public marketing pages reviewed for this guide do not list TEAS—check the nursing handbook for progression and testing rules.
How do I contact Fitchburg State nursing?
Department 978-665-3221, dbenes@fitchburgstate.edu; Undergraduate Admissions 978-665-3144, admissions@fitchburgstate.edu; SGOCE gce@fitchburgstate.edu / 978-665-3182.
References
- Fitchburg State University — Nursing programsfitchburgstate.edu/…/nursing-programs
- Fitchburg State University — Nursing, BSfitchburgstate.edu/academics/programs/nursing-bs
- Fitchburg State University — RN-to-BSN onlineonline.fitchburgstate.edu/degrees/nursing/rn-to-bsn/
- Fitchburg State University — Undergraduate Day tuition & fees (2025–2026)fitchburgstate.edu/…/tuition-and-fees-undergraduate-day
- Fitchburg State University — Graduate / SGOCE tuition & feesfitchburgstate.edu/…/graduate-continuing-and-evening-tuition-and-fees
- Massachusetts — Nursing education (MABORN hub)mass.gov/nursing-education
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursingmass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing
- Massachusetts — Board-approved prelicensure programs (NCSBN data link)mass.gov/service-details/about-board-approved-prelicensure-nursing-programs
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for program-pathway accuracy (Traditional BSN, LPN bridge, RN-to-BSN, Forensic MSN, certificate), tuition alignment with Fitchburg State’s 2025–2026 Student Accounts pages, and Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing sourcing for NCLEX reporting.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy