Quinsigamond Community College Nursing: What to Know (2026)
QCC runs Nurse Education (ADN), Practical Nursing (including an evening option), and evening Advanced Placement tracks for licensed LPNs and paramedics—mostly from the Worcester main campus and the downtown Healthcare and Workforce Development Center. This guide reflects official per-credit tuition on QCC’s program pages, published TEAS rules, and school-reported NCLEX aggregates—confirm every detail with QCC and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
QCC publishes multi-year, school-reported NCLEX aggregates alongside national comparison rows on its official Nurse Education and Practical Nursing pages, and it stacks credentials—from Practical Nursing through LPN-to-RN evening advanced placement—while keeping per-credit tuition transparent for Central Massachusetts residents balancing work and clinical travel.
Overview & Why Students Choose Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) is a public two-year college serving Worcester County from its main campus on West Boylston Street and a downtown Healthcare and Workforce Development Center where many health programs meet. The Nurse Education unit offers multiple entry points—traditional ADN, Practical Nursing (day and evening), and evening Advanced Placement tracks for licensed LPNs and paramedics—so students can align schooling with shift work while still accessing regional clinical sites.
QCC publishes aggregate program outcomes on its official nursing pages, including first-time NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates with national comparison rows shown in the same tables, and it states Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN) approval plus ACEN accreditation for both the ADN and PN pathways.
According to aggregate data published on QCC’s Nurse Education page, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the ADN program were 85% (2023), 97% (2024), and 82% (2025), with national comparison rows shown alongside QCC’s results. Confirm the latest cohort with QCC and cross-check the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Reasons students choose QCC
Published NCLEX aggregates
QCC lists multi-year first-time NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates with national comparison rows on its program pages—so you can see trend data without hunting for a separate PDF.
Stacked pathways
Students can pursue PN licensure first, move into the LPN-to-RN evening track, or enter the standard five-semester ADN sequence; paramedics have a dedicated advanced-placement track.
Transparent per-credit tuition
Nurse Education and Practical Nursing pages list the same in-state and out-of-state per-credit rates, with links to additional program fees in the catalog.
Central Massachusetts clinical footprint
Course descriptions note that students travel to clinical sites in Worcester County and surrounding counties (PN wording also references MetroWest)—useful if you already live or work in the region.
Nursing Programs Offered
QCC is a community college: it does not award a four-year BSN on campus. Instead, it lists five board-approved nursing pathways that lead either to NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing) or NCLEX-RN (Nurse Education tracks). Details below come from QCC’s healthcare program pages.
Pre-licensure — RN (Associate Degree in Nursing)
Nurse Education (ADN)
QCC’s standard track awards an Associate of Science in Nurse Education, spans five semesters and 71 credits, and prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN. Classes meet on the Worcester campus and downtown health center; clinicals extend through Worcester County and surrounding counties.
Advanced Placement LPN & Advanced Placement Paramedic
Licensed LPNs and certified paramedics may apply to evening advanced-placement cohorts that still require 71 credits but extend over six semesters, reflecting additional foundational coursework. Both pathways lead to the same associate credential and NCLEX-RN eligibility when requirements are met.
Pre-licensure — Practical Nursing (LPN)
Practical Nursing Certificate
The day program spans five semesters and 46 credits and prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN. QCC also lists a separate Practical Nursing Certificate — Evening option for students who need night/weekend scheduling—confirm seat availability and sequencing on the evening program page.
Related options (not a nursing degree)
QCC lists a Healthcare — Pre-Nursing Option associate pathway for students who want general education and science coursework before applying to a nursing program, plus other allied health programs. Those tracks alone do not confer RN or PN licensure.
QCC does not advertise BSN, MSN, or DNP completion on the nursing pages reviewed here. If you need a bachelor’s degree, plan to transfer after licensure using QCC’s transfer agreements and the receiving university’s RN-to-BSN policies.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to aggregate statistics published on QCC’s Nurse Education page, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for QCC’s ADN program were 85% (2023), 97% (2024), and 82% (2025). The same table lists national aggregate results for comparison (for example, national results of 89% in 2023, 91% in 2024, and 87% in 2025 appear beside QCC’s rows). These are school-reported aggregates; confirm methodology and the latest cohort with QCC.
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
QCC’s Practical Nursing Certificate page lists first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates of 91% (2023), 97.5% (2024), and 90% (2025), again with national comparison rows in the same table.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (ADN) | 85% (2023); 97% (2024); 82% (2025)—QCC Nurse Education page (school-reported aggregate) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (PN) | 91% (2023); 97.5% (2024); 90% (2025)—QCC Practical Nursing page (school-reported aggregate) |
| Source | QCC Nurse Education; QCC Practical Nursing Certificate. For regulatory reporting, see the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Confirm current rates with QCC and the Board. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates on QCC’s official program pages and with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Clinical nursing programs involve background checks, immunizations, and U.S. clinical placements that may have additional rules for international applicants. Use the checklist below as guidance—not legal advice—and confirm details with QCC Admissions, the college’s international-student office (if applicable), U.S. immigration counsel, and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: Ask QCC whether TOEFL/IELTS or other proof is required for your applicant type.
- Transcript evaluation: Determine whether coursework from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated (e.g., WES) before prerequisite credit is awarded.
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing: For licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm documentation, NCLEX eligibility, and any CGFNS-related steps the Board requires.
- Visa & clinical compliance: Health Sciences programs may require documentation that affects F-1 status or clinical clearance—ask early.
Policies change frequently. Verify with QCC and the Board before you invest in prerequisites or relocation.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
QCC publishes detailed TEAS and prerequisite rules on each nursing program page. Nursing programs are capacity-limited: meeting the TEAS thresholds below does not guarantee admission. Always confirm the latest selective admissions steps with nurseeducation@qcc.mass.edu and the School of Healthcare.
Nurse Education (ADN) & Advanced Placement LPN — TEAS
- Applicants must have taken the ATI TEAS within the last five years.
- The TEAS requirement is waived if the applicant holds an advanced degree (BS, BA, MS, etc.).
- Otherwise, applicants need a composite TEAS score of 65% or higher, or a composite score between 61% and 64% with minimum QCC college biology GPA (4 credit minimum) and overall QCC college GPA (15 credit minimum) per the score-specific table on QCC’s Nurse Education page.
- Once admitted, students must maintain a C+ or higher in all nursing (NUR) courses and a C or higher in BIO 111, BIO 112, and BIO 232 to continue—per QCC’s published progression standards.
Practical Nursing — TEAS
- Applicants must have taken the ATI TEAS within the last five years.
- Applicants need a composite TEAS score of 55% or higher, or a composite between 51% and 54% with minimum QCC biology and overall GPA thresholds per QCC’s Practical Nursing table.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All nursing majors | Not publicly disclosed on the program overview pages at time of review | Confirm the next selective application deadline with the Nurse Education office and the Admissions team. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | TEAS thresholds may be paired with QCC biology/overall GPA when composite scores fall in the 61–64% (ADN) or 51–54% (PN) bands—see QCC’s tables. |
| TEAS | Required for Nurse Education, Advanced Placement, and Practical Nursing programs per QCC program pages. |
| Clinical experience | Not required for entry; healthcare work may strengthen your overall file. |
Applicant tips
Download the Nursing Student Handbook for progression, clinical compliance, and readmission policies. Schedule TEAS early so you can retest within the five-year window if needed, and align biology and psychology courses with the published curriculum grid.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
QCC’s Nurse Education and Practical Nursing program pages list base per-credit tuition; additional nursing fees, course charges, and campus-wide fees appear on the Tuition & Fees catalog page and the Program Fees listing. Massachusetts residents should also ask Financial Aid about MassReconnect, MassGrant, and other state programs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition (program pages) | $227 per credit for Nurse Education and Practical Nursing programs (per QCC healthcare program pages) |
| Out-of-state / international (program pages) | $433 per credit |
| Additional fees | Program-specific fees, student fees, and course materials are itemized on QCC’s tuition/fee pages—budget separately for uniforms, testing, immunizations, and travel to clinical sites. |
| Source | QCC Nurse Education; QCC Tuition & Fees. Confirm current amounts with QCC Student Accounts. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
The metrics below summarize outcomes QCC publishes on its official program pages. Program completion and graduate-satisfaction statistics are cohort-specific; confirm definitions with QCC.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (ADN) | 85% (2023); 97% (2024); 82% (2025)—school-reported aggregate on QCC Nurse Education page |
| NCLEX-PN first-time (PN) | 91% (2023); 97.5% (2024); 90% (2025)—school-reported aggregate on QCC Practical Nursing page |
| Program completion (ADN, school-reported) | 79% of students completed within 150% of program length in 2024–2025 (per QCC Nurse Education page) |
| Graduate satisfaction (ADN, school-reported) | 89% of surveyed 2025 graduates agreed/strongly agreed that program outcomes prepared them for entry-level RN practice (per QCC Nurse Education page) |
| Source | QCC Nurse Education; QCC Practical Nursing. Confirm current data with QCC and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. |
Is Quinsigamond Community College the Right Fit for You?
QCC fits students who want multiple entry points (PN, ADN, LPN-to-RN, paramedic-to-RN), transparent per-credit pricing on program pages, and clinical experience across Central Massachusetts. It is a weaker fit if you need a BSN without transferring or cannot travel to Worcester County/MetroWest clinical sites.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want published NCLEX aggregates and progression data on the college’s nursing pages
- Already live or work in Worcester County and can commute to main-campus and downtown health-center courses
- Plan to work in Massachusetts hospitals, post-acute, or community agencies after licensure
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a traditional BSN without transferring to a four-year university
- Cannot meet TEAS thresholds or maintain C+ grades in nursing coursework
- Expect guaranteed admission without a competitive selective process
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Worcester anchors Central Massachusetts’s referral hospital network; students commonly encounter acute-care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, and community-based clinics across Worcester County and neighboring counties. QCC states that nursing students must travel to clinical sites throughout the region—exact contracts rotate each term.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Acute & specialty hospitals | Worcester hosts tertiary referral centers and community hospitals serving Central Massachusetts; students may rotate through med/surg, behavioral health, maternal-child, and specialty units depending on cohort. |
| Post-acute & community care | PN graduates often work in long-term care, rehabilitation, and home care—settings QCC’s Practical Nursing curriculum explicitly references. |
| Workforce demand | Massachusetts health systems continue to recruit RNs and LPNs; verify salary and vacancy data via QCC Career Services and state workforce reports. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing courses meet on the Worcester main campus and at the downtown Healthcare and Workforce Development Center; expect blended modalities with hands-on labs, simulation, and community clinical experiences. QCC’s nursing handbooks outline student organizations, compliance (CastleBranch, CORI/SORI, immunizations), and academic support—budget time for those requirements alongside coursework.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- Worcester, MA
- Nursing programs
- Worcester main campus & Healthcare and Workforce Development Center (downtown)
- Address
- 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01606, US
- Telephone
- 508-853-2300 (general)
- Nurse Education
- nurseeducation@qcc.mass.edu
- Website
- qcc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the Nursing Student Handbook for progression, compliance, and clinical policies.
- Compare your transcripts to BIO 111/112/232, ENG 101/102, and the published nursing curriculum grid.
- Schedule the ATI TEAS early so you can retest within the five-year window if needed.
- Email nurseeducation@qcc.mass.edu to confirm the next selective application deadline and seat availability.
- Review QCC’s health-screening, CastleBranch, and CORI requirements before you accept a seat.
- Explore financial aid and Massachusetts grant programs through QCC’s financial aid office.
- Bookmark the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for independent licensure data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Quinsigamond Community College offer?
QCC lists Nurse Education (ADN), Practical Nursing Certificate (day and evening), Nurse Education Advanced Placement LPN, and Nurse Education Advanced Placement Paramedic. All are pre-licensure pathways leading to NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN; QCC does not award a BSN on campus.
What NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates does QCC publish?
QCC’s official Nurse Education page lists aggregate first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates (for example, 85% in 2023, 97% in 2024, 82% in 2025) with national comparison rows. The Practical Nursing page lists aggregate first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates (for example, 91% in 2023, 97.5% in 2024, 90% in 2025). Confirm the latest cohorts with QCC and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Does Quinsigamond Community College nursing require TEAS?
Yes. Nurse Education and Advanced Placement applicants must have TEAS scores from the last five years—typically 65%+ composite, or 61–64% with minimum QCC biology and overall GPA per QCC’s table, or a waiver with an advanced degree. Practical Nursing requires 55%+ composite, or 51–54% with GPA thresholds per QCC’s PN table.
How much is tuition for Quinsigamond Community College nursing?
QCC’s Nurse Education and Practical Nursing pages list $227 per credit for in-state students and $433 per credit for out-of-state/international students, plus additional fees itemized on QCC’s tuition and program-fee pages.
Where are Quinsigamond Community College nursing classes held?
QCC states classes meet on the Worcester main campus and at the Healthcare and Workforce Development Center downtown, with clinical rotations throughout Worcester County and surrounding counties (PN wording also references MetroWest).
Is Quinsigamond Community College nursing accredited?
QCC states both Nurse Education and Practical Nursing are approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and accredited by ACEN, with continuing accreditation for both programs and scheduled evaluation visits (Spring 2029 for ADN, Spring 2026 for PN per QCC pages). Confirm current status with ACEN and the Board.
Can paramedics enroll in Quinsigamond Community College nursing?
Yes. QCC offers a Nurse Education Advanced Placement Paramedic track for paramedics seeking the evening associate degree pathway—confirm prerequisites and TEAS rules on the official program page.
How can I verify Massachusetts NCLEX statistics independently?
Use the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for official nursing education statistics, and use QCC’s published program pages for school-reported aggregates.
References
- Quinsigamond Community College — Nurse Education (ADN)qcc.edu/healthcare/nurse-education
- Quinsigamond Community College — Practical Nursing Certificateqcc.edu/healthcare/practical-nursing-certificate
- Quinsigamond Community College — Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)Nursing_Student_Handbook.pdf
- Quinsigamond Community College — Tuition & Fees (catalog)qcc.edu/catalog/tuition-and-fees
- Quinsigamond Community College — Program Feesqcc.edu/fees
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursingmass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
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 QCC program scope (ADN vs PN vs advanced placement), TEAS thresholds, per-credit tuition figures on QCC program pages, and school-reported NCLEX aggregates.
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