Solomont School of Nursing Review (2026): Programs, NCLEX & Requirements
The Susan and Alan Solomont School of Nursing sits inside UMass Lowell’s Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences and offers a Traditional BSN on the Lowell campus, a fully online RN-to-BSN completion track, MS Nursing nurse practitioner programs, DNP and PhD pathways, plus an optional combined BS/MS or BS/DNP route for high-achieving undergraduates. This guide cites 2026–2027 undergraduate tuition from The Solution Center, first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes published on UMass Lowell’s nursing program pages (school-reported), and CCNE statements from the catalog—confirm every figure with the university and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UMass Lowell’s Donna Manning Simulation Laboratories, interprofessional education with other Zuckerberg health programs, and clinical partnerships across Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley anchor the undergraduate experience—while the online MS Nursing and DNP add flexible graduate options. Use The Solution Center for tuition tables and Solomont program pages for outcomes; confirm licensure data with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Overview & Why Students Choose UMass Lowell
In Lowell, Massachusetts, the Solomont School of Nursing is part of the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences on an R1 public research campus. Students prepare for RN licensure through a Traditional BSN with 3.5- or 4-year degree pathways, simulation in the Donna Manning Simulation Laboratories, interprofessional education with dietetics, pharmacy, public health, and other disciplines, and a senior immersion semester with a nurse preceptor. Licensed RNs can add a BSN through the fully online RN-to-BSN program (GPS).
Graduate offerings include an online MS Nursing with Family NP or Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP tracks, a DNP with post-master’s and BSN-to-DNP routes, a PhD in Nursing with a Health Promotion focus, and a fast-track MS-to-DNP option for enrolled MS students. High-achieving pre-licensure juniors and seniors may apply to a combined BS/MS or BS/DNP sequence. The undergraduate program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and CCNE-accredited per the catalog.
According to the UMass Lowell Nursing Major page, 2025 graduates had a 94.6% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, with the school citing a 87.6% national average for comparison on that page (school-reported). Confirm current cohorts with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and UMass Lowell.
Reasons students choose UMass Lowell
Public university value & Merrimack Valley location
UMass Lowell combines in-state tuition (for eligible Massachusetts residents) with access to the Greater Boston healthcare market and local community networks—supporting clinical variety without private-college pricing.
Donna Manning Simulation Laboratories
The simulation labs use high-fidelity adult, pediatric, and maternal manikins and standardized patients so students rehearse skills before inpatient rotations.
Flexible online graduate NP & DNP
The MS Nursing and DNP programs blend online coursework with short on-campus intensives—note: both pages state international applicants are not accepted for those online programs.
Combined BS/MS or BS/DNP option
Eligible juniors and seniors with GPA ≥ 3.500 can pursue a coordinated BS/MS or BS/DNP sequence to reduce duplicate credits and accelerate graduate study.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program groupings below follow the Solomont School programs list and linked UMass Lowell catalog pages.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
On-campus BSN with 3.5- or 4-year degree pathways, simulation, IPE, and senior immersion. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN per the nursing major page. UMass Lowell does not list a separate stand-alone Accelerated BSN (ABSN) on the main programs page—confirm any second-degree route with the BS program director.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN to BS (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
The GPS RN-to-BSN program is 100% online with no added clinical component per the GPS page, designed for Massachusetts and New Hampshire licensed RNs. Total tuition for the ten required nursing courses is $11,550 as published (scholarship options may lower cost).
Graduate & doctoral
Master of Science in Nursing
45-credit MS with Family Health Nurse Practitioner or Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks; includes four on-campus days for lab/OSCE work plus practicum hours. GRE not required. Program page states not open to international applicants.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
MS-to-DNP (APRN and non-APRN pathways) and BSN-to-DNP preparing FNP or AGPCNP per the DNP overview. Four two-day on-campus intensives. Program page states not open to international applicants.
Ph.D. in Nursing
Research doctorate with Health Promotion focus—confirm curriculum, residency expectations, and funding with the PhD program and Graduate Admissions.
Fast-track MS to DNP (enrolled MS students)
The programs list references a fast-track MS to DNP option for students already enrolled in the MS Nursing program—confirm eligibility with the DNP coordinator.
Listings reflect UMass Lowell’s public Solomont School and GPS pages. Always confirm current approvals, tracks, and start terms in the UMass Lowell academic catalog and your admit letter.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
UMass Lowell’s Nursing Major page reports that 2025 graduates achieved a 94.6% first-time board licensure pass rate, and notes a 87.6% national average on that page for context (both school-reported). The Solomont School homepage also highlights a 94.6% NCLEX-RN rate for 2025. For Board-published statistics, use the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (Traditional BSN cohort) | 94.6% (2025 graduates, per UMass Lowell nursing major page) |
| National comparison cited by school | 87.6% (as cited on the nursing major page—confirm methodology with NCSBN/school) |
| Source | UMass Lowell — Nursing Major; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Confirm current cohorts with the Board and the school. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
UMass Lowell’s MS Nursing and DNP program pages state those online programs are not open to international applicants. Undergraduate and PhD pathways may have different rules—work with International Students & Scholars and program offices. Internationally educated nurses seeking Massachusetts licensure should follow Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing guidance for credential evaluation and NCLEX eligibility. This checklist is not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Graduate admissions lists TOEFL 79+, IELTS 6.5+, or Duolingo 115+ for many programs when English is not the national language—confirm your pathway.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Graduate admissions cites CED, ECE, or WES for international credentials when required.
- Massachusetts Board of Nursing: Confirm NCLEX-RN eligibility, CGFNS, and endorsement rules for internationally educated nurses.
- Visas & clinical placements: Pre-licensure clinical courses must align with program authorization; verify each term with the international office and the Solomont School.
Policies change frequently. Verify with UMass Lowell and the Board.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN: Applicants follow UMass Lowell undergraduate admissions and select the nursing major. Review the catalog nursing section and nursing major page for prerequisite and progression expectations.
RN-to-BSN: Apply through GPS for the online completion program; the GPS page describes Massachusetts and New Hampshire RN licensure scope and transfer credit policies.
Graduate (MS Nursing, DNP, PhD): Use GradCAS for Zuckerberg College programs as listed on graduate admissions materials; GRE is not required for nursing graduate programs except where a different rule is posted. MS Nursing and DNP are not open to international applicants per the program pages.
Application deadlines
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing | Follow UMass Lowell admissions for first-year and transfer deadlines for your entry term. |
| RN-to-BSN (GPS) | Multiple start dates per year—see the GPS RN-to-BSN page. |
| Graduate nursing | Follow GradCAS and the Zuckerberg graduate requirements page for your program. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| TEAS / HESI | Not publicly disclosed on the nursing major overview page; confirm with the Solomont BS program office if an entrance exam applies to your cycle |
| Combined BS/MS or BS/DNP GPA threshold | 3.500 cumulative GPA for juniors/seniors considering the combined program (per combined program page) |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from The Solution Center — Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, the GPS RN-to-BSN page, and the MS Nursing tuition table. Add fees, housing, food, and health insurance for on-campus totals.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate full-time tuition (2026–2027 estimated) | $17,404 in-state; $36,610 out-of-state; $28,158 New England regional (per Solution Center table) |
| Mandatory fees (2026–2027) | $850 (activity + technology) for domestic students in the published table |
| RN-to-BSN (GPS, online nursing courses) | $11,550 total for the ten required nursing courses, with SuCCess Scholarship pricing down to $10,300 for eligible community college transfers (GPS page) |
| Online MS Nursing (per-credit examples) | $610 general online rate; $750 for select online MS nursing courses; $30 term registration fee (MS Nursing page) |
| Graduate on-campus & other programs | See Graduate Tuition and Fees for PhD and other programs |
| Source | The Solution Center — Undergraduate Tuition and Fees; GPS tuition & fees. Confirm current amounts before enrolling. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
The nursing major page links to career outcomes reporting that 86 percent of bachelor’s graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation (UMass Lowell career outcomes page—confirm methodology and cohort year). The Solomont homepage cites 100% APRN national certification pass rates for 2025 and 100% employment within six months of graduation for all programs—those figures are school-reported; confirm definitions and cohorts with the school.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (first-time) | 94.6% (2025 graduates, per nursing major page)—confirm with Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing |
| Employment or graduate school (bachelor’s, school-reported link) | 86% within six months (UMass Lowell career outcomes, methodology on that page) |
| MS Nursing NP certification (school-reported) | Solomont MS page cites 100% APRN cert pass rate for 2025 graduates by track (school-reported)—confirm current cohorts with the program |
Is UMass Lowell the Right Fit for You?
UMass Lowell fits students who want a public research university with in-state tuition (for eligible residents), hands-on simulation, and clinical placements that reach into Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley—while accepting that graduate nursing programs have explicit international-applicant restrictions on the MS and DNP pages.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value Donna Manning Simulation Laboratories, interprofessional education, and a broad clinical affiliate list spanning community and academic sites.
- Need a fully online RN-to-BSN program with a published tuition total for the nursing course block.
- Plan to pursue NP or DNP education with online coursework plus short on-campus intensives.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require a listed stand-alone Accelerated BSN (ABSN) on the main programs page—confirm whether another pathway exists.
- Are international applicants to the online MS Nursing or DNP—those program pages state they are not open to international applicants.
- Prefer a private college or guaranteed urban campus in downtown Boston—UMass Lowell is in Lowell with commuter/regional character.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Lowell anchors the Merrimack Valley, while UMass Lowell’s clinical placements extend to Greater Boston teaching hospitals and regional community systems. The nursing major page lists examples including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center, and the Lowell Community Health Center—your rotation list depends on semester and course.
Regional demand for RNs remains strong, but hiring depends on credentialing, timing, and employer needs.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Lowell General Hospital · Lowell Community Health Center | Local anchors for community health and acute care in the Merrimack Valley |
| Massachusetts General Hospital · Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Flagship Boston academic medical centers named on the nursing major page |
| UMass Memorial Medical Center | Named on the nursing major page—regional academic system |
| Community health centers & VNA | UMass Lowell cites 250+ affiliations across settings—confirm placement sites each term with the program |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students train in the Donna Manning Simulation Laboratories with observation rooms, exam suites, and high-fidelity manikins. Student organizations include Nursing Students Without Borders, the Student Nurses Association, and the Eta Omega honor society chapter.
Traditional BSN students follow catalog degree pathways (3.5- or 4-year), complete a senior immersion with a preceptor, and can participate in campus life across 200+ clubs and study abroad opportunities referenced on UMass Lowell’s nursing program pages.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Lowell, MA
- Address
- 113 Wilder Street, Suite 200, Lowell, MA 01854-5126, US (Solomont School of Nursing)
- Telephone
- (978) 934-4525
- nursing@uml.edu
- Solomont School of Nursing
- uml.edu/health-sciences/nursing
- Website
- uml.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the catalog nursing section and the nursing major page for progression and outcomes.
- Map your pathway: Traditional BSN vs RN-to-BSN vs graduate NP/DNP—each uses different admissions offices.
- Estimate cost using the 2026–2027 Solution Center table or the GPS RN-to-BSN pricing block.
- Bookmark the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for licensure questions.
- Review combined BS/MS or BS/DNP if you are a current UMass Lowell nursing student with a strong GPA.
- Contact nursing@uml.edu or the BS program director listed on the contact page for pathway-specific questions.
- Explore graduate nursing via Zuckerberg graduate requirements and GradCAS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate does UMass Lowell publish for the Traditional BSN?
The Nursing Major page states 2025 graduates had a 94.6% first-time pass rate and cites a 87.6% national average for comparison (school-reported). Confirm the latest cohort with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and UMass Lowell.
What is undergraduate tuition at UMass Lowell for 2026–2027?
The Solution Center lists estimated 2026–2027 full-time tuition at $17,404 in-state and $36,610 out-of-state before mandatory fees and living costs.
How much does the UMass Lowell online RN-to-BSN program cost?
The GPS page states $11,550 total tuition for the ten required nursing courses, with eligible SuCCess Scholarship pricing at $10,300.
Does UMass Lowell list a stand-alone Accelerated BSN (ABSN) on its programs page?
The main programs list highlights a Traditional Baccalaureate BSN and RN-to-BSN completion—not a separate ABSN line. Ask the BS program office if your situation fits another entry route.
Are UMass Lowell’s online MS Nursing or DNP programs open to international students?
The MS Nursing and DNP pages state those online programs are not open to international applicants. Verify other pathways with Graduate Admissions.
Is UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
The catalog and MS Nursing materials reference CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs—confirm effective dates with CCNE and the school.
Where do UMass Lowell Traditional BSN students complete clinical rotations?
The nursing major page lists examples such as Mass General, Brigham and Women’s, Boston Children’s, Lowell General, and UMass Memorial—placements vary by semester.
What employment outcomes does UMass Lowell report for nursing bachelor’s graduates?
The nursing major links to career outcomes showing 86% of bachelor’s graduates employed or in graduate school within six months (methodology on that page).
What is the Donna Manning Simulation Laboratory?
UMass Lowell describes the Donna Manning Simulation Laboratories as the site for high-fidelity adult, pediatric, and maternal simulation before clinical rotations—see the simulation lab page.
References
- UMass Lowell — Solomont School of Nursinguml.edu/health-sciences/nursing
- UMass Lowell — Nursing Major (BS)uml.edu/health-sciences/nursing/programs/bachelors/nursing-major.aspx
- UMass Lowell — Programs in the School of Nursinguml.edu/health-sciences/nursing/programs
- UMass Lowell — Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (The Solution Center)uml.edu/thesolutioncenter/bill/tuition-fees/undergraduate
- UMass Lowell GPS — RN-to-BSNgps.uml.edu/degrees/undergrad/online-bachelors-nursing-rn-to-bs-degree.cfm
- UMass Lowell — MS Nursinguml.edu/health-sciences/nursing/programs/masters/masters.aspx
- UMass Lowell — DNPuml.edu/health-sciences/nursing/programs/doctoral/dnp
- 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/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
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 alignment with UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing pages, The Solution Center tuition tables, school-reported NCLEX and outcomes statements, and Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing resources.
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