Worcester State University Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
The Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing at Worcester State University offers a Traditional BSN (students start as nursing majors on day one), LPN-to-BS and RN-to-BS tracks, online MSN programs (Nurse Educator; Public and Population Health), and post-master’s certificates. The university publishes 2025–2026 tuition and a school-reported NCLEX-RN outcomes table on its nursing site; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN) currently lists the program as approved with warning—confirm status, rates, and costs with WSU and MABORN.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Worcester State markets no separate pre-nursing year for Track One—you enter the nursing major immediately—and houses nursing in the Ghosh Science & Technology Center with simulation labs and 50+ clinical sites (including UMass Memorial Health and St. Vincent Hospital). The university publishes transparent NCLEX and employment tables on its nursing page; MABORN approval with warning means you should confirm regulatory status directly with the Board and the school before you commit.
Overview & Why Students Choose Worcester State University
Worcester, Massachusetts is a regional health-care hub; Worcester State University is a public master’s institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Since 1974, the Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing has prepared pre-licensure and RN students with evidence-based curricula, simulation in the Ghosh Science & Technology Center, and senior preceptorships. The official nursing hub lists Track One (Traditional BS), Track Two (RN-to-BS), Track Three (LPN-to-BS), online MSN specializations, post-master’s certificates, and an RN-to-MS Fast Track option described in the catalog.
Why it matters: Worcester State emphasizes direct admission to the nursing major (no separate pre-nursing year for Track One marketing), publishes multi-year NCLEX and employment tables on its site, and names 50+ clinical partners—but you must also weigh MABORN “approval with warning” alongside CCNE accreditation.
Worcester State states the department is approved with warning by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and hosts a BORN Approval Status FAQ. Approval with warning is not the same as unconditional full approval. Read the FAQ and confirm current regulatory status with MABORN and Worcester State.
Worcester State’s Nursing page publishes a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate table for BSN and LPN-BSN graduates (for example, 97% with 61 first-time test takers in 2023) alongside Massachusetts all-programs and national BSN comparison rows shown on the same table. For Board-reported program statistics, use MABORN’s nursing education resources. Confirm the latest cohort with MABORN and Worcester State.
Reasons students choose Worcester State
Direct nursing major from day one
Worcester State markets no pre-nursing detour for Track One—you begin as a nursing major immediately, which appeals to students who want a straightforward four-year plan.
Published NCLEX and employment tables
The nursing site shows year-by-year first-time NCLEX pass rates and employment survey results with response rates—useful for comparing cohort trends (always confirm methodology).
Central Massachusetts clinical depth
Marketing cites 50+ clinical settings, including UMass Memorial Health and Tenet St. Vincent Hospital, plus community and behavioral health sites listed on the Traditional BSN page.
Online MSN for working RNs
Nurse Educator and Public & Population Health MSN tracks are delivered online through Worcester State, with matching post-master’s certificates.
Value-focused public pricing
Worcester State publishes 2025–2026 Undergraduate Day Division tuition and fee totals under $13K per year for Massachusetts residents before housing—compare with the official tuition page.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below mirrors the Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing program tiles and the 2025–2026 Worcester State catalog. Worcester State does not list a DNP or generic Accelerated BSN (ABSN) on the nursing hub reviewed for this guide.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility)
Track One — Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
degree_level: BSN · program_type: pre-licensure · pathway: Traditional · delivery: campus (day division).
Four-year major; Worcester State emphasizes entering as a nursing major from day one. Coursework includes simulation, med-surg, OB, peds, mental health, and leadership; clinical examples include UMass Memorial Health and community partners per the BSN program page.
Track Three — LPN-to-BS
degree_level: BSN · program_type: pre-licensure · pathway: LPN-to-RN (BSN) · delivery: campus (confirm schedule with department).
For licensed practical nurses who completed an accredited LPN program and seek a BS in nursing leading to NCLEX-RN eligibility. Track Three (LPN-to-BS).
Post-licensure (RN)
Track Two — RN-to-BS
degree_level: BSN · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: RN-to-BSN · delivery: confirm with department (Worcester State uses RN-to-BS naming).
For RNs who completed an associate or diploma nursing program. Track Two (RN-to-BS).
Master of Science in Nursing — Nurse Educator (online)
degree_level: MSN · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: Nurse Educator · delivery: online.
Listed on Worcester State’s nursing hub with a dedicated online program page.
Master of Science in Nursing — Public & Population Health (online)
degree_level: MSN · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: Public / population health · delivery: online.
Post-master’s certificates & fast track
Nursing Education (campus or online)
degree_level: N/A (certificate) · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: Nurse educator · delivery: campus and online options per nursing hub.
Public & Population Health Nursing (campus or online)
degree_level: N/A (certificate) · program_type: post-licensure · pathway: Public health nursing · delivery: campus and online options.
RN-to-MS Fast Track
The catalog describes a fast-track option allowing eligible RN-to-BS students to apply graduate credits toward an MSN—confirm eligibility and course limits with the Department of Nursing.
Worcester State states baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs are accredited by CCNE and lists approval with warning from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing on its nursing page and in the catalog. CCNE accreditation and Board approval address different questions; approval with warning is not unconditional Board approval. Confirm current CCNE and MABORN status before you enroll.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Program Outcomes table on Worcester State’s Nursing page (March 2026 review), first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Worcester State BSN and LPN-BSN graduates were:
- 2023 — 97% (61 first-time test takers); Massachusetts all-programs comparison row 92%; national BSN comparison row 94% (same table).
- 2022 — 91% (61 takers); MA 82%; national BSN 82.32%.
- 2021 — 96% (68 takers); MA 86%; national BSN 86.06%.
These figures are school-reported on Worcester State’s site alongside state and national comparison rows; they are not a substitute for the official program-level tables published by MABORN. Confirm the latest cohort with MABORN and the Department of Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2023, school table) | 97% for Worcester State BSN & LPN-BSN programs; N = 61 first-time test takers (per WSU nursing page, March 2026 review). |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2022, school table) | 91%; N = 61 (same source). |
| Source | Worcester State University — Nursing (Program Outcomes table) · Massachusetts nursing education (MABORN hub) · Board of Registration in Nursing. Confirm current rates with MABORN and Worcester State. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and track. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with MABORN and Worcester State before you compare schools.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Worcester State enrolls international students at the university level; nursing programs add clinical clearance, CORI/SORI, immunization, and Massachusetts Board of Nursing requirements that can affect placement and licensure timelines. Use the checklist below as orientation only—this is not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS (or equivalent) with Worcester State Admissions for your program level.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow Worcester State’s international student requirements for official evaluations.
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, confirm documentation, good moral character rules, and any CGFNS steps with MABORN.
- Clinical placements: The catalog notes CORI, possible SORI and drug screening, and agency-specific rules—international students should review early with the Department of Nursing.
- Visa & online study: Online MSN pathways may still have residency or clinical requirements in the U.S.—confirm with the program and international office.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Worcester State International Applicants, the Department of Nursing, and MABORN.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Undergraduate Tracks One–Three: Worcester State uses the standard undergraduate application for first-year and transfer routes. Track One markets direct entry to the nursing major (not a separate pre-nursing year). Track Two requires an active RN license and graduation from an accredited associate or diploma program per the catalog. Track Three requires LPN licensure and graduation from an accredited LPN program.
Graduate (MSN / certificates): Delivered through Worcester State’s online graduate nursing pages; confirm prerequisite GPA, RN licensure, and any essay or reference requirements on each program’s official page.
Progression (catalog): Once admitted, nursing students must earn at least C in listed prerequisites, at least 80 (B-) in all NU nursing courses, and pass clinical components—see the catalog and department handbooks.
Application timeline
| Entry | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing | Not publicly disclosed on pages reviewed for this guide | Use Apply and confirm term-specific dates with Undergraduate Admissions. |
| Financial aid priority (FAFSA) | March 1 (fall entry) | Listed on Worcester State Cost & Aid page as priority deadline for aid consideration. |
| Online graduate nursing | Varies by program | Check Online Graduate Nursing Programs for start dates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate (Nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Typical admitted GPA | Not publicly disclosed |
| TEAS / HESI | Not publicly disclosed on Worcester State nursing marketing pages reviewed for this guide—confirm in the Department of Nursing student policy handbooks. |
| Clinical clearance | Catalog requires immunizations, health documentation, CORI/SORI, drug screening when mandated, and professional liability insurance arranged through the university—plan early. |
Honest tip: Because the program carries MABORN approval with warning, read the BORN Approval Status FAQ alongside admissions materials so you understand regulatory context before you deposit.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Rates below come from Worcester State’s Undergraduate Tuition & Fees page for 2025–2026 (Undergraduate Day Division and Division of Graduate and Continuing Education tables, March 2026 review). Housing, meals, books, health insurance, orientation, and nursing-specific lab/clinical fees are additional—see the Student Costs: Learning, Laboratory and Clinical Placement PDF linked from the nursing site.
| Program / category | Published rate (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Day Division — full-time in-state (tuition + mandatory fees) | $12,344 per academic year / $6,172 per semester / $514.34 per credit. |
| Undergraduate Day Division — full-time out-of-state | $18,424 per year / $9,212 per semester / $767.66 per credit. |
| Undergraduate Day Division — N.E. Regional Student Program | $12,829 per year / $6,414.50 per semester / $534.54 per credit (per Worcester State table). |
| Online Master of Science in Nursing (tuition row) | $504 per credit hour; Worcester State’s SGOCE table notes “no additional per credit fees charged for this program” in the tuition column for Online MS/Nursing. |
| SGOCE fee rows (confirm applicability) | The same page lists $163/credit graduate administrative fee and $26.50/credit capital improvement fee in a separate fees table—confirm with Student Accounts whether and how these apply to your MSN bill alongside the $504 rate. |
| Source | Worcester State — Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2025–2026) · Cost of Attendance |
Worcester State also promotes ValuePlus (eligible Massachusetts undergraduates with household income $75,000 or less may qualify for $0 tuition and fees starting Fall 2025, per the Cost & Aid page—confirm eligibility rules).
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Central Massachusetts anchors UMass Memorial Health, St. Vincent, community health centers, and behavioral health hospitals—settings Worcester State names for student experiences. Pair labor-market context with hard outcomes data from MABORN and the school’s published tables.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (school-reported) | See NCLEX-RN Pass Rate section; e.g. 97% (2023, N=61) per Worcester State nursing page table. Confirm with MABORN. |
| Employment rate (school survey, 2022 cohort) | Worcester State’s employment table shows 100% employment as an RN within one year among respondents for 2022, with 15 of 61 graduates responding (22% response rate). Interpret cautiously—non-respondents are unknown. Confirm current methodology with Worcester State Career Services or the Department of Nursing. |
| Source | Worcester State — Nursing (Program Outcomes tables); MABORN. |
Is Worcester State University the Right Fit for You?
Worcester State pairs a mid-sized public campus in Worcester with online MSN and certificate options for RNs. Factor in tight nursing progression standards (minimum 80 in NU courses) and MABORN approval with warning when you compare programs.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want to start as a nursing major immediately (Track One marketing) without a separate pre-nursing year.
- Value transparent NCLEX tables and a simulation-heavy undergraduate experience in the Ghosh Science & Technology Center.
- Are LPNs or RNs seeking a BS completion pathway aligned with Massachusetts practice needs.
- Need an online MSN in nurse education or public / population health while continuing to work.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Are uncomfortable enrolling while the program shows MABORN approval with warning—you may prefer a program with unconditional full approval until you verify status.
- Require a branded Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for career changers—Worcester State emphasizes Track One/Two/Three instead.
- Cannot meet clinical clearance (immunizations, CORI/SORI, possible drug screening) required by Massachusetts agencies.
- Expect graduate preparation as a nurse practitioner on this campus—Worcester State’s listed graduate nursing offerings are MSN specializations and certificates, not a DNP/NP track on the hub reviewed here.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Worcester is the second-largest city in New England and a clinical education hub. Worcester State markets 50+ clinical settings and names partners such as UMass Memorial Health (multiple campuses) and Tenet St. Vincent Hospital on its nursing pages.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| UMass Memorial Health | Large integrated system with academic and community hospitals; Worcester State’s BSN page lists University, Memorial, Harrington, and Clinton campuses among rotation examples. |
| St. Vincent Hospital | Acute-care hospital in Worcester cited on the Worcester State nursing marketing page as part of the clinical network. |
| Community & behavioral health | Examples on the BSN program page include Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Centers, Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital, and Notre Dame Health Care—confirm current contracts each term. |
Why it matters: A dense local market supports varied rotations—from acute care to community and mental health—before you choose your first RN role.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Undergraduate nursing is based in the Ghosh Science & Technology Center (Suite ST-222), where Worcester State highlights simulation labs and hands-on learning. The catalog notes NSNA membership is mandatory for students in Track I and Track III, and Sigma Theta Tau (Iota Phi Chapter-at-Large) recruits high-achieving students.
Online MSN and certificate students use Worcester State’s online graduate nursing infrastructure; undergraduate day students participate in Worcester’s campus life, Division III athletics, and student organizations beyond nursing.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Worcester, MA
- Nursing department
- Ghosh Science & Technology Center, Suite ST-222, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602
- Telephone
- 508-929-8000 (main) · Department of Nursing 508-929-8129
- nursing@worcester.edu · Undergraduate Admissions admissions@worcester.edu
- Website
- worcester.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the BORN Approval Status FAQ and note questions for nursing@worcester.edu.
- Open MABORN and locate nursing education / NCLEX resources for Worcester State’s program.
- Download the Student Costs: Lab & Clinical PDF and add those estimates to your budget.
- Compare your transcripts to the catalog nursing section for prerequisites and progression grades.
- If you are an RN or LPN applicant, confirm which track (Two or Three) matches your license and prior education.
- File or update the FAFSA before Worcester State’s published priority date (March 1 for fall aid consideration per Cost & Aid page).
- Bookmark the Program Outcomes table and recheck it before you commit to a start term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Worcester State University offer?
The Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing lists Track One (Traditional BS), Track Two (RN-to-BS), Track Three (LPN-to-BS), online MSN Nurse Educator, online MSN Public & Population Health, post-master’s certificates in Nursing Education and Public & Population Health Nursing (campus and online), and an RN-to-MS Fast Track described in the catalog. Worcester State states CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs and MABORN approval with warning—confirm current status with MABORN and the school.
What is the NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate at Worcester State University?
Worcester State’s nursing page publishes a outcomes table: for 2023 it reports 97% for BSN and LPN-BSN graduates with 61 first-time test takers, alongside Massachusetts all-programs and national BSN comparison rows on the same table. These are school-reported figures—confirm the latest cohort with MABORN and Worcester State.
How much is Worcester State University nursing tuition for 2025–2026?
Per Worcester State’s Undergraduate Tuition & Fees page: Undergraduate Day Division full-time in-state tuition and mandatory fees total $12,344 per year ($514.34/credit); out-of-state $18,424/year ($767.66/credit); N.E. Regional $12,829/year. The Division of Graduate and Continuing Education lists Online Master of Science/Nursing at $504 per credit with no additional per-credit fees charged for that program on the same schedule. Confirm on your bill and review the nursing department’s Student Costs (lab/clinical) PDF.
What does Massachusetts Board approval with warning mean for Worcester State nursing?
Worcester State discloses that the program is approved with warning by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and provides a BORN Approval Status FAQ. Approval with warning is not the same as unconditional full approval—read the FAQ and confirm current regulatory status with MABORN and the university before you enroll.
Does Worcester State offer an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for second-degree students?
Worcester State’s public nursing hub emphasizes Track One/Two/Three rather than a separately marketed ABSN for career changers. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, ask Admissions whether Track One or another route fits your timeline.
Where do Worcester State nursing students complete clinical rotations?
Worcester State cites 50+ clinical settings and names examples such as UMass Memorial Health campuses, St. Vincent Hospital, Kennedy Community Health, Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital, and Notre Dame Health Care on its BSN program page. Sites change by term—confirm with the Department of Nursing.
Is the TEAS required for Worcester State University nursing?
The Worcester State nursing marketing pages and catalog excerpts reviewed for this guide do not list a TEAS requirement. Check the Department of Nursing student policy handbooks for any progression or entrance testing rules.
What GPA is required in Worcester State nursing courses?
The catalog requires at least C in prerequisite/corequisite courses, at least 80 (B-) in all NU nursing courses, and a passing clinical grade. See the current catalog and department handbook for full progression policies.
How do I contact Worcester State University Department of Nursing?
Ghosh Science & Technology Center, Suite ST-222; phone 508-929-8129; email nursing@worcester.edu. Main campus 508-929-8000. Undergraduate Admissions (tuition page contact block): 508-929-8040, admissions@worcester.edu.
References
- Worcester State University — Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursingworcester.edu/nursing
- Worcester State University — BORN Approval Status FAQworcester.edu/nursing/born-approval-status-faq
- Worcester State University — Traditional BSN (Track One)worcester.edu/…/nursing-track-one-undergraduate-bs-program
- Worcester State University — Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2025–2026)worcester.edu/…/undergraduate-tuition-fees
- Worcester State University — Cost & Aid (FAFSA priority dates, ValuePlus)worcester.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid
- Worcester State University — Nursing catalog (2025–2026)catalog.worcester.edu/…/nursing
- Worcester State University — Student Costs: Lab & Clinical (PDF)Student-Costs Lab Clinical Rotations (PDF)
- Worcester State University — Online graduate nursing programsonline.worcester.edu/nursing-programs
- Massachusetts — Nursing education (MABORN hub)mass.gov/nursing-education
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursingmass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation
- 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 Worcester State’s published program list (Tracks One–Three, online MSN, post-master’s certificates), 2025–2026 tuition tables, school-reported NCLEX outcomes, and clear disclosure of MABORN approval with warning versus CCNE accreditation.
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