Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs in Massachusetts (Online & Campus) – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Could enrolling in one of the neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Massachusetts be the right professional move for you? As an NNP in the Bay State, you'll work with newborns and infants, many of them high-risk, in practice settings as diverse as NICUs, delivery rooms, well-baby nurseries, and community developmental clinics. Your projected yearly earnings will come to $155,022, and the need for the type of care you deliver will be so great that the demand for your services is predicted to increase by 47 percent within 10 years. The neonatal nurse practitioner specialty offers a lucrative salary, job security, and engaging work! Find out more by reading our list of the best neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Massachusetts.
FOLLOWING ARE THE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in Massachusetts.)
1. Northeastern University - Boston
Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Certificate of Advanced Study
MSN Program Details: If you are a Registered Nurse interested in achieving advanced nursing knowledge and skills, expanding your scope of practice, and providing care to critically ill neonatal patients and their families, becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner could be an excellent career move! There are schools across the country that offer high-quality programs to help you achieve your goals. For example, Northeastern University offers an outstanding Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in Massachusetts.
One option offered by Northeastern is the Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Neonatal NP studies. The program offers three entry terms: fall, spring, and summer. You may choose to enroll part-time or full-time and complete the program in two or three years.
The program is delivered online. The curriculum requires completion of 41 total semester hours. In this program, you will study Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate & Infant, Nursing Management of Critically Ill Neonates, and Neonatal Pharmacology.
Clinical practicum experiences are designed to prepare you to assess, diagnose, and treat issues, including respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, transient tachypnea, and congenital heart disease with appropriate management strategies. You will also participate in the delivery room management of high-risk neonates, learning appropriate care for term and preterm infants experiencing common disease processes. Clinicals average a minimum of 20 hours per week.
MSN Admission Requirements: To be eligible to apply to the MSN program, you must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program, a current RN license, and two years of experience working in a NICU. You need to submit an application, an application fee, a Personal Statement, a current resume, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all institutions you previously attended.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The post-baccalaureate DNP program is designed to prepare RNs with practice expertise and leadership skills. The program can be completed in just 33 months of full-time study. A part-time option is also available. New cohorts are admitted each fall semester.
In this program, you will complete 68 semester hours. Coursework is delivered entirely online with no campus visits required. The program includes more than 1,200 total clinical hours. Clinical hours consist of both direct patient care and indirect hours, achieved through the completion of a DNP scholarly project.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a current United States RN license, and two years of full-time experience in a neonatal intensive care environment (Level III or greater). Along with your application, you are required to provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities you previously attended, a current CV or resume, a Personal Letter of Intent, and two letters of recommendation. Transcripts should reflect a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA and show completion of a graduate statistics course with a grade of “B” or better.
Certificate of Advanced Study Program Details: Northeastern University offers a Certificate of Advanced Study for experienced, master’s-prepared RNs. The program can be completed in just one year of full-time study. New students are admitted in the fall and spring each year.
The Certificate of Advanced Study program is a 24-semester-hour pathway. The curriculum includes a minimum of 600 preceptor-supervised clinical hours. A GAP analysis will be conducted to determine if an individual plan of study is needed to help you meet the eligibility requirements to sit for national certification.
Certificate of Advanced Study Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the Certificate of Advanced Study program, you need a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution, a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse, and a current APRN license, if applicable. You must also have at least two years of Level III or higher NICU experience before entering the program.
You are required to provide two letters of recommendation, a Personal Statement (at least 500 words), a current resume, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. Your transcripts must show that you earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all nursing courses and reflect successful completion of a statistics course that includes hypothesis testing and probability theory. Finally, all incoming students seeking the Certificate of Advanced Study must have completed coursework equivalent to the courses Advanced Pharmacology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• A key factor to consider when researching Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in Massachusetts is graduate performance on national certification examinations. According to Northeastern University, graduates who sit for the NNP certification exam offered by the National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties have exceptionally high pass rates.• One of the appealing aspects of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in Massachusetts at Northeastern University is that coursework is 100% online. The flexibility of online learning makes this program the perfect option for busy working nurses or those with families and other obligations.
• The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at Northeastern University is taught by industry-leading experts in nursing and neonatal health. As a student in this program, you will glean from their decades of combined experience and insight, which means you will be well-prepared to embark on your new journey as an NNP with confidence!
• Northeastern University is committed to providing you with not only the didactic instruction you need to succeed, but also a broad range of clinical opportunities to round out your education and help you develop and hone the essential skills required of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners. You will complete clinicals in Level III and Level IV Neonatal ICUs, high-risk maternity wards, and other settings, as determined by the school.
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN MASSACHUSETTS?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS EXPECT?
| Hourly | $54.83 |
| Weekly | $2,193 |
| Monthly | $9,500 |
| Annual | $114,050 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $54.83 | $2,193 | $9,500 | $114,050 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $62.04 | $2,482 | $10,750 | $129,040 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $73.24 | $2,929 | $12,690 | $152,330 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $81.56 | $3,262 | $14,140 | $169,640 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $97.46 | $3,898 | $16,890 | $202,720 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS?
| Hourly | $74.53 |
| Weekly | $2,981 |
| Monthly | $12,920 |
| Annual | $155,020 |
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF MASSACHUSETTS?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Barnstable Town | $72.80 | $2,912 | $12,620 | $151,430 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua | $75.19 | $3,008 | $13,030 | $156,400 |
| Leominster-Gardner | $69.80 | $2,792 | $12,100 | $145,180 |
| New Bedford | $77.13 | $3,085 | $13,370 | $160,420 |
| Pittsfield | $68.23 | $2,729 | $11,830 | $141,910 |
| Springfield | $70.00 | $2,800 | $12,130 | $145,600 |
| Worcester | $75.15 | $3,006 | $13,030 | $156,320 |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS VS. OTHER SALARIES
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Massachusetts Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Average National Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $155,020 | $138,310 | +$16,710 | +12.08% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $173,890 | -$18,870 | -10.85% |
| Nevada | $160,030 | -$5,010 | -3.13% |
| Washington | $156,510 | -$1,490 | -0.95% |
| New Jersey | $156,110 | -$1,090 | -0.70% |
| Oregon | $156,030 | -$1,010 | -0.65% |
| Massachusetts | $155,020 | $0 | 0.00% |
| New York | $153,750 | +$1,270 | +0.83% |
| Connecticut | $147,450 | +$7,570 | +5.13% |
| New Mexico | $147,220 | +$7,800 | +5.30% |
| Minnesota | $145,330 | +$9,690 | +6.67% |
| District of Columbia | $145,160 | +$9,860 | +6.79% |
| Rhode Island | $143,660 | +$11,360 | +7.91% |
| Hawaii | $142,740 | +$12,280 | +8.60% |
| Arizona | $142,690 | +$12,330 | +8.64% |
| Delaware | $141,130 | +$13,890 | +9.84% |
| Iowa | $140,820 | +$14,200 | +10.08% |
| New Hampshire | $140,730 | +$14,290 | +10.15% |
| Texas | $139,950 | +$15,070 | +10.77% |
| Wisconsin | $138,140 | +$16,880 | +12.22% |
| Maryland | $137,770 | +$17,250 | +12.52% |
| Utah | $137,590 | +$17,430 | +12.67% |
| North Dakota | $137,520 | +$17,500 | +12.73% |
| Pennsylvania | $137,190 | +$17,830 | +13.00% |
| Illinois | $136,600 | +$18,420 | +13.48% |
| Alaska | $135,810 | +$19,210 | +14.14% |
| Vermont | $135,740 | +$19,280 | +14.20% |
| Montana | $134,170 | +$20,850 | +15.54% |
| Idaho | $134,070 | +$20,950 | +15.63% |
| Oklahoma | $133,830 | +$21,190 | +15.83% |
| Wyoming | $133,000 | +$22,020 | +16.56% |
| Indiana | $132,740 | +$22,280 | +16.78% |
| Maine | $132,340 | +$22,680 | +17.14% |
| Ohio | $132,260 | +$22,760 | +17.21% |
| Colorado | $131,310 | +$23,710 | +18.06% |
| Nebraska | $130,980 | +$24,040 | +18.35% |
| North Carolina | $130,880 | +$24,140 | +18.44% |
| Georgia | $130,410 | +$24,610 | +18.87% |
| South Dakota | $130,230 | +$24,790 | +19.04% |
| Virginia | $130,110 | +$24,910 | +19.15% |
| Michigan | $129,900 | +$25,120 | +19.34% |
| Florida | $128,860 | +$26,160 | +20.30% |
| Kansas | $128,390 | +$26,630 | +20.74% |
| Louisiana | $127,740 | +$27,280 | +21.36% |
| Mississippi | $126,470 | +$28,550 | +22.57% |
| South Carolina | $125,880 | +$29,140 | +23.15% |
| Missouri | $125,600 | +$29,420 | +23.42% |
| West Virginia | $122,120 | +$32,900 | +26.94% |
| Arkansas | $122,080 | +$32,940 | +26.98% |
| Kentucky | $118,810 | +$36,210 | +30.48% |
| Alabama | $118,430 | +$36,590 | +30.90% |
| Tennessee | $111,650 | +$43,370 | +38.84% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES INMASSACHUSETTS
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $272,510 | -$117,490 | -43.11% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $155,020 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $154,080 | +$940 | +0.61% |
| Registered Nurse | $108,850 | +$46,170 | +42.42% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $87,140 | +$67,880 | +77.90% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $73,400 | +$81,620 | +111.20% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,750 | +$110,270 | +246.41% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $162,920 | -$7,900 | -4.85% |
| Veterinarian | $162,030 | -$7,010 | -4.33% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $155,020 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Optometrist | $142,680 | +$12,340 | +8.65% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,550 | +$22,470 | +16.95% |
| Pharmacist | $128,580 | +$26,440 | +20.56% |
| Radiation Therapist | $120,240 | +$34,780 | +28.93% |
| Physical Therapist | $99,700 | +$55,320 | +55.49% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,910 | +$58,110 | +59.96% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,410 | +$58,610 | +60.79% |
| Audiologist | $95,510 | +$59,510 | +62.31% |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,340 | +$60,680 | +64.32% |
| Chiropractor | $92,850 | +$62,170 | +66.96% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs In Massachusetts?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Massachusetts?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Hour In Massachusetts?
| $74.53 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Week In Massachusetts?
| $2,981 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Month In Massachusetts?
| $12,920 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Year In Massachusetts?
| $155,020 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Neonatal Nurse Practitioners In Massachusetts?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +46.89% |
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.
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