Boston College

Born out of Cardinal Richard Cushing's vision, the Boston College has evolved into a leading institution since its inception in 1947. Renamed in honor of William F. Connell in 2003, its students embark on a transformative educational journey that melds academic rigor with hands-on experience.

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Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

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School Ranking: A
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Boston College is a 4 year or higher National University. It is a public and non-profit institution. The institution offers a variety of hybrid, and on-campus programs—including BSN, Entry Level BSN, MSN, Masters, RN to MSN, DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, MSN to PhD, CRNA, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education. Boston College admits 17% of applicants and graduates 92% of its students.

Contact Info

Quick Overview

  • $124,488 Undergraduate Tuition
  • $96,514 Graduate Tuition
  • Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity
  • 9,751 Undergraduate Enrolled
    *Certificate and degree-seeking students
  • 5,305 Graduate Students Enrolled
  • 17% Acceptance Rate
  • 92% Graduation Rate

Student Demographics

  • 19 Average Age
  • 47% Men
  • 53% Women
  • 1% Veterans
  • 82% White
  • 8% Hispanic
  • 8% Black
  • 5% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • Family Nurse Practitioner FNP

  • On-Campus BSN to DNP Program
  • $131,692 In-State Tuition
  • 73 Credits
  • 60 Months
  • 3.00 GPA Required
  • 1000 Clincal Hours
  • 4.3 Program Score

  • Traditional BSN

  • On-Campus BSN Program
  • $124,488 In-State Tuition
  • 117 Credits
  • 48 Months
  • 4.6 Program Score

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

Boston College (BC) is a private institution founded in 1863.

The School of Nursing was established by the request of Cardinal Richard Cushing, archbishop of Boston, who wanted the University to offer a baccalaureate nursing program because no Catholic institution in the Archdiocese of Boston offered one.

On January 27, 1947, the School of Nursing opened with 35 students prepared to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing. In 1958, the school offered a master's program and the PhD program was offered in 1988 becoming the first nursing doctoral program to be offered at a Jesuit university. In 2003, the School of Nursing was named in honor of the late businessman and philanthropist William F. Connell, a member of the BC Class of 1959, and became:  Boston College Connell School of Nursing.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing — BSN

The bachelors program requires four years to complete combining liberal arts and natural and social sciences; focusing on incorporating classroom and clinical experiences. An excellent advantage is that students are eligible to take graduate level nursing courses as electives during their junior and senior years.

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing — MSN

Program Eligibility (not all inclusive)

  • Bachelor's degree, diploma, or associate's degree from a nationally accredited nursing program
  • Minimum 110 course credits
  • Undergraduate GPA of B or better
  • Course in Statistics
  • Current RN license

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse — APRN Specialty Areas

Graduates are eligible to sit for his/her certification examination as Nurse Practitioners or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

  1. Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  2. Family Nurse Practitioner
  3. Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
  4. Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  5. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  6. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner Program Highlights

  • RNs with BSNs can choose from one of five specialties as NPs
  • Full time and part time options available.
  • Program completion within two years, full time or part time
  • 13 courses = 45 credits
  • September or January start

Program Eligibility (not all inclusive)

  • Bachelor's degree, diploma, or associate's degree from a nationally accredited nursing program
  • Minimum 110 course credits
  • GPA of B or better
  • Statistics
  • Current RN license
  • RNs with diploma or associate's degree in nursing must meet all Boston College undergraduate science and liberal arts course requirements

Clinical Experience

We offer a range of clinical placements in the Boston area, home to one of the nation's best health care communities. Here, students gain invaluable experience in world-renowned hospitals, innovative community agencies, public health departments, and other practice settings. 

We're a proud member in this prestigious partnership, placing students throughout Greater Boston in hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for successful careers.

Nurse Anesthesia  — CRNA

The program is designed to be completed in 27 months.

Program Eligibility (not all inclusive)

  • Bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited nursing program
  • Undergraduate GPA of B or better
  • Statistics course
  • Current Massachusetts RN license
  • A minimum of one year of critical care experience as an RN in the U.S., its territories, or a US military hospital outside of the US
  • ACLS/PALS certification
  • GRE

Direct Master's Entry

There are five nurse practitioner specialties from which to choose.

  1. Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  2. Family
  3. Pediatric Primary Care
  4. Psychiatric/Mental Health
  5. Women's Health

Program Eligibility (not all inclusive)

  • Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA  > 3.0
  • Prerequisite course completion

It takes 23 months of full-time study to complete the program. After the completion of the first year, students are eligible to take the examination for RN licensure (NCLEX-RN). Students may take part-time options that are available after the first year.

RN to MSN

If full-time status, students can finish the program in as few as two years and part-time students can complete it in three years.

Dual Degrees

  • MS/PhD in Nursing
  • MS/MA program is offered in conjunction with Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry
  • MS/MBA program is offered in conjunction with Boston College's Carroll School of Management

Doctor of Philosophy  — PhD / MS Joint Program

Outstanding students with bachelor's degrees in nursing may apply to the joint MS/PhD program.

Program Eligibility (not all inclusive)

  • Master's degree from a nationally accredited university in nursing or a related field
  • Statistics course
  • Current RN license

International Educative Experiences

BC Connell School of Nursing offers unique international study and travel opportunities. Approximately one- third of the students actually study abroad during their junior year and another third of senior students participate in global clinical experiences.

Accreditation and Approval

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the BSN program.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the Master of Science degree program.

The nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). 

Boston College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).

The Connell School of Nursing is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

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