New York Nursing Schools and Programs

Nursing Schools in New York

Farmingdale State College offers a BSN and an RN-to-BS completion program. The 126-credit BSN combines classroom, lab, and clinical learning, and students must hold a "C" or better in nursing courses to stay enrolled.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Farmingdale
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $3,535 per semester in-state; $8,490 per semester out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: High school or GED diploma; prerequisite courses
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,650 (College Scorecard)

New York University's Rory Meyers College of Nursing offers a BSN in a 15-month accelerated format or a traditional four-year track. The 128-credit program covers liberal arts, science prerequisites, and core nursing and clinical coursework.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: New York
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $27,440 per semester
• Admission Requirements: Applicants with fewer than 32 college credits apply to the four-year BSN
• Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 99%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $98,450 (College Scorecard)

The University of Rochester offers a post-master's certificate for nurses who already hold a master's and want to specialize or practice as nurse practitioners. Coursework depends on prior study, with January, May, and September start dates.

• Program: Post-master's certificate
• Campus: Rochester
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $1,640 per credit
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's from an accredited school; minimum 3.0 GPA; New York RN license; APRN license if applicable

Binghamton University offers a 126-credit BSN through a traditional four-year path or an accelerated track, including 52 credits of nursing courses. SAT and ACT scores are optional.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Binghamton
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $7,070 per semester in-state; $24,910 per semester out-of-state
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $73,190 (College Scorecard)

Columbia University offers a post-bachelor's doctor of nursing practice (DNP) for RNs and APRNs who want to expand their scope of care. Specialties include family nurse practitioner, midwifery, and pediatric primary care.

• Program: DNP
• Campus: New York
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $68,140 per year
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's or master's in nursing; New York RN license or eligibility; one year of RN experience

Stony Brook University offers an advanced certificate in nursing education for nurses who want to teach. Coursework is online with onsite requirements, and students complete at least 20 credits.

• Program: Advanced certificate in nursing education
• Campus: Stony Brook
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $471 per credit in-state; $963 per credit out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: Master's in nursing from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA; current RN license; three recommendation letters

St. John Fisher College offers an MSN with the option to add a post-master's certificate. Students hold a BSN and a current New York RN license, with classes on weekday evenings.

• Program: MSN
• Campus: Rochester
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $1,239 per credit
• Admission Requirements: BSN from an accredited institution; at least one year of current clinical experience; active RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; "B" or higher in undergraduate health assessment, research, and statistics; two recommendation letters; resume

Hunter College offers a BSN combining liberal arts and sciences with professional nursing education, preparing students for graduate study.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: New York
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $6,930 per year in-state; $18,600 out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 3.2 GPA; "B" or higher in select prerequisites
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.9%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $100,640 (College Scorecard)

Nazareth College offers a hands-on BSN in smaller classroom settings, pairing each student with a faculty mentor.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Rochester
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $35,890 per year
• Admission Requirements: High school average of 85% or higher, or 3.0 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $66,040 (College Scorecard)

Siena College in Loudonville offers a BSN that lets students earn an associate and bachelor's in nursing within four years, through a dual-degree partnership with Ellis Medicine's Belanger School of Nursing and Maria College.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Loudonville
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Tuition: $35,890 per year
• Admission Requirements: High school average of 85% or higher, or 3.0 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: Four years

How to Choose a Nursing Program in New York

Weigh these factors as you compare schools:

• Cost and in-state or out-of-state tuition
• Academic quality and how the curriculum fits your interests
• Graduation and NCLEX-RN pass rates, which signal how well a program prepares you for licensure
• Class size
• Location
• Program format

Why Become a Nurse in New York

Demand keeps climbing. Projections Central estimates nursing jobs in the state will grow 24.6% between 2018 and 2028, against 9% nationally. New York also offers range, from major city hospitals to rural communities, and many programs include online options.

In April 2022, New York became the 25th state to grant full practice authority to experienced nurse practitioners, letting them deliver more care with less oversight.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in New York

New York nursing salaries rank among the highest in the country. As of May 2024, RNs in the state averaged about $100,130 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics), and nurse practitioners earned among the nation's highest pay, around $145,000. The state's cost of living also runs above the national average, especially in and around New York City, which is part of why local pay varies so widely. By 2030, New York is projected to face a shortage of about 2,220 nurses, so a New York license is a sound career bet.

Source: BLS. Metro figures reflect an earlier OEWS reporting period and run below the updated May 2024 statewide average.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in New York

The general path mirrors other states: earn a degree from an approved program, pass the NCLEX, and clear a background check.

RN Requirements

Earn an ADN or BSN from an approved school, complete an infection control course and a child abuse reporting course, pass the NCLEX-RN, and clear a background check. The licensing application fee is $143, with a $73 renewal fee.

APRN Requirements

Graduate from an MSN or DNP program, earn APRN board certification, complete state-approved pharmacology coursework, pass a background check, and apply to the state board. A nurse practitioner application costs $85; a clinical nurse specialist license costs $80.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become an RN in New York? Attend a state-approved nursing school (in New York or another state), earn an ADN or BSN, complete infection control and child abuse reporting courses, pass the NCLEX-RN, and clear a background check.

Are nurses in demand here? Yes. Projections Central projects 24.6% job growth between 2018 and 2028, and demand will rise as the population ages.

What do RNs earn? As of May 2024, the statewide average is about $100,130 (BLS). Local pay varies widely with demand and cost of living, from roughly $70,000 in some upstate regions to well above the average in and around New York City.

Can I work in New York with a foreign license? Yes, if your education is equivalent to a New York nursing program. The state board explains how to document your training and apply. Graduates of Canadian programs (outside Quebec) have an easier path.