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New York Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

    New York is home to some of the world’s most acclaimed universities, which can make choosing a nursing program in this state somewhat daunting. The following guide is designed to provide you with essential information on the many nursing programs available in the state. New York’s colleges and universities offer an eclectic menu of concentrations and sub-specialties in nursing, including pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, nursing education, and nursing administration. A traditional nursing program, however, doesn’t work for everyone. Those students requiring flexibility may want to consider earning an online bachelor’s or master’s in nursing degree.

    Quick Facts

    • 136 schools with nursing programs in New York are in our database (see below).
    • 87 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
    • 60 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
    • 41 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
    • 4 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
    • No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
    • 19 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
    • 9 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4

    Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in New York

    Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*

    • Binghamton University (#18 in-state, #6 out-of-state)
    • CUNY Hunter College (#45 in-state, #30 out-of-state)
    • Stony Brook University, State University of New York (#32 in-state, #34 out-of-state)
    • University at Buffalo (#54 in-state, #70 out-of-state)

    *Institution-wide ranking.

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s

    • Columbia University (#11 tie)
    • New York University (#16 tie)
    • University of Rochester (#37 tie)
    • Stony Brook University (#66 tie)
    • CUNY Hunter College (#87 tie)
    • University at Buffalo (#91 tie)
    • Binghamton University (#105 tie)
    • Pace University (#113 tie)
    • SUNY Downstate Medical Center (#131 tie)
    • Le Moyne College (#146 tie)
    • Adelphi University (#164 tie)
    • St. John Fisher College (#167 tie)
    • Molloy College (#173 tie)
    • CUNY College of Staten Island (#176 tie)
    • SUNY at Delhi (#176 tie)
    • SUNY Polytechnic Institute (#183 tie)
    • St. Joseph’s College (#201 tie)
    • Wagner College (#210 tie)
    • Daemen College (#220 tie)

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

    • New York University (#13 tie)
    • Columbia University (#19 tie)
    • University of Rochester (#39 tie)
    • Stony Brook University (#73 tie)
    • University at Buffalo (#73 tie)
    • Binghamton University (#101 tie)
    • CUNY Hunter College (#105 tie)
    • Pace University (#109 tie)
    • St. John Fisher College (#149 tie)

    Below you will find several profiles of the many undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered throughout New York.

    NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in New York

    The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit New York nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the New York State Education Department.

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGrad Nursing ProgramACEN/
    CCNE Accred.*
    NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^# TakingNet Price^^
    Adelphi UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A67%255$25,441
    Adirondack Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A83%93$7,211
    Binghamton UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$23,167
    Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A75%157$7,475
    Bronx Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN90%1076%54$8,249
    Cayuga County Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A96%49$6,037
    Clinton Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A88%32$7,179
    Cochran School of NursingYesNoNoACENN/AN/A91%21$15,448
    College of Mount St. VincentNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A44%183$21,011
    College of New RochelleNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A54%89$32,561
    College of Staten IslandYesYesYesACENN/AN/A64%129$9,575
    Columbia-Greene Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A77%57$5,711
    Columbia UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A82%169$20,838
    Concordia CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A88%49$18,562
    Corning Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A85%54$6,593
    D’Youville CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A72%150$18,300
    Daemen CollegeNoYesYesACENN/AN/AN/AN/A$17,517
    Dominican CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A63%72$20,197
    Dutchess Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A87%97$6,264
    Elmira CollegeNoYesNoACENN/AN/A80%30$24,030
    Erie Community College-BuffaloYesNoNoACENN/AN/A85%59$4,369
    Erie Community College-WilliamsvilleYesNoNoACENN/AN/A84%62$4,369
    Excelsior CollegeYesYesYesACENN/AN/A74%960N/A
    Finger Lakes Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A83%64$9,545
    Finger Lakes Health College of NursingYesNoNoACENN/AN/A77%49$7,863
    Fulton Montgomery Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A85%26$7,944
    Genesee Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A84%135$6,272
    Hartwick CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A86%44$24,577
    Helene Fuld College of NursingYesYesNoACEN/CCNEN/AN/A61%194$28,926
    Hostos Community CollegeYesNoNoNo81%1674%54$6,444
    Hudson Valley Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A91%79$8,829
    Hunter CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A84%123$8,129
    Jamestown Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A98%79$8,230
    Jefferson Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A100%30$5,677
    Keuka CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$25,629
    Kingsborough Community CollegeYesNoNoNoN/AN/A70%131$6,910
    La Guardia Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN86%6385%116$8,514
    Le Moyne CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$22,188
    Lehman CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A82%62$2,327
    Long Island University-BrooklynNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A75%215$22,678
    Long Island University-C.W. PostNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$29,039
    Maria CollegeYesYesNoACEN100%3283%98$6,957
    Medgar Evers CollegeYesYesNoACEN65%2052%64$8,661
    Mercy CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$14,990
    Mohawk Valley Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A67%82$6,515
    Molloy CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A74%325$23,383
    Monroe Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A91%151$6,795
    Mount St. Mary CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A83%125$24,208
    Nassau Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A81%136$7,196
    Nazareth CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A72%36$26,802
    New York City College Of TechnologyYesYesNoACENN/AN/A87%93$7,033
    New York Institute of Technology-Old WestburyNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A89%28$24,658
    New York Institute of Technology-ManhattanNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A75%4$32,300
    New York UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A83%395$35,543
    Niagara County Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%383%107$5,578
    Niagara UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A63%19$19,130
    North Country Community College-MaloneYesNoNoNoN/AN/AN/AN/A$16,112
    North Country Community College-Saranac LakeYesNoNoNo92%7175%61$7,105
    North Country Community College-TiconderogaYesNoNoNo100%3100%3$16,112
    Nyack CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A65%26$19,081
    Onondaga Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A91%58$8,011
    Orange County Community College-Day FormatYesNoNoACENN/AN/A87%86$5,225
    Orange County Community College-Evening FormatYesNoNoACENN/AN/A100%14$5,225
    Pace University-New York CityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$29,641
    Pace University-PleasantvilleNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A92%109$29,641
    Philips Beth Israel School of NursingYesNoNoNoN/AN/A78%116$9,983
    Queensborough Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A91%88$5,083
    Roberts Wesleyan CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A81%47$21,244
    Rockland Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A81%109$9,130
    Sage CollegesNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A79%53$17,249
    St. Elizabeth College of NursingYesNoNoACENN/AN/A95%55$19,792
    St. Francis CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$15,023
    St. John Fisher CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A90%162$23,783
    St. Joseph’s CollegeNoYesYesACENN/AN/A92%120$15,635
    Suffolk County Community College-BrentwoodYesNoNoACENN/AN/A70%91$7,027
    Suffolk County Community College-Eastern CampusYesNoNoACEN84%19N/AN/A$9,064
    Suffolk County Community College-SeldenYesNoNoACENN/AN/A70%187$7,027
    Sullivan County Community CollegeYesNoNoNoN/AN/A82%17$7,304
    SUNY BinghamtonNoYesNoNoN/AN/A78%155$15,572
    SUNY BrockportNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$13,813
    SUNY BrooklynNoYesNoNoN/AN/A91%66$25,805
    SUNY BroomeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A72%60$8,448
    SUNY BuffaloNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A80%125$14,546
    SUNY College of Tech at AlfredYesYesNoACEN/CCNEN/AN/A68%56$14,378
    SUNY College of Tech at CantonYesYesNoACENN/AN/A58%92$11,884
    SUNY College of Tech at DelhiYesYesNoACEN50%478%23$13,043
    SUNY College of Tech at FarmingdaleYesYesYesCCNEN/AN/A77%31$8,146
    SUNY College of Tech at MorrisvilleYesNoNoACENN/AN/A87%63$15,084
    SUNY Empire State CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$12,604
    SUNY Polytechnic Institute-RomeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$15,174
    SUNY Stony BrookNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A86%142$13,352
    Tompkins Cortland Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A90%59$9,340
    Touro CollegeYesYesNoCCNEN/AN/A79%19$22,621
    Trocaire CollegeYesYesNoACEN68%7571%220$12,514
    Ulster County Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A85%52$4,225
    University of RochesterNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A92%171$32,996
    Utica CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A67%51$22,308
    Wagner CollegeNoYesYesACENN/AN/A82%78$29,226
    Westchester Community CollegeYesNoNoNo75%485%48$6,027
    York College CUNYNoYesNoACENN/AN/A67%21$5,856

    *The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
    **NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1 and December 31, 2014.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1 and December 31, 2014.8 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).

    Schools in New York with Nursing Degrees

    Associate’s in Nursing Programs

    Medgar Evers College
    The Department of Nursing at Medgar Evers College (MEC) empowers students to become nurses and to continually build upon previous nursing experience and education throughout their careers. The school offers an Associate in Applied Science Nursing Degree Program (ADN) that focuses on inner-city urban health with a holistic approach to health care. Students who complete the program learn the principles of professional nursing leadership and are prepared for advanced nursing education. In support of MEC’s commitment to further students’ self-improvement, the school’s nursing programs use an articulation pathway that allows students to move from one program to the next in order to earn additional credentials. MEC also offers a Certificate in Practical Nursing (PN), an LPN to RN transition track, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The ADN and BSN programs at MEC are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

    Trocaire College
    Boasting over 50 years of excellence in undergraduate education, Trocaire College prepares students to provide high quality, holistic care for patients from diverse backgrounds. As a liberal arts college, Trocaire begins each student’s education with an emphasis on courses designed to empower personal discovery. While completing the liberal arts background and throughout the nursing program students have access to state-of-the-art labs and real-world clinical experience. Nursing students at Trocaire are able to choose from several degree paths. Trocaire College offers a Certificate in Practical Nursing (PN), an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing with both day (full-time) and evening (part-time) options (ADN), and a 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program (BSN). Each program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students seeking a BSN can enjoy the flexibility of the program’s hybrid online format.

    Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

    New York Institute of Technology
    New York Institute of Technology’s four-year, 128-credit Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is divided into three phases: the NURS intent, the pre-clinical phase, and the clinical phase. The NURS intent phase allows students to declare the nursing major while predominately focusing on completing prerequisite general coursework. Students enter the pre-clinical phase upon completion of all prerequisite coursework and provided they meet the program requirements. During this time, students take a gateway nursing course. The clinical phase consists of a nursing curriculum covering pharmacology, transcultural nursing, nursing in the community, and nutrition and diet therapy. Clinical practicums at local facilities are mandatory.

    York College
    York College prepares graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students must first complete 56 credits in prerequisite and general college coursework before being admitted into the nursing major. Nursing majors will complete such core courses as adult health, nursing care of children, deviations in physiologic functions, psychiatric and mental health nursing, and pharmacology for nurses. Students can network and become involved on campus by joining the Nursing Student Club. The Nursing Department also features an RN-to-BSN program for current registered nurses who already hold an associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing.

    Utica College
    Utica College in Syracuse offers a 16-month accelerated second degree nursing program that complements online coursework with hands-on clinical skills training and real-world clinical rotations to prepare future nurses for practice. The curriculum is designed for students who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree in non-nursing fields and includes 62 credit hours of nursing-focused coursework. Students also complete approximately 600 clinical hours accruing experience with Utica College’s healthcare partners, which include Upstate University Hospital and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare. Utica College holds accreditation from the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and its ABSN program holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

    Master’s in Nursing Programs

    New York University
    New York University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program allows graduate students to choose from one of nine concentrations: adult acute care, adult primary care, family nurse practitioner, pediatrics, mental health nursing, nursing administration, nursing informatics, nursing education, and nurse midwifery. In addition to core and concentration-specific coursework, nursing students gain hands-on experience with clinical experiences at NYU’s Clinical Simulation Learning Center and through practicums at local medical facilities. Applicants must hold a current registered nurse’s license and possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Successful candidates may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer semester.

    Columbia University
    Graduate students at Columbia University may pursue a Masters Direct Entry (MDE) that is for non-nursing undergraduates. Other joint degrees are offered to the same students, including an MDE/DNP and an MDE/PhD degree option. Columbia also offers a Nurse Midwifery program that boasts a 100% graduation rate and courses include Maternal-Fetal-Newborn Physiology, Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: Prevention, Assessment and Intervention for Health Care Professionals, Breastfeeding, Postpartum, and Newborn Care, and Incorporating Genetics and Genomics in Advanced Practice Nursing. Students in all programs complete core and concentration-specific coursework in addition to mandatory clinical practicums at facilities throughout metropolitan New York.

    Student Reviews

    Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

    Daemen College
    4380 Main St
    Amherst, NY 14226
    (716) 839-8225
    www.daemen.edu

    Student Review: “The nursing program at Daemen College was quite a difficult program and continues to be. This program is an enjoyable experience with great professors. The workload is quite large but it seems to be very worth it. Classes are far from easy, which is mostly to be expected. The professors within the program are willing to work with each individual student to ensure they achieve their best. One thing I would change about this program is the class selection. Many classes have very small amounts of students allowed into the class and getting the professor you want is a challenge. But if you plan ahead and make your schedule early getting the classes you want isn’t as hard. The advisors for this program are excellent. They were able to work with me every step of the way from acceptance to picking my classes to making sure I had tutors, they ensured I had all of the resources I needed to do my best. Overall the nursing program at Daemen was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone looking to receive a nursing degree from an accredited program.” – Student at Daemen College
    stars-4

    Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
    10469 Bantle Rd
    North Collins, NY 14111
    (716) 549-4454
    https://www.e2ccb.org/

    Student Review: “This program led to a very well rounded career in nursing. As an LPN the program led to passing the NCLEX-PN on the first try. The trade school provided many experiences, everything from hands-on to shadowing clinics in all sorts of practical specialties. There was fulfilling experience on both a med surg floor as well as a telemetry unit. A three day world wind experience in a maternity unit helping hysterectomy patients to assisting in the delivery of both c-section babies to naturally birthed babies. The program led to just the start of my dream to become a well rounded Nurse.” – Student at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
    stars-3

    Mercy College
    555 Broadway
    Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
    (877) 637-2946
    https://www.mercy.edu/

    Student Review: “I loved [Mercy College]. The professors always stayed late and always tried to help. Nursing is always a tough curriculum. Sometimes, I felt like giving up. However, they always helped to give me that extra push. They not only taught me out of a text book but, also gave me real-life experience from Day 1. Such an awesome group of faculty and students. They would even meet you during their off time if you had unanswered questions. The teachers defiantly make the difference.” – Student at Mercy College
    stars-4

    Niagara University
    5795 Lewiston Rd
    Niagara Univ, NY 14109
    (716) 286-8700
    www.niagara.edu

    Student Review: “The nursing program at Niagara University really challenged what I thought I knew. I come from a background of being a Licensed Practicing Nurse, so I thought I would take the leap and become a full-fledged Registered Nurse. Niagara University is the vehicle that God provided me with in order to take my life to the next level. Niagara University has been challenging so far, with nursing classes every weekday, and clinical every weekend. However, I feel the added workload just serves to further prepare us for the outside world. The instructors are more than helpful and always willing to make time to help out.” – Student at Niagara University
    stars-4

    State University of New York at Broome (SUNY Broome)
    907 Upper Front St, #1
    Binghamton, NY 13905
    (607) 778-5000
    www.sunybroome.edu

    Student Review: “The program I am in is the week-ender for RN. It allows students to get their Nursing degree on nights and weekends. It is a 2-year program that for an associated degree in nursing that is spread out over three years. The scheduling is flexible, however, the program is tough. You have to get a B+ or better to stay enrolled. The chair of the department is fair, however, late assignments and or poor attendance is not tolerated.” – Student at SUNY Broome
    stars-3

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
    3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
    4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
    5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
    6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
    7. New York State Education, Department Office of the Professions, Nursing: https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions-index/nursing
    8. New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Nursing: https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions-index/nursing