Best RN Programs in New York (2026 Rankings)
Finding the best RN programs in New York means cutting through a lot of noise. New York has 53 nursing programs with IPEDS data, and the range on cost alone tells you this is not a one-size-fits-all market: in-state tuition among the top 12 ranked programs runs from $6,930 per year at CUNY Hunter College to $65,870 at the University of Rochester. The average graduation rate across ranked programs is 72%. That spread matters. A program that looks affordable on paper but graduates fewer than 60% of its students is a real financial risk, not a bargain.
The best RN programs in New York were identified by Hakia's composite scoring model, which pulls from publicly available IPEDS data and weights four factors: graduation rate, in-state tuition, admissions selectivity, and graduate outcomes benchmarked against BLS registered nurse wage data. No program paid to appear here. The 12 schools on this list earned their spots by performing well on data, not by submitting a marketing packet. If you want the methodology in full, it is at the bottom of this page.
This guide walks through what BSN programs cost in New York and why, what the NCLEX-RN actually requires, how accreditation works and why it matters before you enroll anywhere, the honest tradeoffs between an ADN and a BSN, how online and accelerated RN programs fit into the picture, and what the registered nurse job market actually looks like. The goal is to give you enough real information to make a decision, not to hand you a list and call it a day.
Key Takeaways on the Best RN Programs in New York
- In-state tuition among New York's top RN programs ranges from $6,930 (CUNY Hunter College) to $65,870 (University of Rochester) — a tenfold difference that makes the public options a serious value.
- The average graduation rate across the 12 ranked programs is 72%, but individual programs range from 57% (CUNY Hunter) to 88% (NYU). Graduation rate is the first number to check before cost.
- All 53 New York nursing programs were analyzed using IPEDS data; the 12 ranked programs were selected by Hakia Score, which weights graduation rate, affordability, selectivity, and outcomes.
- Registered nurses earn a national median of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data — that figure applies regardless of which accredited New York program you graduate from.
- NCLEX-RN passage is required to practice as a registered nurse in New York. Enrolling in a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program is the clearest path to NCLEX eligibility.
- The two strongest public-value RN programs in the ranked set are Stony Brook University (score 95.1, 76% grad rate, $7,070/yr) and University at Buffalo (score 90.4, 75% grad rate, $7,070/yr).
Programs are ranked by the Hakia Score, a composite built from IPEDS data and BLS wage data for registered nurses. The score weights four factors: graduation rate, in-state tuition (lower cost scores higher), admissions selectivity, and graduate outcomes. No program pays for placement. Reputation surveys are not a factor.
The 12 Best RN Programs in New York, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York UniversityNew York, NY | nonprofit | $62,796 | 88% | 9% | 96.3 |
| 2 | Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY | Public | $7,070 | 76% | 49% | 95.1 |
| 3 | University of RochesterRochester, NY | nonprofit | $65,870 | 85% | 40% | 93.5 |
| 4 | University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY | Public | $7,070 | 75% | 74% | 90.4 |
| 5 | Touro UniversityNew York, NY | nonprofit | $19,472 | 72% | 61% | 89.7 |
| 6 | CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 57% | 54% | 88.4 |
| 7 | St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY | nonprofit | $40,090 | 74% | 66% | 86.6 |
| 8 | Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY | nonprofit | $46,784 | 67% | 66% | 86.5 |
| 9 | Plaza CollegeForest Hills, NY | for-profit | $14,000 | 68% | 30% | 85.9 |
| 10 | Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NY · online option | nonprofit | — | — | — | 85.2 |
| 11 | Siena CollegeLoudonville, NY | nonprofit | $44,505 | 75% | 69% | 84.6 |
| 12 | Pace UniversityNew York, NY | nonprofit | $51,602 | 60% | 76% | 83.0 |
The Top RN Programs in New York at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
A Closer Look at the Top RN Programs in New York
New York University
New York, NY · nonprofit
NYU Meyers posted a 92% NCLEX pass rate in 2024, beating the statewide average by 4 points, across one of the most selective nursing programs in New York.
- 92% NCLEX pass rate (2024), 4 pts above NY average
- Hakia Score 96.3
- 9% admit rate
- 6 undergraduate tracks including 15-month ABSN and BS/MS dual degree
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing offers six distinct undergraduate paths under one roof: a traditional four-year BS, a 15-month Accelerated BS for non-nurse college graduates, a Second Degree Transfer track for career changers who still need prerequisites, a dual BS/MS for students targeting advanced practice, a dual major in Global Public Health and Nursing with NYU's School of Global Public Health, and the LEAD Honors program for students seeking extra clinical and leadership development. Every track ends with a BS in Nursing and NCLEX-RN eligibility. Clinical placements run through some of the most prominent academic medical centers in New York City, and simulation training is conducted in an on-site Clinical Simulation Learning Center.
The program carries a Hakia Score of 96.3, the highest among New York BSN programs in this ranking. Selectivity is extreme: only 9% of applicants are admitted, making this one of the hardest nursing programs to enter in the state. The 88% graduation rate is strong for a program with this level of rigor. Because NYU is a private institution, tuition is $62,796 regardless of residency, which is a real cost to weigh. The tradeoff is access to faculty who are nationally recognized nursing scholars and a clinical network that is hard to replicate elsewhere. Students set on a fast path to advanced practice will find the BS/MS dual-degree pathway a direct route without a separate graduate application cycle.
Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data. NYU's 2024 NCLEX pass rate of 92% versus the New York statewide rate of 88% is the clearest on-page signal of licensure preparation quality the school publishes.
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY · Public
New York state residents pay just $7,070 per year in tuition for a research-university BSN with placement at top employers like Memorial Sloan Kettering and Northwell Health.
- $7,070 in-state tuition per year
- Hakia Score 95.1
- 4 tracks including Accelerated BSN and RN-to-BS/MS
- 49% admit rate
Stony Brook University's School of Nursing runs four undergraduate programs: the Basic Baccalaureate Program (BBP) for first-time-in-college and transfer students, an Accelerated Baccalaureate Program for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, a Registered Nurse to Bachelor's (RN-to-BS) completion program, and a combined RN-to-BS/MS for working nurses who want to move directly toward a graduate credential. The BBP and Accelerated track are delivered on-site and lead to RN licensure. The RN completion programs are offered via distance education with on-site requirements, giving practicing nurses real flexibility. Interviews may be required for qualified applicants. Sample coursework includes Pathophysiology, Fundamentals of Pharmacology, Healing and the Arts, and Social Justice in Health Care.
With a Hakia Score of 95.1 and a 49% admit rate, Stony Brook is selective but reachable for well-prepared applicants. The graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition is $7,070 per year, one of the lowest price points for a research-intensive nursing program in New York. Out-of-state students pay $28,880, which widens the gap considerably, making this program best suited to New York residents who want flagship-caliber clinical training without private-school tuition. Recent employers of SBU nursing graduates include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Northwell Health, Lenox Hill Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, and Weill Cornell Medicine, reflecting the depth of the clinical network available from a Long Island campus.
The school reports that nearly 95% of all SBU graduates are employed or enrolled in professional or graduate school after graduation. BLS data sets the national median RN wage at $97,550 per year. For New York state residents comparing public options, the combination of Stony Brook's research profile, clinical placements, and in-state tuition of $7,070 makes a strong financial case.
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY · nonprofit
The University of Rochester ABSN program reports a 100% pass rate on the Next Generation NCLEX, with graduates completing 650-plus clinical hours in 12 or 24 months.
- 100% Next Generation NCLEX pass rate
- 12-month and 24-month ABSN tracks
- 85% graduation rate
- Hakia Score 93.5
The University of Rochester School of Nursing's undergraduate nursing offering is purpose-built for career changers: the Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing (ABSN) program is open only to students who already hold a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing. There are two pace options, a 12-month track spanning three full-time semesters and a 24-month track across six part-time semesters, with entry points in spring, summer, and fall. Students complete 49 nursing credits and 650-plus clinical hours across med-surg, obstetrics, pediatrics, and psychiatry, with most clinical placements at the University of Rochester Medical Center directly across from the School of Nursing campus. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing and then sit for the NCLEX-RN. The page states a 100% pass rate on the Next Generation NCLEX for the program.
The University of Rochester carries a Hakia Score of 93.5. The 40% admit rate makes it moderately selective, meaningfully more accessible than NYU but still competitive. The 85% graduation rate is the second-strongest among the four programs in this ranking. As a private institution, tuition is $65,870 regardless of residency. That is the highest sticker price in this group, so students should engage with the school's financial aid office early; the program page lists financial aid and scholarships as a dedicated section of the admissions process. The proximity to the University of Rochester Medical Center also translates into employment: the program notes that many graduates are hired by URMC after completing the program.
For college graduates in any discipline who want the fastest credentialed path to RN licensure, the 12-month ABSN option and the program's reported 100% Next Generation NCLEX pass rate are the clearest differentiators. National median RN pay is $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS.
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY · Public
At $7,070 in-state tuition, the University at Buffalo's traditional BSN provides a holistic, competitive admissions process and an NCLEX pass rate the school describes as well above the national average.
- $7,070 in-state tuition per year
- 74% admit rate
- Hakia Score 90.4
- NCLEX pass rate described as well above national average
The University at Buffalo School of Nursing offers a Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing structured as an upper-division program: two years of prerequisite coursework followed by two years of nursing curriculum. First-year students apply as intended nursing majors and then compete for admission to the upper-division program, typically in the spring of their sophomore year. Transfer students and second-degree applicants can enter either by completing remaining prerequisites at UB or by applying directly to the upper division if prerequisites are already satisfied. Admission is based on holistic review that includes a video response, written essay, resume response, and GPA across prerequisites, cumulative, and prerequisite science coursework. The minimum prerequisite GPA required is 3.0 and overall GPA is 3.3. UB also offers a Dual Admission pathway for academically strong students through the UB Honors College.
UB carries a Hakia Score of 90.4 and a 74% admit rate, the most accessible entry point among the four programs in this ranking. The graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition is $7,070 per year, matching Stony Brook as the most affordable public option. Out-of-state tuition rises to $27,670. The competitive admissions process, despite the higher admit rate, is worth noting: applicants who have been dismissed from other nursing programs are ineligible, and the school reserves the right to adjust criteria to meet accreditation requirements. For SUNY and CUNY transfer students, up to seven application fees may be waived. The program page states NCLEX pass rates consistently run well above the national average, though no specific figure is published on the page.
Registered nurses earn a national median of $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS. Buffalo is the right fit for New York residents who want a structured, public-university BSN path with strong NCLEX preparation and a genuinely accessible admit rate without sacrificing program quality.
Touro University
New York, NY · nonprofit
CCNE-accredited cohort BSN across four NYC campuses, with a 61% admit rate and tuition fixed at $19,472 regardless of residency.
- 72% graduation rate
- 61% admit rate
- $19,472 tuition, no out-of-state surcharge
- Hakia Score 89.7
Touro University's School of Health Sciences runs two undergraduate nursing pathways: a traditional BS in Nursing and an RN-to-BS completion track for licensed nurses who hold an associate or diploma credential. The traditional BSN is a lockstep, cohort-based program totaling 125 credits (61 in nursing, 63 in liberal arts, 1 in community service). Clinical coursework is based at the Brooklyn campus; liberal arts and science courses spread across Touro locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. Admission requires a third-party entrance exam, and all transferred science credits must carry a grade of B or better. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Touro's Hakia Score of 89.7 reflects a solid access-to-outcome ratio for a private institution. Tuition is $19,472 with no out-of-state premium, making cost predictable for any New York student. The admit rate is 61% and the graduation rate is 72%. Progression rules are strict: a cumulative GPA of at least 2.65, a grade of B- or better in every nursing course, and mandatory advising conferences each semester. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and are eligible for New York State RN licensure. The national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year.
The RN-to-BS track is a separate pathway that credits prior nursing education toward the degree and focuses on community health and leadership skills. Both pathways lead to the same CCNE-accredited credential and serve as a foundation for Touro's graduate nursing programs.
CUNY Hunter College
New York, NY · Public
The flagship CUNY nursing school pairs a demanding 3.2 GPA prerequisite requirement with one of New York's lowest in-state tuitions at $6,930.
- $6,930 in-state tuition
- 3.2 GPA required for nursing school admission
- Hakia Score 88.4
- CCNE-accredited Generic Pathway BSN
Hunter College's Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is the flagship nursing school within the City University of New York system. Its Generic Pathway BS in Nursing is a four-year program that integrates liberal arts and science prerequisites with professional nursing education, preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Admission to the School of Nursing is a two-step process: students first gain admission to Hunter College, then file a separate application through NursingCAS with a deadline of February 1. A Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) administered by the National League for Nursing is also required.
The prerequisites are among the most rigorous in New York: a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher is required at the time of application, with minimum B grades in all science and math courses including general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, and statistics. The school does not accept repeated science or math prerequisite courses. Those benchmarks contribute to a 54% admit rate and a 57% graduation rate, producing a Hakia Score of 88.4. For students who qualify, the cost structure is a standout: in-state tuition is $6,930, rising to $14,880 for out-of-state students. That gap makes Hunter most attractive for New York residents who can meet the GPA threshold. The national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year.
The undergraduate program also provides a foundation for graduate study at the master's and doctoral levels, both offered within the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing. Students who advance to clinicals must document U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or qualifying immigration status.
St. John Fisher University
Rochester, NY · nonprofit
St. John Fisher posted a 98% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in 2024, with a 1:5-1:8 faculty-to-clinical-student ratio and 840 clinical hours.
- 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024)
- 840 clinical hours, 1:5-1:8 faculty ratio
- 74% graduation rate
- Hakia Score 86.6
St. John Fisher University's Wegmans School of Nursing offers a traditional four-year BSN grounded in evidence-based practice. During the first two years, students complete Core liberal arts and science prerequisites alongside non-credit nursing seminars. The clinical portion of the program features specialty coursework and a precepted clinical role transition course in the final year. The program logs 840 clinical hours total at a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:5-1:8. A simulation center modeled on an actual hospital unit, equipped with specialized medical simulation equipment, supports the experiential curriculum. Fisher also offers an accelerated pathway that allows select graduate-level courses to count toward undergraduate requirements, shortening the time needed to enter the Wegmans School of Nursing's graduate programs.
The 2024 NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate was 98%, which Fisher's program page reports as consistently at or above state and national averages for similar BS programs. The Hakia Score is 86.6, backed by a 74% graduation rate and a 66% admit rate. Tuition is $40,090 with no in-state versus out-of-state distinction, reflecting Fisher's private nonprofit status and its Rochester, NY location. The program fits students who prioritize licensure outcomes and hands-on clinical depth and who are willing to pay private-school tuition for a structured, faculty-intensive program. The national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year.
Fisher nursing graduates are actively recruited by clinical placement sites, and the school integrates care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the undergraduate curriculum as a required component of training.
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY · nonprofit
Adelphi's direct-entry BSN reported an 86.2% NCLEX pass rate in 2025, with clinical placements at Memorial Sloan Kettering and NYU Winthrop Hospital.
- 86.2% NCLEX pass rate (2025)
- Direct-entry admission as a first-year student
- Clinical placements at Memorial Sloan Kettering and NYU Winthrop
- Hakia Score 86.5
Adelphi University's College of Nursing and Public Health offers a direct-entry BSN for first-year students, meaning admitted undergraduates enter the nursing program from day one rather than applying after a pre-nursing year. The program centers on hands-on clinical experience across dedicated education units (DEUs) at Huntington Hospital and Mather Hospital (both Northwell Health), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYU Winthrop Hospital, and St. Francis Hospital. Additional clinical rotations span all five boroughs of New York City and Nassau and Suffolk counties. The on-campus Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), housed in the Nexus Building, is a 22-bed facility with ER, delivery, and pediatric rooms, and includes advanced simulation manikins used for high-fidelity scenario training.
Adelphi's program page reports an 86.2% NCLEX-RN pass rate as of 2025. The Hakia Score is 86.5, with a 67% graduation rate and a 66% admit rate. Tuition is $46,784 with no in-state versus out-of-state differential, making Adelphi the highest-priced program among this group. That cost is offset for some students by the direct-entry structure, the density and prestige of clinical sites, and the program's location in Garden City on Long Island with access to the New York City metropolitan healthcare market. The national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year.
The simulation lab includes Victoria, one of two high-fidelity birthing manikins in the tristate area, and Hal, described as the most advanced pediatric patient simulator available in the United States. These resources allow students to practice obstetric and pediatric emergency scenarios before entering clinical settings.
Plaza College
Forest Hills, NY · for-profit
A 97.1% NCLEX first-time pass rate in 2025 and 100% graduate employment make Plaza College one of New York's most outcome-efficient BSN programs.
- 97.1% NCLEX first-time pass rate (2025)
- 100% employment within 12 months (all cohorts)
- $14,000 flat tuition
- 16-month full-time completion track
Plaza College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an upper-division completion program built for students who already have college credits. It requires 60 prerequisite credits before students enter the 60-credit nursing core, totaling 120 credits for the degree. Two entry tracks are available: Direct Entry, for applicants who hold an associate or bachelor's degree (or at least 60 college credits with required prerequisites), and Foundational Entry, for first-time college students who begin in the Allied Health Science A.S. program to build those prerequisites. Once admitted to the nursing core, students choose between a full-time format (4 semesters, approximately 16 months) or a part-time format (7 semesters, approximately 28 months, held evenings and weekends). The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX.
The numbers here are worth paying attention to. NCLEX first-time pass rates climbed from 83.3% in 2023 to 96.4% in 2024 and 97.1% in 2025, well above CCNE's 80% benchmark. Employment within 12 months of completion hit 100% across all three reported cohorts. Program completion rates were 84% in both 2023 and 2024, dipping to 73% in 2025 but still above the 70% CCNE benchmark. The overall graduation rate sits at 68% and the admit rate is 30%, reflecting a selective, cohort-based structure. Tuition is $14,000 regardless of residency. The Hakia Score of 85.9 ranks it 9th among New York BSN programs for 2026. This program fits career-changers and community college graduates who want a fast, structured path to RN licensure in a small-class setting.
Excelsior University
Albany, NY · nonprofit · online option
Excelsior's fully online, ACEN-accredited RN-to-BSN accepts up to 90 transfer credits, letting working nurses finish a bachelor's degree without stopping their careers.
- Up to 90 transfer credits accepted
- ACEN-accredited, fully asynchronous online
- Courses start every 8 weeks
- Hakia Score 85.2, ranked #10 in New York
Excelsior University offers a fully online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program designed exclusively for licensed registered nurses looking to advance from an associate degree. The program is 120 credits total, and Excelsior accepts up to 90 transfer credits, meaning most working RNs complete only a fraction of coursework from scratch. Courses run asynchronously and start every 8 weeks, which suits nurses juggling shift schedules. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Certain nursing certifications are approved for elective credit. For associate nursing graduates who want to pursue the BSN while preparing for NCLEX, Excelsior also offers a Provisional BS in Nursing pathway.
With an enrollment of 12,941 and more than 200,000 alumni in its network, Excelsior is one of the largest nursing programs in the country by scale. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, holistic care, and preparation for graduate-level education, with general education and professional nursing components distributed across 120 credits. No selective admissions filter applies in the same way as campus programs; the program's design targets nurses already in the field. The Hakia Score of 85.2 places Excelsior 10th among New York BSN programs for 2026. It is the right fit for an RN who wants an accredited BSN on a flexible timeline without relocating or pausing work. National median salary for registered nurses is $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data; a BSN is increasingly the floor for advancement toward that ceiling and beyond.
What RN Programs Cost in New York
The cost gap between the best RN programs in New York is not a rounding error. At the low end, CUNY Hunter College comes in at $6,930 per year in-state tuition. At the high end, the University of Rochester runs $65,870. Both schools appear in the top 12. That range exists because New York's ranked BSN programs include both CUNY and SUNY public institutions and well-regarded private universities, and those two categories price very differently.
The two public standouts in the ranked set, Stony Brook University and the University at Buffalo, each sit at $7,070 per year and both carry graduation rates above 74%. For most in-state students, those two programs represent the strongest value in the entire ranked set. Private nursing programs in New York can offer smaller cohorts, specialized tracks, and institutional resources, but the sticker price for private nonprofit RN programs in this ranking runs from about $19,000 (Touro University) to nearly $52,000 (Pace University). That is a legitimate cost to weigh against what you get.
Against those tuition numbers, the national BLS median for registered nurses sits at $97,550 per year. New York, specifically New York City and Long Island, ranks among the highest-paying metro areas for RNs in the country. A graduate from an in-state public program who carries moderate loan debt enters a job market where the salary math can work in their favor within a few years. A graduate from an expensive private program in a lower-demand setting carries a harder financial equation. The point is not that private programs are wrong choices. It is that the cost-to-outcome math is worth doing explicitly before you commit.
Prospective students should also factor in loan forgiveness programs. New York state operates several nurse workforce incentive programs, and federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) applies to nurses working in nonprofit hospital systems, which make up a large share of New York's healthcare infrastructure. Tuition is the starting point, not the final number.
Licensure and the NCLEX-RN
No nursing degree, from any RN program in New York or anywhere else, makes you a registered nurse by itself. You become a licensed RN by passing the NCLEX-RN, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Every state, including New York, requires a passing NCLEX score before you can practice. The degree gets you to the exam. The exam gets you the license.
The NCLEX-RN uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which means the number of questions varies by candidate. The test adapts to your responses and continues until it can determine with statistical confidence whether you have met the passing standard. As of 2023, NCSBN introduced the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which places heavier emphasis on clinical judgment rather than rote recall. Programs that are updating their curricula to emphasize case-based learning and clinical reasoning are responding to that change. When evaluating RN programs, ask directly how they are preparing students for the NGN format.
NCLEX first-attempt pass rates are one of the most useful data points you can request from a nursing program, and they are not uniformly published. The best RN programs in New York will share their most recent annual pass rates without hesitation. If a program is evasive about this number, that is information. A first-attempt pass rate consistently above 85% is a reasonable benchmark. Below 80% is worth a direct conversation about what the program is doing to improve it.
CCNE vs. ACEN: Why Accreditation Determines Your Options
Before you spend a dollar on any nursing program, confirm it is accredited by either CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, under the American Association of Colleges of Nursing) or ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). Both are federally recognized accreditors. Both satisfy NCLEX eligibility requirements and employer expectations. If a program carries neither, cross it off the list.
CCNE accredits baccalaureate and graduate-level nursing programs at colleges and universities. It is the dominant accreditor for BSN programs at four-year institutions, which is why CCNE appears most frequently when researching the best RN programs in New York at the bachelor's level. ACEN accredits a wider range of program types including diploma, associate, baccalaureate, and clinical doctorate programs, and is more commonly associated with ADN and community college programs, though it accredits BSN programs as well.
The practical difference between the two is modest for most students choosing a BSN program. Both accreditations are recognized by New York State Education Department for licensure purposes. Where it matters more is graduate school: some master's and doctoral nursing programs explicitly require that applicants hold degrees from CCNE-accredited programs. If you have any intention of pursuing a graduate nursing degree, verify that the BSN program you choose carries CCNE accreditation. All 12 programs on this list carry active accreditation; confirm current status through the CCNE or ACEN directories before enrolling, since accreditation status can change.
ADN vs. BSN: The Honest Tradeoff for RN Programs
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically takes two years and costs less than a BSN. You sit for the same NCLEX-RN at the end, and you are legally qualified to practice as a registered nurse on the same day as a BSN graduate. That is the case for the ADN, and it is a real one. For someone who needs to enter the workforce quickly or cannot absorb four years of tuition, the ADN path makes sense.
The BSN has a different set of advantages, and they compound over time. Most Magnet-designated hospitals in New York, which represent the academic medical centers and large health systems where clinical training and career development are strongest, require or strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses for hiring. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, which runs the Magnet program, has pushed health systems toward BSN-prepared workforces for over a decade. New York City's hospital market reflects that trend clearly. An ADN-prepared nurse is eligible to work in many settings, but certain doors close.
The other BSN advantage is trajectory. Any nursing specialty certification, any nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist program, any nursing leadership or administration track requires a bachelor's degree as a floor. If you start with an ADN and decide three years in that you want to become a nurse practitioner, you will need an RN-to-BSN completion program before you can enter a master's program. That adds time and money. If you can swing the BSN on the front end, it eliminates that step. That is why the best RN programs in New York reviewed here focus on BSN programs. They represent the more complete long-term investment for most students entering nursing today.
Online RN Programs and Accelerated BSN Paths
Online and hybrid BSN programs have become a mainstream option, and the stigma they once carried has largely disappeared. What matters is not delivery format but accreditation status and, for clinical components, the quality of the affiliated hospital or healthcare sites where students complete hands-on hours. Every accredited BSN program, online or in-person, requires clinical rotations. The online portion covers didactic coursework; the clinical hours happen in real healthcare settings.
Among the best RN programs in New York, two formats stand out for non-traditional students. Excelsior University (rank 10) has built its reputation specifically on the working adult and military-to-civilian population, offering a fully online RN-to-BSN completion path that has been accredited for years. It is a legitimate option for licensed RNs who need the bachelor's credential without stopping work to attend a campus program. For career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs compress nursing training into 12 to 18 months of intensive full-time study. NYU and the University of Rochester both offer ABSN tracks. These are not easier than a traditional BSN. They are faster, and they assume you can handle a serious academic load in a compressed window.
One thing to verify before enrolling in any online RN program: that the program is approved by the New York State Education Department for nursing education in addition to being nationally accredited. Out-of-state online programs are not automatically approved to train nurses who intend to be licensed in New York. If you are a New York resident pursuing an online program offered by an institution headquartered elsewhere, confirm New York approval explicitly.
RN Salary and Job Outlook for New York Graduates
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects registered nurse employment to grow 6% through 2033, adding roughly 193,100 new positions nationally. Registered nurses already represent one of the largest healthcare occupations in the country. New York is one of the highest-employment states for RNs, driven by the density of hospital systems in New York City, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Upstate metro areas like Buffalo and Rochester.
The national median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550, according to BLS OEWS data. That figure is the same regardless of which accredited New York RN program you graduate from. Starting pay for new RNs in New York City hospital systems typically exceeds the national median, reflecting cost of living and strong union contracts in many systems. Upstate New York markets pay closer to the national figure. The salary advantage of a BSN over an ADN in New York is not guaranteed by the degree itself but tends to appear over time through access to higher-acuity units, specialty certifications, and advancement into charge or management roles that explicitly require the bachelor's credential.
One thing the salary data does not tell you: which nursing specialty you will work in, and specialties vary considerably in compensation. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), for example, earn a median above $200,000, but that requires a graduate degree beyond the BSN. The BSN programs in this ranking are the foundation for any of those paths. The best RN programs in New York give graduates the clinical preparation and academic credential to compete for hospital positions, pursue specialty certifications, and enter graduate programs when the time comes. What you do with that foundation is the variable no ranking can predict.
RN Programs in New York: Your Questions, Answered
How long does it take to finish a BSN in New York?
What is a good NCLEX pass rate?
What do RN programs in New York cost?
Is an online BSN respected by employers?
ADN or BSN: which should I choose?
What is the difference between CCNE and ACEN accreditation?
Do New York RN programs require prerequisites?
How does the Hakia Score rank RN programs?
How the RN Programs in New York Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many community colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: clinical placement quality, NCLEX pass rates, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.