New York Nursing Programs

Top Nursing Schools in
New York — 2026

Compare the best BSN, MSN, ADN, and RN programs in New York. Tuition costs, NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, and unique program highlights for prospective nursing students.

7 programs listed BSN · MSN · ADN New York State Board of Nursing Not a Compact state

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Nursing Programs in New York

BSN · On-Campus
Columbia University
BSN/ELM Program — New York City

Columbia University School of Nursing is one of the nation's elite nursing programs, consistently ranked in the top 10. Students train at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

$38,000/yearAvg Cost
3 yearsLength
97%NCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
BSN Program — New York City

SUNY Downstate's College of Nursing is Brooklyn's premier nursing program. Students rotate through SUNY Downstate University Hospital and Kings County Hospital Center.

$10,500/yearAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
91%NCLEX Pass
MSN · On-Campus
Columbia University
MSN – NP Program — New York City

World-class Ivy League nursing at Columbia University Irving Medical Center

$60,000/yrAvg Cost
2 yearsLength
N/ANCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
New York University
BSN Program — New York City

Elite private university BSN in NYC with NYU Langone Health partnerships

$56,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
93%NCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
BSN – Traditional — Brooklyn

Public medical school-based nursing serving diverse Brooklyn healthcare market

$18,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
91%NCLEX Pass
ADN · On-Campus
LaGuardia Community College
ADN Program — Long Island City

CUNY nursing in the heart of Queens; highly diverse student body and clinical sites

$8,500 totalAvg Cost
2 yearsLength
88%NCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
University at Buffalo
BSN Program — Buffalo

SUNY flagship BSN with Kaleida Health and Catholic Health clinical partnerships

$22,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
92%NCLEX Pass

About Nursing Programs in New York

New York offers one of the most dynamic nursing markets in the country, anchored by world-renowned New York City health systems such as NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone, plus major employers across Long Island, Westchester, Buffalo, and Rochester. RN wages in the New York City metro are among the highest in the nation, though they come paired with a high cost of living and competitive program admissions.

The state offers every pathway: affordable community-college ADN programs, BSN degrees through the State University of New York (SUNY), City University of New York (CUNY), and private universities, plus accelerated second-degree options and a deep menu of MSN and advanced-practice programs. New York has also moved toward a BSN expectation, with its BSN in 10 law requiring newly licensed RNs to earn a bachelor's within ten years of initial licensure — an important factor when choosing between an ADN and a BSN here.

Licensure is handled by the New York State Board of Nursing, which operates under the State Education Department's Office of the Professions. One key planning point: New York is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so New York RNs hold a single-state license, and nurses from other states must apply by endorsement before practicing.

Licensing authority: New York State Board of Nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. New York is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. New York RNs hold a single-state license, and nurses licensed elsewhere — including compact multistate holders — must apply to the New York State Board of Nursing by endorsement to practice in the state.
New York requires registered nurses licensed after the law took effect to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing within ten years of their initial licensure. You can still start with an ADN and become an RN, but you will need to complete a BSN within that window.
Graduate from a New York State-approved nursing program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for licensure through the New York State Board of Nursing under the Office of the Professions.
Yes, particularly in the New York City metro, where demand for seats is high. Strong prerequisite grades and applying to multiple programs improve your chances.
The New York City metro reports some of the highest RN wages in the country, though the region's high cost of living offsets part of that advantage. Pay varies widely between the city and upstate areas.
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