Best Nursing Schools in New York: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

Overview of Nursing Education in New York

New York offers one of the most diverse nursing education landscapes in the United States, with 20 accredited programs spanning community colleges, public universities, and elite private institutions. Whether you're a high school graduate, career changer, or experienced healthcare worker, New York has pathways to become a registered nurse (RN) or advance to graduate-level practice.

The state hosts programs at multiple credential levels: Associate's Degrees (ADN) through 2-year community colleges, Bachelor's Degrees (BSN) at 4-year universities, and Master's and Doctoral programs for advanced practice. This diversity means you can start affordably at a community college for under $6,500/year or invest in a prestigious degree from Columbia ($69,045/year) or NYU ($60,438/year).

Nursing graduates in New York earn competitive salaries. Associate's degree holders average $56,083–$93,338 annually, while bachelor's degree graduates earn $96,572–$97,699/year. Advanced degree holders command significantly higher salaries, ranging from $102,156 to $163,787/year depending on specialization and institution.

Top University Nursing Programs in New York

Elite Private Universities

New York University (NYU) — New York

• Tuition: $60,438/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 9.4%
• Graduation Rate: 87.8%
• Enrollment: 29,430 students
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $163,787/year (Doctoral Degree)

NYU's nursing program ranks among the nation's most competitive and prestigious. With a 9.4% acceptance rate, admission requires exceptional academic credentials and demonstrated commitment to healthcare. The program's 87.8% graduation rate reflects rigorous curriculum standards. NYU graduates pursuing doctoral degrees (PhD, DNP) earn the highest salaries among New York programs at $163,787 annually.

Columbia University — New York

• Tuition: $69,045/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 4.2%
• Graduation Rate: 95.1%
• Enrollment: 8,899 students
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $131,926/year (Doctoral Degree)

Columbia represents the most selective nursing program in New York, with a 4.2% acceptance rate. The program's exceptional 95.1% graduation rate demonstrates strong student support and program quality. Columbia's location in Manhattan provides unparalleled clinical training opportunities at world-class medical centers. Doctoral degree graduates earn $131,926 annually.

Affordable Private Option

Pace University — New York

• Tuition: $51,424/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 77.1%
• Graduation Rate: 61.4%
• Enrollment: 7,725 students
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $152,201/year (Doctoral Degree)

Pace offers a more accessible private alternative with a 77.1% acceptance rate and $51,424 annual tuition—about $9,000 less than NYU. Doctoral degree graduates earn $152,201 annually, making this a solid return on investment for students seeking private education at a lower price point.

Top Public Universities

University at Buffalo (SUNY) — Buffalo

• Tuition: $10,782/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 69.3%
• Graduation Rate: 73.5%
• Enrollment: 20,284 students
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $146,042/year (Doctoral Degree)

University at Buffalo represents exceptional value among public universities. At $10,782/year tuition, students pay roughly one-sixth of NYU's cost while accessing a strong program with 73.5% graduation rate. Doctoral degree graduates earn $146,042 annually—competitive with expensive private schools.

Stony Brook University — Stony Brook

• Tuition: $10,560/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 49.0%
• Graduation Rate: 77.8%
• Enrollment: 17,420 students
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $130,405/year (Graduate Certificate)

Stony Brook combines affordability ($10,560/year) with selective admissions (49.0% acceptance rate) and strong outcomes (77.8% graduation rate). Graduate certificate holders earn $130,405 annually, making this program attractive for students pursuing advanced practice credentials.

Binghamton University — Vestal

• Tuition: $10,363/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 37.7%
• Graduation Rate: 83.2%
• Enrollment: 14,401 students
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $108,777/year (Master's Degree)

Binghamton is the most selective SUNY nursing program (37.7% acceptance) and boasts the highest graduation rate among public universities (83.2%). At $10,363/year, it delivers excellent value with strong academic rigor and student success metrics.

Other Public University Options

CUNY Hunter College — New York

• Tuition: $7,382/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 54.0%
• Graduation Rate: 58.7%
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $122,408/year (Master's Degree)

CUNY Lehman College — Bronx

• Tuition: $7,410/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 55.4%
• Graduation Rate: 51.2%
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $113,139/year (Master's Degree)

College of Staten Island CUNY — Staten Island

• Tuition: $7,490/year (in-state)
• Graduation Rate: 33.7%
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $153,845/year (Master's Degree)

Farmingdale State College — Farmingdale

• Tuition: $8,576/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 69.1%
• Graduation Rate: 55.6%
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $97,699/year (Bachelor's Degree)

CUNY New York City College of Technology — Brooklyn

• Tuition: $7,332/year (in-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 80.7%
• Graduation Rate: 20.4%
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $96,572/year (Bachelor's Degree)

Community College Nursing Programs: The Affordable ADN Path

Community colleges offer the most affordable entry into nursing, with tuition ranging from $5,170 to $6,440 annually. An Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a community college allows you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and work as a registered nurse while earning significantly less debt than a 4-year program.

Most Affordable Programs:

CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College — New York

• Tuition: $5,170/year
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $81,311/year (Associate's Degree)
• Enrollment: 16,850 students

CUNY LaGuardia Community College — Long Island City

• Tuition: $5,218/year
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $83,509/year (Associate's Degree)
• Enrollment: 10,556 students

CUNY Queensborough Community College — Bayside

• Tuition: $5,210/year
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $93,338/year (Associate's Degree)
• Enrollment: 8,803 students

CUNY Kingsborough Community College — Brooklyn

• Tuition: $5,252/year
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $80,980/year (Associate's Degree)
• Enrollment: 7,632 students

Mid-Range Community Colleges:

Suffolk County Community College — Selden

• Tuition: $6,440/year
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $82,572/year (Associate's Degree)
• Enrollment: 14,134 students

Nassau Community College — Garden City

• Tuition: $6,330/year
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $89,190/year (Associate's Degree)
• Enrollment: 10,817 students

Monroe Community College — Rochester

• Tuition: $5,856/year
• Nursing Graduate Earnings: $56,083/year (Associate's Degree)
• Enrollment: 7,737 students

The Community College Advantage

Completing an ADN at a community college costs $10,340–$12,880 total (2 years), compared to $42,000–$138,090 for a 4-year program. Many ADN graduates work as RNs while pursuing a Bachelor's degree part-time through RN-to-BSN programs, spreading costs over additional years. Community college programs also often have more flexible scheduling, serving working adults and career changers.

How to Choose the Right Nursing Program

Consider Your Budget

Under $6,500/year: CUNY community colleges and Monroe Community College offer entry-level nursing education at minimal cost.

$7,300–$10,800/year: CUNY 4-year colleges and SUNY universities provide affordable bachelor's degrees with strong outcomes.

$50,000+/year: Private universities (NYU, Columbia, Pace) justify higher costs through prestige, research opportunities, and strong graduate earnings.

Evaluate Admission Competitiveness

• Highly selective (under 10% acceptance): Columbia (4.2%), NYU (9.4%)
• Selective (37–50% acceptance): Binghamton (37.7%), Stony Brook (49.0%)
• Moderately selective (50–70% acceptance): University at Buffalo (69.3%), Farmingdale (69.1%)
• Open admission (70%+ acceptance): Pace (77.1%), CUNY NYC College of Technology (80.7%)

Review Graduation Rates

Graduation rates indicate program quality and student support. Strong programs show 70%+ rates:

• Columbia: 95.1%
• NYU: 87.8%
• Binghamton: 83.2%
• Stony Brook: 77.8%
• University at Buffalo: 73.5%

Lower graduation rates (below 60%) may reflect challenging programs, limited student support, or student populations with competing obligations. These aren't necessarily poor programs, but they warrant further investigation.

Consider Location and Clinical Opportunities

New York City programs (NYU, Columbia, Pace, Hunter, CUNY schools) provide access to major medical centers and diverse patient populations. Upstate programs (University at Buffalo, Binghamton, Stony Brook) offer strong academics with potentially lower cost of living.

Nursing Job Market in New York

New York faces a significant nursing shortage, creating strong job prospects for graduates. The state's major medical centers, including NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone, actively recruit new graduates. Rural and upstate regions particularly need nurses, with some employers offering loan forgiveness and relocation assistance.

Salary data from our program analysis shows:

• Associate's degree holders: $56,083–$93,338/year
• Bachelor's degree holders: $96,572–$97,699/year
• Master's degree holders: $102,156–$153,845/year
• Doctoral degree holders: $130,405–$163,787/year

New York's cost of living, particularly in NYC, is high. A community college ADN graduate earning $81,311 in Manhattan faces different financial realities than the same graduate in Rochester earning $56,083. Consider total cost of attendance plus regional cost of living when evaluating programs.

Financial Aid for Nursing Students in New York

State-Specific Aid

New York State Grants (TAP)

• Available to New York residents attending approved schools
• Award amounts vary based on income and enrollment status
• Community college students typically receive $500–$5,000 annually

Health Professions Student Loan Program (HPSLP)

• Low-interest loans for nursing and other health profession students
• Forgiveness available for service in underserved areas

Nurse Loan Repayment Program

• Repays up to $6,000 in student loans for nurses working in shortage areas
• Available through various employers and state programs

Federal Aid

All New York nursing programs participate in federal financial aid (FAFSA). Most students qualify for:

• Federal Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year (2024–25)
• Federal Stafford Loans: Up to $5,500–$12,500/year depending on year
• Federal PLUS Loans: Additional borrowing for graduate students and parents

Employer-Sponsored Education

Major New York health systems (NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell Health) offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees. Some programs cover 50–100% of tuition for employees who commit to working post-graduation.

Scholarships

• SUNY Nursing Shortage Scholarship: Up to $6,000/year for SUNY nursing students
• Excelsior Scholarship: Covers tuition for eligible New York residents earning under $125,000/year
• Institutional scholarships: Most nursing programs offer merit-based scholarships for strong applicants

Next Steps: Compare Programs on GradeToGrad

You've now reviewed 20 nursing programs across New York with detailed tuition, admission, and outcome data. The right choice depends on your academic credentials, financial situation, location preferences, and career goals.

To compare programs side-by-side and explore additional details:

Visit GradeToGrad's nursing program search to filter by:

• Tuition cost
• Admission selectivity
• Graduation rates
• Location
• Degree level (ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP)
• Program format (full-time, part-time, online)

You can also read student reviews, connect with current students, and request program information directly through GradeToGrad.

Action Items

1. Take the TEAS or HESI exam if applying to competitive programs—most require standardized nursing entrance exams
2. Build prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology (community colleges offer affordable options)
3. Visit programs you're seriously considering to meet faculty and tour clinical facilities
4. Complete FAFSA by June 30 to maximize financial aid eligibility
5. Apply early to competitive programs—many use rolling admissions and fill spots by spring

New York's nursing programs range from highly selective elite institutions to accessible community colleges, ensuring pathways for students at every academic and financial level. Start with honest self-assessment of your credentials and goals, then match yourself to programs offering the best combination of affordability, selectivity, and outcomes for your situation.

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