RN Programs in New York 2026
New York has more than 100 state-approved RN education programs at the associate and baccalaureate levels, offered at public and private institutions statewide. All graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN before practicing as a licensed RN. New York also requires ADN-prepared nurses to earn a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure.
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More than 100 state-approved RN education programs operate across New York, spanning community colleges, private universities, and SUNY and CUNY campuses from Buffalo to Long Island. That volume gives students real choices, but New York also has a law that shapes which degree makes the most sense long-term. Understanding both the program landscape and the requirement makes selection much more straightforward.
Use the links below to jump to degree options, the BSN-in-10 law, accreditation, admission requirements, and salary data for New York RNs.
- Degree options: ADN, BSN, and beyond
- The BSN-in-10 law and what it means for your decision
- State approval vs. national accreditation
- Getting into a New York RN program
- Using NCLEX pass rates to compare programs
- Salary and job outlook for New York RNs
Degree Options: ADN, BSN, and Beyond
The New York Office of the Professions maintains a list of state-approved nursing programs organized by region. Prospective RNs can enroll in two main pre-licensure tracks.
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is typically a two-year program offered at community colleges, including many SUNY campuses. ADN programs are generally less expensive and faster to complete than bachelor’s programs, and many New York hospitals and health systems hire ADN-prepared nurses. The tradeoff is that New York law requires ADN graduates to return for a BSN, which this guide covers in the next section.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year program at a college or university. BSN preparation provides graduates with a broader foundation in nursing research, leadership, and population health. Many New York employers actively prefer BSN-prepared applicants for hiring and advancement. Both ADN and BSN graduates sit for the same licensing exam: the NCLEX-RN, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
Second-degree candidates who already hold a bachelor’s in another field can consider accelerated BSN programs, which compress the curriculum into roughly 12 to 18 months of intensive coursework. Some institutions also offer career-ladder programs that allow students to earn an ADN en route to a BSN within a single program.
The BSN-in-10 Law and What It Means for Your Decision
New York requires most RNs initially licensed on or after June 18, 2020, who entered practice through an associate degree or diploma pathway, to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing within 10 years of licensure, unless exempt under state law. The law doesn’t prevent ADN graduates from working as RNs. It establishes an educational requirement tied to continued registration and licensure eligibility.
This matters when comparing the cost of an ADN versus a BSN at the start. An ADN-prepared nurse in New York is not permanently choosing ADN over BSN. The choice is whether to pay for a BSN upfront or pay for an ADN now and an RN-to-BSN program later. Many employers offer tuition assistance for BSN completion, and numerous online RN-to-BSN programs are available to working nurses. Still, the added time and cost of completing both degrees are factors worth building into the decision from the beginning.
State Approval and National Accreditation
Every RN program in New York must be state-approved by the Office of the Professions within the Department of Education. State approval is the baseline requirement: graduates of unapproved programs cannot sit for the NCLEX-RN. The Office of the Professions has issued warnings about unauthorized programs, including some that market themselves as online options.
National accreditation is a separate and voluntary designation. The two major accrediting bodies for nursing programs are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation signals that a program meets standards beyond the state minimum, and it’s often required for graduate school admission or certain employer preferences. Many New York programs hold both state approval and national accreditation. Prior to January 2021, the Board of Regents accredited all registered nursing education programs in New York. Beginning in 2021, Board of Regents accreditation generally continued only for programs that identify the Board as their sole programmatic accreditor. Programs with ACEN or CCNE accreditation are reviewed on those organizations’ standard cycles.
When evaluating any program, confirm state approval status first. National accreditation is a meaningful signal, but a program that lacks state approval is not a viable path to an RN license in New York.
Getting Into a New York RN Program
New York nursing programs are selectively competitive. Most require applicants to complete prerequisite coursework before entering the nursing major. Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and statistics are common prerequisites. Grades in those courses carry weight, and many programs also require an entrance examination. Testing requirements vary between institutions.
BSN programs generally set more demanding admission criteria than ADN programs, but both routinely turn away otherwise qualified applicants due to limited faculty, clinical placement sites, and classroom capacity. Meeting the stated minimum requirements may not be enough to secure a seat. Some programs maintain waitlists, though these typically serve as alternate lists rather than guaranteed-admission queues.
SUNY and CUNY programs often carry lower tuition than private programs but can have significant waitlists and competitive acceptance rates. Private programs typically have more enrollment capacity and broader clinical placement networks. Faculty qualifications, facilities, and clinical site relationships can vary enough between programs to affect graduate preparation, even within the same degree type.
Using NCLEX Pass Rates to Compare Programs
NCLEX-RN pass rates are public information. The New York Office of the Professions publishes pass rate data by program, which makes direct comparison possible. Pass rates reflect a combination of a program’s admission selectivity, instructional quality, and student retention practices. A program with high pass rates across multiple cohorts is demonstrating consistent preparation. A program with consistently low rates warrants scrutiny regardless of other attributes.
Look at pass rate data across multiple years when comparing programs. A single year can fluctuate based on cohort size and other factors. Multi-year trends are a more reliable signal of program performance.
Pass rate is one factor, not the only one. Location, cost, program length, and clinical placement opportunities all affect the decision. But selecting a program without checking pass rates overlooks the most direct available measure of graduate preparation.
Salary and Job Outlook for New York RNs
Program selection is partly a financial decision. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2025, registered nurses in New York earned a median annual salary of $109,440, well above the national median of $97,550. New York’s combination of a large healthcare system, urban cost-of-living premium, and high nursing demand drives that difference.
The job market supports that investment. Projections Central estimates 25.5% employment growth for registered nurses in New York between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 5,200 job openings per year.
| Metric | New York RNs |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage (May 2025) | $109,440 |
| Total RN Employment | 205,810 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | +25.5% |
| Avg. Annual Job Openings | 5,200 |
For ADN graduates who plan to return for a BSN, many New York health systems offer tuition assistance, and the salary differential for BSN-prepared nurses and those in leadership roles makes completion financially worthwhile beyond what state law requires.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York require a BSN to work as an RN?
No. Both ADN and BSN graduates can sit for the NCLEX-RN and practice as licensed RNs in New York. However, New York law requires nurses who earn an ADN to complete a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure. Nurses who were licensed before the law took effect are exempt.
What is the difference between state approval and national accreditation?
State approval from the New York Office of the Professions is required for a program to operate and for graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. National accreditation through ACEN or CCNE is a voluntary review that signals a program meets standards beyond the state minimum. State approval is the non-negotiable baseline. National accreditation is an additional quality indicator and may be required for graduate school admission or certain employer preferences.
How competitive is admission to New York RN programs?
Admission is selectively competitive. Most programs require prerequisite coursework and grade minimums. Some require entrance exams. Limited clinical placement capacity means many programs turn away qualified applicants. Meeting stated minimums may not be enough to secure a seat. Strong prerequisite grades and early application improve a candidate’s position.
Where can I find NCLEX pass rates for New York nursing programs?
The New York Office of the Professions publishes NCLEX-RN pass rate data by program on its website. Review rates across multiple years when comparing programs. A single-year figure can fluctuate with cohort size, and multi-year trends provide a more accurate picture of program performance.
Are fully online RN programs available in New York?
Some components of RN education can be completed online, but clinical hours must be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities. Fully online pre-licensure programs that bypass in-person clinical requirements are not state-approved in New York. RN-to-BSN completion programs for working nurses, however, are widely available in fully online formats.
Key Takeaways
- More than 100 state-approved RN education programs — New York has one of the largest nursing education systems in the country, with options at public and private institutions across the state.
- BSN-in-10 applies to ADN graduates — New York law requires nurses who earn an associate degree to complete a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure. Factor that into your degree decision from the start.
- State approval is non-negotiable — Graduating from an unapproved program disqualifies a candidate from sitting for the NCLEX-RN. Verify approval status before enrolling.
- NCLEX pass rates are public — The Office of the Professions publishes pass rates by program. Compare rates across multiple years for a fair picture of program performance.
- Strong salary and demand — New York RNs earned a median of $109,440 as of May 2025, with 25.5% projected employment growth through 2032.
Compare approved RN programs in New York by degree type, accreditation, and location to find the right fit for your schedule and career goals.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.