Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, and outcomes for every Queens-area BSN program.
Registered nurses in New York earn a median wage of $98,500, but which BSN program in Queens best bridges you to that career? The borough is surrounded by major medical centers like NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and Jamaica Hospital, and it's within commuting distance of dozens more in Manhattan and Long Island. Program costs vary dramatically: CUNY colleges charge under $8,000 in-state while private universities can top $60,000, and accelerated and RN-to-BSN tracks offer flexibility for career-changers.
New York RN licensure requires graduation from an accredited program, and the school you choose directly influences your clinical training placements, a key factor in getting hired locally.
The colleges below span New York State, with several located in New York City or on Long Island for easier commuting from Queens. The list includes public and private institutions, campus-based and online options, and associate, bachelor's, and direct-entry master's pathways. Because Queens residents can attend any CUNY or SUNY school at in-state rates, public options often carry a lower net price than private colleges.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | ~$3,000/yr (est.) | Budget-conscious Queens residents choosing CUNY | |
CUNY Hunter College's Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is a public four-year option in Manhattan with the lowest net price in this ranking, roughly $2,984 after grants for many students. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 57 percent, and the BSN is a full-time campus program admitting about 100 students annually. The school emphasizes urban and community health, with clinical placements across New York City that Queens residents can reach by transit. Because it is part of CUNY, Queens students pay in-state CUNY tuition rather than private college rates.
| |||||
| #2 | New York University | New York, NY | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | Manhattan clinical access for traditional undergrads | |
New York University's Rory Meyers College of Nursing is a private four-year university in Manhattan with strong clinical access throughout New York City. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 88 percent, and the net price runs about $37,050, reflecting private-college pricing. NYU offers both a traditional four-year campus BSN and an accelerated 15-month second-degree BSN, with clinical experiences beginning early in the program. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #3 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | ~$58,000/yr (est.) | Non-nurse grads seeking direct-entry MSN | |
Columbia University's School of Nursing is a private Ivy League institution in Manhattan. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 96 percent, and the net price is about $21,590 for many students, though total costs are higher before aid. Columbia offers a 15-month full-time Master's Direct Entry program for non-nurse college graduates, with more than 1,000 clinical hours and a reported 91.4 percent NCLEX pass rate. The program is available in campus and hybrid formats.
| |||||
| #4 | AMG School of Nursing | Brooklyn, NY | $35,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
AMG School of Nursing is a private for-profit two-year college in Brooklyn, reachable from Queens by subway. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 79 percent, and the net price is about $34,613. The associate degree in nursing is a 66-credit campus program offered in day and evening sections, with clinical placements in acute, sub-acute, and long-term care.
| |||||
| #5 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) | ||
Binghamton University's Decker School of Nursing is a public SUNY four-year campus in Vestal, New York. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 82 percent, and in-state students can see a net price around $21,620. The school offers a traditional BSN, a 12-month accelerated second-degree BSN, and an online RN-BS completion program, giving Queens residents a lower-cost SUNY option if they are willing to relocate or commute for campus tracks. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #6 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | ||
Stony Brook University is a public SUNY four-year research campus on Long Island, within commuting range of Queens. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 76 percent, and the net price for in-state students is about $18,784. The School of Nursing offers a two-year Basic Baccalaureate Program and a 12-month Accelerated Baccalaureate Program, both on campus, with clinical experiences across Long Island and the greater New York region. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #7 | Belanger School of Nursing | Schenectady, NY | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
Belanger School of Nursing is a private nonprofit two-year hospital-based college in Schenectady, New York. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 100 percent, and the net price is about $13,185, the lowest among private options in this list. The associate degree in nursing is a 64-credit campus program delivered in four semesters, with joint enrollment through SUNY Schenectady and a dual-degree option with Siena University. ACEN accredited
| |||||
| #8 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) | ||
University at Buffalo is a public SUNY four-year research university in Buffalo, New York. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 75 percent, and in-state students can see a net price around $20,995. The traditional BSN is a campus-based 120-credit program with more than 600 clinical hours and a fall start, making it a high-value SUNY option for Queens residents willing to relocate. CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #9 | University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | ~$39,000/yr (est.) | ||
University of Rochester is a private four-year research university in Rochester, New York, closely integrated with the University of Rochester Medical Center. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 85 percent, and the net price is about $29,278. The school offers 12-month and 24-month accelerated BSN tracks and a 16-month direct-entry MSN, with hybrid and campus options that appeal to career changers from across the state, including Queens. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
ACEN accredited
| |||||
| #10 | St. Joseph's College of Nursing | Syracuse, NY | ~$24,000/yr (est.) | ||
St. Joseph's College of Nursing is a private nonprofit two-year college in Syracuse, New York. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 100 percent, and as a private school its net price is higher than public options, though institutional aid can lower costs. The associate in applied science degree in nursing is offered on campus in weekday and evening/weekend tracks, with multiple start dates.
| |||||
The cost of a BSN varies widely among schools accessible to Queens residents. This table compares listed tuition, net price after aid, median debt, and 10-year earnings to help you weigh affordability and return on investment.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Median Graduate Debt | 10-Year Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Hunter College | $7,382 | $15,332 | $2,984 | $11,000 | $63,163 |
| CUNY Lehman College | $7,410 | $15,360 | $3,148 | $10,950 | $58,013 |
| Farmingdale State College | $8,626 | $18,536 | $10,867 | $14,718 | $69,781 |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | $8,625 | $21,215 | $14,164 | $17,250 | $64,355 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | $8,892 | $16,837 | $15,016 | $13,750 | $50,445 |
| SUNY College at Plattsburgh | $9,035 | $18,945 | $17,156 | $21,196 | $56,403 |
| Niagara University | $39,345 | $39,345 | $17,248 | $25,475 | $56,196 |
| Daemen University | $35,218 | $35,218 | $18,693 | $22,091 | $61,808 |
| Stony Brook University | $10,931 | $32,741 | $18,784 | $18,228 | $74,502 |
Nursing programs in Queens vary in selectivity. While individual nursing departments rarely publish admission rates, overall institutional acceptance rates offer a rough guide. For instance, York College BSN program admits approximately 70% of undergraduate applicants, whereas St. John's University BSN program reports a more selective 75% acceptance rate. But nursing programs often impose additional criteria beyond general university admission.
Both St. John’s and York College enforce minimum GPA thresholds. York College requires a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses. St. John’s expects a nursing prerequisite GPA of 90% or higher, often equivalent to a 3.7. Common prerequisites include biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
Standardized entrance exams are not universal among Queens BSN programs. York College does not require the TEAS or HESI for its BSN track, nor does St. John’s University, though applicants may submit scores to strengthen their application. However, Queensborough Community College’s AAS program mandates the ATI TEAS1, an important consideration for those planning to bridge to a BSN later.
A program’s share of Pell Grant recipients signals its accessibility to lower-income students. York College, a CUNY school, enrolls a high proportion of Pell-eligible students, reflecting its mission. St. John’s, a private institution, has a lower Pell share, though financial aid packages can offset tuition costs.
While school-specific NCLEX pass rates and graduate earnings for Queens BSN programs are not consistently published at the federal level, the national NCLEX-RN pass rate offers a reliable baseline for new nursing graduates. Individual programs may outperform or underperform this benchmark, so applicants should verify recent pass rates directly with each school.
Nursing education in Queens now offers more flexible pathways than ever, with fully online RN-to-BSN programs enabling working nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree without putting their careers on hold. While traditional on-campus BSN programs remain a cornerstone, remote learning has expanded options for those juggling shift work and family responsibilities.
These programs are ideal for students who prefer face-to-face instruction and a structured, full-time academic schedule. Accelerated second-degree BSN options are not currently available in Queens proper, though some students may consider programs at nearby institutions outside the borough.
For RNs who already hold an associate degree or diploma, online completion programs deliver flexibility that fits around 12-hour shifts. Notable options accessible to Queens residents include:
Both programs allow you to continue working full time while advancing your degree, and because they are entirely online, commuting to a specific campus is not required.
If you’re starting from scratch, Saint Paul’s School of Nursing in Queens offers an associate degree in nursing; after passing the NCLEX-RN, graduates can seamlessly transition into one of the online RN-to-BSN programs mentioned above.4
The path to becoming a registered nurse in New York involves earning a BSN, completing state-specific coursework, and passing the NCLEX-RN. Learn the step-by-step process and timeline for Queens nursing candidates.
Choosing the right nursing program in Queens depends on your career goals, budget, and schedule. Below are answers to common questions about nursing schools in the borough to help you make an informed decision.
Balancing tuition costs and program results with the scheduling demands of nursing school is the real choice Queens applicants face. The tuition comparison above shows net price can differ by tens of thousands, and median debt affects how quickly you’ll feel the payoff from a nurse’s salary. Meanwhile, national NCLEX pass rates set a floor, but individual program performance varies, so confirming a school’s recent results and accreditation status before committing protects your investment. Whether you’re weighing a lower-cost public BSN, a hybrid format, or an accelerated RN-to-BSN, the next step is straightforward: use the cost, outcome, and format details here to shortlist programs that fit your budget and schedule, then reach out directly to confirm seat availability and application deadlines.
