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.
This ranking spotlights accredited nursing schools within commuting distance of Queens, NY, balancing affordability, clinical access, and program quality. From public CUNY options to nationally recognized private universities, each entry offers a distinct path to RN licensure.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | $11,000/yr | NYC residents prioritizing value and prestige | |
CUNY Hunter College's Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is the flagship nursing program of the CUNY system, combining a rigorous curriculum with the lowest net price in New York City. Its strong focus on urban and community health, coupled with clinical placements at major NYC Health + Hospitals and other metropolitan facilities, makes it exceptionally practical for Queens-based students. The program is highly competitive, admitting only about 100 students each fall, and boasts a reputation for producing practice-ready graduates.
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| #2 | New York University | New York, NY | $43,000/yr | High-achieving freshmen seeking global clinical exposure | |
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing delivers an elite nursing education in the heart of Manhattan, with a traditional direct-entry BSN and an accelerated second-degree track. Students benefit from early clinical exposure beginning junior year, a 128-credit liberal arts-plus-nursing curriculum, and access to NYU's vast global study abroad network. While tuition is at the top end, the program's reputation and NYC hospital connections create strong career launchpads.
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| #3 | CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, NY | $12,000/yr | Working RNs completing a BSN entirely online | |
CUNY Lehman College offers an accessible pathway into nursing through its CCNE-accredited BSN in the Bronx, with traditional and accelerated tracks for both non-nurses and current RNs. The standout option for Queens residents is the fully online RN-to-BS program, allowing working nurses to advance their credentials without commuting. As a CUNY school, Lehman delivers in-state tuition rates that keep a bachelor's degree within financial reach.
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| #4 | Rutgers University-Newark | Newark, NJ | $23,000/yr | ||
Rutgers University-Newark's School of Nursing provides a traditional four-year BSN that ranks among the top 10 percent nationally. Students can complete the program at either the Newark or New Brunswick campus, both accessible to Queens commuters, with full-time enrollment and a strong foundation in clinical skills. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on practice and prepares graduates thoroughly for the RN licensure exam.
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| #5 | Touro University | New York, NY | $15,000/yr | ||
Touro University brings a cohort-based, CCNE-accredited BSN to its Brooklyn campus, along with an AAS in Nursing at its Manhattan location, both easily reached from Queens. The BSN requires a 2.7 GPA and features a lockstep curriculum with community service, while the associate degree touts a 100% job placement rate and first-time NCLEX pass rates above 90%. Faculty are practicing nurses, and clinical rotations occur at top NYC hospitals.
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| #6 | Helene Fuld College of Nursing | New York, NY | |||
Helene Fuld College of Nursing is a specialized, nursing-only institution with over 70 years of experience educating New York City nurses. Its 28-month Generic BS program is designed for students with no prior nursing background, offering an accelerated path to licensure with three 15-week semesters per year. Clinical placements take place in NYC facilities, and the curriculum integrates 64 nursing credits with a liberal arts foundation.
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| #7 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | $9,000/yr | ||
Farmingdale State College's BSN program is a SUNY campus-based offering known for its consistently high NCLEX pass rates (96-100% for over a decade) and state-of-the-art simulation laboratories. Admission is competitive with limited seats, ensuring focused instruction and personalized support. The program emphasizes practice-ready skills and includes membership in the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society.
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| #8 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | ||
Hofstra University's direct-entry BSN is an eight-semester, CCNE-accredited program that integrates liberal arts and nursing theory from the freshman year. A highlight is the partnership with Northwell Health, providing clinical training at facilities like Cohen's Children's Medical Center and Lenox Hill Hospital. Test-optional admissions, study abroad, and global health service-learning enrich the student experience.
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| #9 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University | Brooklyn, NY | $12,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn delivers a fast-paced 15-month Accelerated BSN for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The intensive, full-time curriculum follows AACN Essentials and builds on prior academic experience, with clinical rotations in Brooklyn hospitals and community agencies. It is an efficient route to RN licensure for career changers.
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| #10 | Kean University | Union, NJ | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Kean University in New Jersey offers an accelerated three-year Prelicensure BSN, completing the same 120 credits in less time through a rigorous in-person format. Small class sizes and a holistic admission process create a supportive environment, while the state-of-the-art simulation lab and provisional NJ Board of Nursing accreditation ensure quality clinical preparation.
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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.
