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.
Queens residents have access to a mix of public and private nursing programs across New York City, Long Island, and upstate. The following ranking considers affordability, quality, and geographic convenience to help you find a program that fits your goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York University | New York, NY | $37,000/yr | Ambitious career changers targeting NYC elite hospitals | |
New York University's Rory Meyers College of Nursing offers a traditional four-year BSN and an accelerated 15-month option, both on its Manhattan campus accessible from Queens via subway. The program immerses students in NYC's top-tier hospitals, with over 1,000 clinical hours and a curriculum emphasizing health assessment, adult nursing, and community health. NYU's strong national reputation and high earnings potential (median $82,509 ten years out) make it a premier choice for career-focused Queens residents. Admission is extremely selective (9% acceptance), targeting high-achieving students.
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| #2 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | $3,000/yr | Cost-conscious Queens residents leveraging CUNY affordability | |
Hunter College's Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing delivers a four-year BSN on its Manhattan campus, with in-state CUNY tuition making it one of the most affordable options for Queens residents ($2,984 net price). The program emphasizes urban health and community clinical placements through partnerships with NYC Health + Hospitals and other city agencies. With a 3.2 GPA admission requirement and CCNE accreditation, it's a strong pipeline to NYC nursing careers and graduate studies.
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| #3 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | $19,000/yr | Commuting students needing Long Island clinical placements | |
Stony Brook University's School of Nursing offers a traditional two-year BSN completion program and a 12-month accelerated track on its Long Island campus, a commutable distance from Queens. The program boasts high NCLEX pass rates and over 600 clinical hours, with placements across Long Island and NYC hospitals. Stony Brook's public SUNY tuition in-state rate ($10,931) and large research hospital affiliation provide a strong value for Queens students seeking a balance of affordability and clinical depth.
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| #4 | Touro University | New York, NY | $30,000/yr (net price) | ||
Touro University's Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses offer a direct-entry BSN and an associate degree in nursing, both easily reachable from Queens. The BSN program requires 125 credits with a lockstep cohort and a third-party entrance exam, while the AAS provides a faster route to RN licensure. Touro's strong ties to NYC's Jewish and immigrant communities create a supportive learning environment. Pell Grant recipients make up 79% of students, reflecting its commitment to access.
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| #5 | CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, NY | $3,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lehman College in the Bronx offers a campus-based BSN and a fully online RN-to-BS program, both at CUNY's low in-state tuition rates ($3,148 net price). The online RN-to-BS can be completed in 12-18 months, making it ideal for working nurses in Queens advancing their credentials without commuting. Lehman's CCNE-accredited curriculum focuses on critical thinking and compassionate patient care, serving a large Hispanic-serving population (HSI designation).
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| #6 | Helene Fuld College of Nursing | New York, NY | $47,000/yr (net price) | ||
Helene Fuld College of Nursing in Manhattan is a specialized nursing school offering a 28-month generic BSN designed for career changers without prior nursing education. The program structures 121 credits around environmental health and NYC community needs, with clinical placements in borough hospitals. It boasts the highest median earnings among the schools listed ($111,027 ten years post-enrollment), though its net price is relatively high ($47,181). With only 17% admission rate, it is competitive and intensely nursing-focused.
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| #7 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Binghamton University's Decker College of Nursing, part of the SUNY system, offers traditional, transfer, and accelerated BSN tracks on its Vestal campus, plus an online RN-to-BS program. In-state tuition for Queens residents ($10,567) and strong NCLEX preparation are key draws, though the upstate location requires relocation or commuting. Decker's recent move to a dedicated health sciences campus enhances simulation and clinical learning. The program's high graduation rate (82% institution-wide) and moderate debt ($18,500 median) provide good return on investment.
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| #8 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
University at Buffalo's School of Nursing provides a traditional BSN with 600+ clinical hours and an emphasis on Dedicated Education Units for real-world practice. Located upstate, it offers SUNY in-state tuition ($10,936) to Queens residents, but distance may deter commuters. The program's 120-credit curriculum integrates biomedical sciences and informatics, preparing students for diverse nursing roles. Admission is moderately selective (74%), and graduates earn a median $70,814 ten years out.
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| #9 | University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | $29,000/yr | ||
University of Rochester's School of Nursing provides multiple accelerated pathways: a 12-month campus-based BSN, a 24-month hybrid BSN, and a 16-month hybrid direct-entry MSN. All are designed for career changers with prior bachelor's degrees, featuring over 650 clinical hours and full-tuition scholarships for some. While Rochester is upstate, the program's integration with URMC and high earnings potential ($79,042) attract Queens students seeking fast-track entry into nursing leadership roles.
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| #10 | Belanger School of Nursing | Schenectady, NY | $13,000/yr | ||
Belanger School of Nursing in Schenectady is a small, hospital-based associate degree program with a perfect 100% institution-wide graduation and retention rate, though its data may reflect a tiny cohort size. The 64-credit ASN prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and offers articulation agreements with New York colleges for BSN transfer. Its low net price ($13,185) and high median earnings ($79,677) make it a surprising value, but its distance from Queens limits convenience.
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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.
