Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program formats for Staten Island's accredited nursing programs.
New York’s ‘BSN in 10’ law has made a baccalaureate in nursing a non-negotiable career milestone for Staten Island RNs, who must complete the degree within ten years of initial licensure. The borough’s healthcare ecosystem is unusually self-contained, dominated by two major hospital systems and a handful of nursing schools in Queens that feed directly into them, making program choice and clinical placement access intensely local decisions.
Public tuition at the College of Staten Island runs a fraction of private alternatives like Wagner College, but lower price does not always align with the highest first-time NCLEX pass rates. In a market where hiring pipelines are short and BSN credentials are mandatory, where you train often determines where you work.
Staten Island students weighing nursing programs often look to nearby Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses for ADN, BSN, and direct-entry MSN options. The four schools below appear in our ranking because they are within reasonable commuting distance of the island and offer distinct pathways into registered nursing.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | AMG School of Nursing | Brooklyn, NY | $35,000/yr (est. net price) | Working adults needing evening sections | |
AMG School of Nursing in Brooklyn offers a two-year Associate of Science in Nursing designed as a structured cohort. The program includes day or evening sections and clinical placements in acute and long-term care settings, with a strong focus on preparing students for the NCLEX-RN. It is one of the closest ADN options for Staten Island residents who want to commute across the bridge.
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| #2 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | ~$58,000/yr (est.) | Career changers targeting direct-entry MSN | |
Columbia University's Master's Direct Entry (MDE) program is an accelerated 15-month MSN for non-nursing college graduates. Students complete more than 1,000 clinical hours and a six-week one-on-one integration experience in New York or at a global site. The program starts in June and prepares graduates for the NCLEX, with a direct path into DNP or PhD study.
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| #3 | New York University | New York, NY | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | High school graduates pursuing BSN | |
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing offers both a traditional four-year BSN and a 15-month accelerated BSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Clinical placements begin early and draw on New York City's major healthcare facilities, with opportunities to study abroad and pursue a dual BS/MS option. The traditional track requires no prerequisite courses for admission. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #4 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | ~$3,000/yr (est.) | ||
CUNY Hunter College's Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing runs a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing that combines liberal arts with nursing coursework. Admission is competitive, with about 100 students accepted annually based on GPA and an entrance exam. The program uses clinical experiences across New York City to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN.
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| #5 | Belanger School of Nursing | Schenectady, NY | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #6 | St. Joseph's College of Nursing | Syracuse, NY | ~$24,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #7 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #8 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #9 | University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | ~$39,000/yr (est.) | ||
| #10 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) | ||
Aspiring nurses on Staten Island can choose between two main pre-licensure pathways, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), plus an RN-to-BSN bridge for those who already hold an RN license. Each route leads to the NCLEX-RN and registered nurse licensure, but the time commitment, curriculum depth, and long-term career impact differ significantly.
The ADN is typically a two-year program focused on clinical skills and foundational nursing knowledge. St. Paul's School of Nursing on Staten Island offers this pathway, preparing students to sit for the NCLEX-RN. ADN graduates can enter the workforce quickly, often in hospitals, long-term care, or community clinics. However, many employers, especially those seeking Magnet designation, increasingly prefer or require a BSN for advancement. The program is campus-based, and while part-time schedules are not detailed in available materials, students should confirm directly regarding evening or weekend options.
The four-year BSN includes the same licensure-qualifying nursing core plus a broader liberal arts foundation, leadership, research, and public health content. The College of Staten Island (CSI) offers a pre-licensure BSN with a mix of in-person and online sections, adding some flexibility for working students. A growing number of New York employers now expect new hires to hold or be actively enrolled in a BSN program, aligning with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's longstanding goal of an 80% BSN-prepared workforce.
For RNs who already hold an ADN, the RN-to-BSN pathway provides a streamlined bachelor's completion. CSI has a built-in AAS-to-RN-to-BS pipeline that lets CUNY ADN graduates transition seamlessly into the BSN, leveraging transfer credits and articulation agreements within the CUNY system. These programs are frequently offered online or part-time to accommodate working nurses, though exact delivery formats should be verified with the college.
While St. Paul's School of Nursing does not offer a BSN or RN-to-BSN, its ADN remains a quick entry point. CSI's hybrid model (in-person with online components) gives BSN students some scheduling relief. RN-to-BSN tracks across the CUNY network are typically designed for busy professionals, with many courses available online. Transfer credit is generally generous for general education credits earned at regionally accredited institutions. Choosing between an ADN, a pre-licensure BSN, or an RN-to-BSN bridge hinges on your timeline, budget, and long-term career goals, but in today's job market, the BSN is rapidly becoming the standard for acute care roles and leadership advancement.
Sticker price tells only part of the story. In-state tuition at public universities runs tens of thousands less than private options, and net price, what students pay after grants and scholarships, can shrink the gap further. The chart below compares published in-state and out-of-state rates against average net price for five programs accessible to Staten Island students.
The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate is a critical indicator of how well a nursing program prepares students for licensure. Data from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) allows comparison of Staten Island schools with state and national benchmarks. Program-level median earnings one year after graduation are not yet available for these institutions.
| Institution | NCLEX First-Time Pass Rate | Report Year | 1-Year Post-Grad Earnings (Median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Staten Island | 78.33% | 2025 | N/A |
| St. Paul's School of Nursing (Staten Island) | 73.56% | 2025 | N/A |
| New York State Average | 79.4% | 2024-2025 | N/A |
| United States Average | 87% | 2024-2025 | N/A |
Gaining entry to a nursing program on Staten Island is a matter of academic readiness, but by the time you reach clinical rotations, an entirely different set of compliance steps takes center stage. Both layers shape your timeline and your experience, and understanding them early helps you move from applicant to practicing student without surprises.
The College of Staten Island (CSI) four-year BSN program sets clear academic requirements. You need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and a 3.0 GPA in your science prerequisites. Every prerequisite course must be passed with at least a C+, and you get only one attempt at each science course. Note that anatomy and physiology must be taken at the same institution, so plan transfer credits carefully. CSI requires a standardized entrance exam, though the specific test isn’t spelled out publicly; check with the program to confirm whether it’s the TEAS or HESI. Applications go through Nursing CAS, and the program admits once per year for the fall 2026 start.13
Wagner College and St. Paul’s School of Nursing also offer BSN pathways, but their published thresholds can be less granular. Typically, private schools evaluate a combination of GPA, test scores, and a personal essay. Contact each admission office for this year’s minimums and whether an entrance exam is required, as those details can shift.
If you already hold an RN license, the CSI RN-to-BS program has its own set of requirements. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required, along with a 2.5 in your nursing prerequisite coursework. The program admits in both fall and spring, with two deadlines per semester: early and regular. For fall, apply by March 1 (early) or April 1; for spring, it’s October 1 (early) or November 1.2 Rolling admission may be available after those dates if space remains. Wagner College also runs an RN-to-BSN completion track; prospective students should verify current GPA and deadline requirements directly with the school.
Regardless of the program you choose, clinical rotations on Staten Island draw heavily on two anchor health systems: Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) and Staten Island University Hospital, part of Northwell Health. These sites give you hands-on exposure in medical-surgical nursing, critical care, maternal-child health, mental health, and community settings, all within the borough. Because Staten Island is connected to the rest of New York City, many programs also arrange rotations at off-island facilities in Manhattan and Brooklyn, which can offer experiences in Level I trauma centers, transplant units, or pediatric subspecialties that aren’t available locally, broadening your clinical portfolio.
Once you’ve been admitted academically, you’ll face a second checklist focused on patient safety and legal clearance. Expect to complete a criminal background check, drug screening, and a health clearance that includes up-to-date immunizations and titers. CPR certification is usually required, and some schools ask for documentation of health insurance. St. Paul’s and Wagner may also include a pre-clinical orientation or a workshop on professional conduct. These steps aren’t optional; missing one can delay your start in the clinical setting, so begin gathering records as soon as you accept your seat.
Choosing a nursing program is a big decision. Below are answers to the questions prospective students ask most often about nursing schools in Staten Island, from accreditation and cost to RN-to-BSN pathways and NCLEX performance.
