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.
The schools below are drawn from the topnursing.org database and ranked using a composite score that includes affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes. Remember that the graduation rate shown is for the entire institution, not the nursing program alone.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | $23,000/yr | Nationally recognized public nursing program | |
Rutgers School of Nursing offers a rigorous, full-time four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with campuses in Newark and New Brunswick. Ranked in the top 10 percent of undergraduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report, it builds a strong foundation in nursing sciences and clinical skills. Students can enhance their experience through the Honors Program or Pathways Program.
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| #2 | Rutgers University-Newark | Newark, NJ | $23,000/yr | Hispanic-serving public nursing school | |
Rutgers University-Newark provides the same Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing as its New Brunswick counterpart, with full-time study over four years. The program is delivered at the Newark campus and benefits from the Rutgers School of Nursing's top-10 national ranking. It serves a diverse student body in an urban setting.
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| #3 | Ramapo College of New Jersey | Mahwah, NJ | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | Direct-admit program with clinical partnership | |
Ramapo College of New Jersey offers a Generic BSN program in partnership with Valley Hospital. This direct-admission, campus-based program follows ANA Standards and AACN Essentials, with clinical experiences at Valley Hospital and other facilities. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and generalist nursing practice.
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| #4 | New York University | New York, NY | $43,000/yr | ||
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing provides a traditional four-year BS and an accelerated 15-month BS for students with a prior bachelor's degree. The 128-credit traditional track blends liberal arts with a nursing core starting junior year, while the accelerated option offers an intensive, full-time pathway. Both feature New York City clinical placements and a top-ranked university setting.
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| #5 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | $11,000/yr | ||
CUNY Hunter College's Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is the flagship nursing program within the CUNY system. The four-year BS in Nursing combines a liberal arts foundation with professional training, admitting about 100 students annually based on GPA and nursing entrance exam scores. Clinical experiences take place in diverse NYC healthcare settings.
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| #6 | Touro University | New York, NY | $15,000/yr | ||
Touro University offers both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing. The BSN is a lockstep, cohort-based program with 125 credits and a September start, while the AAS can be completed in five semesters with full-time or part-time options and boasts a 100% job placement rate. Both programs prepare students for the NCLEX-RN.
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| #7 | CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, NY | $12,000/yr | ||
CUNY Lehman College provides an upper-division Bachelor of Science in Nursing with both traditional and accelerated tracks, open to non-nurses and RNs. The college also offers a 100% online RN to BS completion program. Both are CCNE-accredited and designed to build a foundation for nursing practice or graduate study.
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| #8 | Helene Fuld College of Nursing | New York, NY | |||
Helene Fuld College of Nursing's Generic BS program is a 28-month, full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing for individuals with no prior nursing education. The curriculum blends 64 nursing credits with 57 liberal arts credits and includes clinical rotations in New York City facilities. With over 70 years of history, the college focuses exclusively on nursing education.
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| #9 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | ||
Hofstra University provides a direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that admits freshmen and partners with Northwell Health for clinical placements. The 127-credit, eight-semester curriculum includes a state-of-the-art simulation center, interprofessional collaboration, and opportunities for study abroad. The program is CCNE accredited and test-optional for admissions.
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| #10 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University | Brooklyn, NY | $12,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The 15-month, full-time program covers 60 credits and includes clinical experiences in Brooklyn. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and enter nursing practice quickly.
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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.
