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 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.
This ranking identifies the strongest nursing programs accessible from Staten Island, evaluating schools within a 75-mile radius to capture top options across the New York metropolitan region. Public and private institutions are compared on affordability, graduate outcomes, and program flexibility, whether you're entering nursing for the first time or advancing your credentials, these schools offer multiple paths to RN licensure.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Belanger School of Nursing | Schenectady, NY | $13,000/yr | Aspiring RNs seeking a hospital-based program | |
Belanger School of Nursing in Schenectady, NY, provides a focused Associate in Science Nursing degree that blends rigorous academics with extensive hospital-based clinical training. The 64-credit program can be completed in four semesters, preparing students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, and the school reports a 100% institution-wide retention rate. Graduates benefit from direct employment pipelines at Ellis Medicine and strong long-term earnings, median pay reaches $79,677 ten years after entry.
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| #2 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | RNs seeking an affordable online BSN completion | |
Binghamton University's Decker School of Nursing offers a versatile Bachelor of Science in Nursing with traditional, accelerated, and online RN-to-BSN tracks. The public university combines a liberal arts foundation with hands-on clinical experience, and its 81.6% institution-wide graduation rate reflects strong student outcomes. Net price after aid averages $21,620, and graduates earn a median of $80,596 ten years on, supported by financial aid and scholarships.
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| #3 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | $19,000/yr | Career changers seeking a public accelerated BSN | |
Stony Brook University provides a public nursing education through two BSN pathways: a two-year basic program for non-nursing students and a 12-month accelerated track for degree holders. The school maintains a 90% institution-wide retention rate and a net price of $18,784. Graduates earn a median of $74,502, and the program emphasizes clinical training within university-affiliated hospitals across Long Island and the NYC area.
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| #4 | New York University | New York, NY | $37,000/yr | ||
New York University's Rory Meyers College of Nursing delivers an elite BSN experience in the heart of Manhattan, with a traditional four-year track and a 15-month accelerated option. The private university reports an 87.6% institution-wide graduation rate and a net price of $37,050. Graduates see median earnings of $82,509, and the curriculum blends liberal arts, science prerequisites, and nursing core courses with clinicals starting junior year.
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| #5 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | $3,000/yr | ||
CUNY Hunter College offers a highly affordable public BSN program with a net price of just $2,984 and median graduate debt of $11,000. The four-year, full-time curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and emphasizes holistic health management, with clinical placements across New York City. The institution-wide graduation rate is 56.9%, and median earnings a decade out reach $63,163.
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| #6 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
The University at Buffalo provides a traditional 120-credit BSN that includes over 600 hours of clinical rotations through innovative Dedicated Education Units. As a public research university, it combines a strong biomedical and social science curriculum with evidence-based practice training. Net price averages $20,995, the institution-wide graduation rate is 75.2%, and median graduate earnings are $70,814.
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| #7 | University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | $29,000/yr | ||
The University of Rochester offers accelerated BSN pathways and a Direct Entry MSN for non-nursing bachelor's holders, with full-tuition scholarships available. The institution-wide graduation rate is 85.4%, and net price after aid is $29,278. Nursing students benefit from over 650 clinical training hours and strong outcomes, median earnings reach $79,042 for BSN graduates.
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| #8 | Touro University | New York, NY | $30,000/yr (net price) | ||
Touro University in New York City provides both an AAS and a BSN in nursing, with the BSN requiring 125 credits and a third-party entrance exam. The private institution reports a 72.4% graduation rate and a net price of $29,627. Median earnings for graduates are $53,419, and the lockstep, cohort-based BSN format fosters a tight-knit learning community.
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| #9 | CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, NY | $3,000/yr (net price) | ||
CUNY Lehman College delivers an exceptionally affordable BSN program with a net price of $3,148 and median graduate debt of only $10,950. The CCNE-accredited curriculum includes a campus-based pre-licensure track and a fully online RN-to-BS completion option that can be finished in 12-18 months. The institution-wide graduation rate is 51.3%, and median earnings are $58,013.
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| #10 | Helene Fuld College of Nursing | New York, NY | $47,000/yr (net price) | ||
Helene Fuld College of Nursing in New York City runs a 28-month Generic BSN designed for students without prior nursing education. The program integrates 64 nursing credits with 57 liberal arts credits and features clinical sessions in NYC healthcare facilities. Though institution-wide graduation rate data is not published, graduates report exceptionally high median earnings of $111,027 ten years after entry.
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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.
