Compare costs, completion times, and online options across every ranked New York RN-to-BSN program.
New York’s BSN-in-10 law, which requires registered nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree within ten years of initial licensure, continues to reshape hiring practices across the state. Three public university systems (SUNY, CUNY, and a few private institutions) now offer 29 accredited RN to BSN tracks at top nursing schools in New York, with online, hybrid, and on-campus formats at tuition rates that start at $7,235 for in-state CUNY options and climb higher for out-of-state students. Employers in major hospital networks increasingly prefer BSN-prepared nurses, a shift reflected in hiring data. Registered nurses in New York earn a mean annual wage of $104,570, well above the national median, and the BSN premium is even steeper in metro areas. For RNs in the state, the BSN is no longer optional; it’s a professional necessity that pays for itself.
The 2026 list of best RN to BSN programs in New York highlights schools with low net cost and strong financial aid records. We weighted each program by net price, institution-wide graduation rate, and median earnings ten years after entry when available.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | $3,000/yr | NYC-based RNs seeking affordable hybrid option | |
CUNY Hunter College offers an RN-to-BS program through its Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, blending fully online nursing courses with in-person general education. A 45-hour clinical placement in New York City community sites gives hands-on experience. With a net price around $2,984 and strong post-graduation earnings, it stands out for career-focused affordability.
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| #2 | CUNY Lehman College | Bronx, NY | $3,000/yr (net price) | Cost-sensitive RNs needing online or campus choice | |
CUNY Lehman College provides an RN to BS Nursing program that can be completed fully online or on campus. The 37.5-credit nursing major, within a 120-credit degree, requires a New York RN license. A net price of about $3,148 and high Pell participation make it one of the most budget-friendly options in the state.
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| #3 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center | New York, NY | $7,000 – $15,000/yr | Online learners eyeing strong salary growth | |
The CUNY Graduate School and University Center, through CUNY School of Professional Studies, delivers a fully online RN to BS in Nursing. The curriculum covers health assessment, nursing research, and global health, and it emphasizes leadership. Graduates see strong median earnings, and the program's high completion rates reflect robust student support.
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| #4 | College of Staten Island CUNY | Staten Island, NY | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
College of Staten Island CUNY offers a hybrid RN to BS in Nursing program with ACEN accreditation. In-person and online sections accommodate full-time and part-time students, and the curriculum emphasizes health promotion, leadership, and community health. A net price of $5,579 and a 92% admission rate make it accessible for many RNs.
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| #5 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | $11,000/yr (net price) | ||
Farmingdale State College provides a CCNE-accredited, fully online RN to BS Completion program. The 121-credit curriculum covers community health, leadership, and evidence-based practice, including a senior leadership practicum. With a net price around $10,867 and strong earnings outcomes, it balances cost and career return.
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| #6 | Empire State University | Saratoga Springs, NY | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Empire State University delivers a 100% online RN to BSN program designed for working nurses. At $295 per credit and 124 total credits, it accepts prior learning credit. A summer 2026 start and an April 10 application deadline offer a clear timeline. The median graduate debt is $18,730, and it prepares for leadership and case management roles.
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| #7 | Upstate Medical University | Syracuse, NY | |||
Upstate Medical University offers a fully online RN to Bachelor of Science program with CCNE accreditation. Asynchronous coursework and part-time or full-time options let students balance work and life. While net price data is unavailable, program graduates report among the highest median earnings in this ranking, at $92,257 ten years after entry.
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| #8 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | $19,000/yr | ||
Stony Brook University's Registered Nurse to Baccalaureate Program combines distance learning with on-site requirements. The 60-credit curriculum covers role development, nursing research, informatics, and population health, culminating in a leadership practicum. A 75.6% graduation rate (institution-wide) and median earnings of $74,502 signal strong student outcomes.
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| #9 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute | Utica, NY | $14,000/yr | ||
SUNY Polytechnic Institute provides a fully online RN to BS Nursing Program with synchronous and asynchronous options. Students can transfer up to 76 credits and complete practicums in hospitals, schools, and community agencies. A net price of $14,164 and median earnings of $64,355 make it a solid mid-range choice with strong faculty mentorship.
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| #10 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | Delhi, NY | $9,000 – $13,000/yr | ||
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi offers an ACEN-accredited online RN-to-BSN program with seven-week terms and five start dates per year. The curriculum includes practicums completed in your own community, and up to 12 credits can be earned for prior RN work experience. A net price of $17,225 and median earnings of $51,629 reflect typical outcomes for regional public colleges.
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RN to BSN tuition in New York varies widely between public and private institutions. The CUNY system offers some of the most affordable per-credit rates, while additional fees and delivery formats can affect the total cost. Always check the latest tuition pages or contact financial aid offices for a personalized estimate.
| Institution | Per-Credit Cost (2025-2026) | Delivery Mode | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY School of Professional Studies | $305 | Online | N/A |
| Lehman College (CUNY) | $305 | N/A | $98.15 student activity fee per term |
Most RN-to-BSN programs in New York require 30 to 40 credits beyond the associate degree, with full-time students typically finishing in 12 to 18 months and part-time students in about 24 months. Several schools, however, advertise expedited pathways that can cut the timeline to a single year.
D'Youville University's online RN-to-BS program can be completed in 12 months of full-time study. The curriculum adds 30 to 33 nursing credits to the existing associate degree, building toward the 120-credit bachelor's. Other SUNY campuses and private colleges have structured their RN-to-BSN programs to allow motivated nurses to finish quickly, often by offering multiple start dates per year and compact, 7- or 8-week course terms. While not every program explicitly markets a 12-month finish, schools like SUNY Delhi and SUNY Polytechnic are frequently cited by nurses for flexible pacing that can approach that timeframe when prior credits align perfectly.
SUNY's system-wide transfer policies are a major accelerator. Many SUNY institutions guarantee that an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing from a New York community college satisfies all lower-division general education requirements, leaving only the nursing core and a handful of upper-division courses. Schools may also award credit for prior certifications, military medical training, or portfolio-assessed competencies. Generous credit acceptance directly reduces the number of terms needed, so applicants who complete all non-nursing coursework beforehand can sometimes finish the BSN portion in as few as two semesters.
A six- or twelve-month pace is intense, especially for nurses working rotating shifts or overnights. Course loads often rise to three or four classes per term, and clinical projects or community health requirements may demand additional hours outside the classroom. Before enrolling in the fastest track, it is worth comparing the weekly time commitment with your work schedule and family obligations. Some nurses opt for a slightly longer, part-time route to maintain manageability, graduate without burnout, and keep their clinical performance strong.
Choosing between a fully online and a hybrid RN to BSN program involves trade-offs in flexibility, clinical requirements, and cost. Online programs like those at CUNY Lehman and SUNY Polytechnic cater to working nurses with asynchronous schedules, while hybrid options at Hunter and Stony Brook blend remote coursework with in-person experiences. The table below compares key factors to help you decide which format aligns with your career and lifestyle needs.
Flexibility for Shift Workers Clinical and Practicum Requirements Networking Opportunities Example Program Costs (Net Price, In-State) Geographic Access
Asynchronous coursework allows studying anytime; ideal for nurses on rotating shifts. Often completed at your workplace or a local site; e.g., Excelsior capstone project, SUNY Delhi virtual simulation. Primarily virtual interaction; limited face-to-face peer and faculty connections. CUNY Lehman College: $3,148 per year; SUNY Polytechnic Institute: $14,164 per year. Enables upstate nurses to earn credentials from NYC-area schools without relocating.
Most New York RNs can cut their BSN tuition significantly by combining employer tuition reimbursement, union education funds, and state scholarship programs. The key is knowing where to look and how to apply, because benefits vary widely across hospitals, contracts, and membership status.
New York's largest healthcare employers, including Northwell Health, NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai Health System, and NYC Health + Hospitals, offer tuition assistance for RN-to-BSN students. However, the specifics, including dollar caps and eligibility criteria, depend on your role, employment status, and collective bargaining agreements. The only way to get accurate, current details is to contact your HR or benefits department directly. Request a written summary of the reimbursement policy and ask about any service commitments or grade requirements. Some hospitals list partnership tuition discounts on dedicated employee education portals, so check those as well.
If you belong to a nursing union, you have an additional, often overlooked, source of tuition support. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East operate robust education funds that can cover a portion of BSN tuition, books, or fees. These funds are typically separate from employer-provided reimbursement, so you can stack them. Visit the NYSNA member portal or call the 1199SEIU benefits office to learn about eligibility, application deadlines, and required documentation. For 1199SEIU members, the Training and Upgrading Fund is particularly active in supporting RN-to-BSN advancement. Attend union benefit meetings or webinars to get the most current program details.
Beyond employer and union aid, New York State offers targeted scholarships for nursing education worth investigating. The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) administers the Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program and the Scholarship for Academic Excellence. While the Nursing Faculty program is geared toward those planning to teach, the Academic Excellence Scholarship is open to high-achieving students across all majors, including nursing. Check HESC's website for application windows and eligibility requirements. Some CUNY and SUNY nursing schools also advertise institutional scholarships on their financial aid pages that align with employer partnerships.
New York RN to BSN programs typically set a minimum GPA between 2.5 and 3.0, though some, like CUNY Hunter College, require a 3.2. Beyond the GPA, all programs require an active, unencumbered New York RN license and a qualifying associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution. Let’s break down the core expectations.
Since applicants are already licensed RNs, RN to BSN programs are generally not highly selective. However, meeting the posted GPA cutoff and submitting complete prerequisite coursework are essential. It is worth noting that institutional acceptance rates, which range from about 49% at Stony Brook to over 92% at the College of Staten Island, reflect the entire college, not the specific RN to BSN cohort. In practice, if you hold a 2.5+ GPA, have a clean license, and have finished the required prerequisites, you stand a very good chance of admission.
Efficient credit transfer is a cornerstone of New York’s public college systems.
Check with an advisor early to map out which of your credits will apply; this can shave months off your timeline.
Registered nurse salaries in New York vary considerably by location. The state’s mean annual wage for RNs is $104,570, well above the national median of $93,600, but within New York, metro areas like New York-Newark-Jersey City pay substantially more than upstate regions. While a BSN often leads to higher earnings and greater job security, the exact premium depends on the employer, specialty, and experience, and the high cost of living in downstate areas can offset some of the wage advantage.
| NY Metro Area | Registered Nurses Employed | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 195,470 | $113,490 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 13,870 | $95,380 |
| Rochester, NY | 12,510 | $95,010 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 10,020 | $92,470 |
What comes after the BSN, and can you fast-track your way to an advanced practice role in New York? The BSN is a launchpad, not a finish line, and many RN to BSN programs in New York are designed with graduate education and registered nurse advancement in mind.
Several schools in the rankings embed a clear path to a master's degree. St. John Fisher University offers an RN to BSN to M.S. Fast-Track built for working nurses who want to earn both credentials without pausing their careers. Molloy University's fully online RN to BS in Nursing explicitly serves as a bridge to graduate nursing programs. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University notes that its program prepares for graduate nursing study, and SUNY Upstate Medical University's RN to Bachelor of Science builds a foundation for advanced practice roles.
Earning a BSN opens doors to nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, and nurse leadership positions, all of which require a graduate degree in New York. Many employers now prefer or incentivize BSN and MSN credentials, and the BSN is the prerequisite for most MSN and DNP tracks.
For nurses who want to move directly from an associate degree to a master's, accelerated BSN-to-DNP or BSN-to-MSN options exist at several New York universities. While these programs typically require a BSN for entry, the RN to BSN to MSN pathways at institutions like St. John Fisher let you complete both degrees in a condensed timeline. Some schools also offer dual admission agreements, guaranteeing a spot in the MSN program once you finish the BSN requirements.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard shows a clear financial upside for nurses who complete their BSN at top New York schools. Ten years after entry, median earnings reach $109,601 for SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University alumni, $92,257 for SUNY Upstate Medical University, and $77,789 for Molloy University. These figures underscore the return on a BSN investment. Advancing to a master's or doctoral level typically pushes earning potential even higher, with nurse practitioners nationally earning a median of $126,260 (BLS, May 2024). In New York, that trajectory is often steeper due to high demand and cost of living.
The 'easiest' RN to BSN program isn't about academic shortcuts, it's the one that best fits your budget, schedule, and career goals. Follow this five-step process to find your ideal match.
Here are answers to common questions about RN to BSN programs in New York, covering costs, time commitments, and career outcomes.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, New York is home to numerous other RN to BSN pathways that cater to different schedules, budgets, and learning preferences. The following list highlights 15 additional schools across the state, from Western New York to the Hudson Valley, each offering distinct advantages for working nurses.
