Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York of 2025

Nurse practitioners provide critical primary and specialty care in the Empire State. If you’re considering a nursing career in New York, graduating from a nurse practitioner (NP) program can mean more job opportunities and higher earning potential.

As a New York nursing student, you’ll qualify for state scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness programs for nurse practitioners. Plus, New York NPs report above-average demand and salaries. Ready to get started? Discover the best NP programs in NYC and New York State.

Attending a reputable NP program will set you up for a successful career. Here’s how to identify the best program to reach your goals.

The best colleges in New York are accredited. To earn licensure in New York, you’ll need to graduate from an accredited NP program.

When you research NP programs in NYC and New York state, make sure to check for programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The cost of NP programs in NY varies widely. In general, New York public colleges charge the lowest tuition rates, while private colleges charge more.

However, the total cost of your degree also depends on your financial aid. As a nurse practitioner student, you’ll qualify for several state-run scholarships and grants to support registered nurses (RNs) as they become NPs in New York.

It’s a good idea to attend an NP program where you plan to work since you’ll strengthen your professional network while meeting clinical requirements. Your nursing school’s relationship with local employers can also help you land a job.

Additionally, if you’re considering online NP programs, keep in mind that you’ll still need to meet clinical requirements in person.

NP programs support students through mentorship opportunities, clinical placements, and career services. Research the academic and career support available through different programs to identify high-quality courses of study.

For example, ask programs about their career counseling and placement records. Do programs arrange clinical placements, or will you have to find your own? And what percentage of students complete the program and earn certification?

Graduate outcomes matter when choosing an NP program. Consider the program’s facilities, resources, and reputation. Ask for graduate placement data. And, if possible, speak with current or former students to learn more about the program.

If you’re currently working as an RN, you can also reach out to nurse practitioners, administrators, and other healthcare professionals in your network to ask for recommendations about NP programs.

New York NPs benefit from a strong salary and career outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners in New York earned an average of $148,410 per year as of May 2024. That’s higher than the national average NP salary of $124,680.

NPs in New York City can expect even higher pay. As of 2024, the average NYC nurse practitioner’s salary exceeded $150,000.

Nurse practitioners also benefit from above-average demand in New York. Nationally, nurse practitioners are among the most in-demand professionals, with O*NET OnLine projecting 46% job growth from 2023-2033. In New York, jobs for NPS are projected to grow 56% from 2020-2030.

The total cost of an NP degree varies widely depending on the program and your financial aid. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), grad students pay around $12,600 per year in tuition and fees at public institutions and nearly $30,000 at private nonprofit institutions.

Students at accredited institutions qualify for scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other forms of financial aid. The New York State Education Department also offers scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness programs for nurse practitioners. Hospitals and medical centers may offer tuition remission or reimbursement programs for RNs pursuing NP degrees, as well.