The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York of 2024
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New York is home to some of the top nurse practitioner (NP) programs in the United States. This guide to the best NP programs in New York can help you identify the right program to advance your nursing career. Explore the top nursing schools in New York and how to get a New York NP license.
How to Choose a Nursing Program in New York
The right nursing school in New York depends on the location, tuition and financial aid, program format (online, hybrid, on-campus), clinical placement options, acceptance rate, and board certification pass rates.
The board certification examination measures a graduate's ability to practice safely and effectively as an NP. A program's board pass rate effectively measures the school's teaching quality, especially when combined with the graduation rate. If the pass rate is high, but the graduation rate is low, this may suggest a higher dropout rate. Similarly, if the acceptance rate is very high and the graduation rate is low, it may indicate that the admissions staff are looking to fill seats rather than selecting students who will succeed.
Featured Online MSN Programs
The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York
The right nursing school in New York for you depends on your personal preferences and other data. This list identifies top nursing programs in New York based on cost, academic reputation, and other measurable factors. All nursing programs on this page are accredited, one of the top measures of quality.
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Wagner College
Staten Island, NY - 4 years
- Campus
Wagner College offers a 45-credit family nurse practitioner program in Staten Island, New York City. Courses include dynamics of family health nursing, management of common conditions, and advanced research. Students complete 600 hours of supervised clinical experience. The program culminates with a master's level scholarly project and presentation.
Admission requires a minimum 3.2 undergraduate GPA. Applicants must provide documentation of current clinical practice, a copy of an active New York RN license, two letters of recommendation, and a CV or resume.
Program Snapshot
- Cost per Credit: $1,275 per credit
- Program Length: Five semesters (full time), seven semesters (part time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 45 credits
- On-Campus Requirement: Yes
- School Status: Private
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 85.9%
- Program Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The 45-credit family nurse practitioner master's program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute prepares students for primary care practice or doctoral study and research. The hybrid format combines online courses — including synchronous participation — with in-person sessions on the Utica campus. FNP students must complete 720 clinical practice hours in New York State.
Applicants need a current New York RN license, a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, acceptable scores on prerequisite courses, and at least 2,000 hours of work experience as an RN.
Program Snapshot
- Cost per Credit: $5,655 per semester (full time, resident); $6,785 per semester (full time, nonresident)
- Program Length: Four semesters (full time); Eight semesters (part time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 45 credits
- On-Campus Requirement: Yes
- School Status: Public
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SUNY Brockport
Brockport, NY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
SUNY Brockport offers a 42-credit family nurse practitioner master's degree that conducts classes primarily online, with periodic on-campus sessions on Fridays and Saturdays. Course topics include health policy, use of information systems, and advanced diagnostics. Students complete 750 clinical hours after identifying their clinical site with the help of a coordinator.
Admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in all previous coursework, a current New York RN license, two letters of recommendation, and a written personal statement. Recent RN work experience is preferred.
Program Snapshot
- Cost per Credit: $5,655 per semester (full time, resident); $6,785 per credit (full time, nonresident)
- Program Length: Four semesters (full time); Six semesters (part time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 42 credits
- On-Campus Requirement: Yes
- School Status: Public
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 92.7%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Pace University
New York, NY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Pace University offers a 42-credit family nurse practitioner master's degree at its NYC and Westchester campuses. The program requires online and on-campus classes, lab simulations, and 550 clinical practicum hours, which incorporate an evidence-based capstone project. Courses cover advanced physical assessment, scholarly inquiry, and nursing leadership.
Admission requires a New York RN license, a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, completion of a statistics course, an essay, resume, and two recommendations. Interviews may be required.
Program Snapshot
- Cost per Credit: $1,460 per credit
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 42 credits
- On-Campus Requirement: Yes
- School Status: Private
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 84.2%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Hofstra University's 51-credit nursing master's offers an FNP track. Lab simulations and 840 direct care hours offer training in the care of infants, children, adolescents, adults, and gerontological patients. To graduate, students must pass a cumulative exam and design an evidence-based practice initiative in support of their patients or healthcare organization.
Applicants need a New York RN license, a minimum 3.0 GPA, two years of clinical experience, and verification of prerequisites. The school requires an admissions interview, resume, essay, and three letters of recommendation.
Program Snapshot
- Cost per Credit: $1,630 per credit
- Program Length: Eight semesters (part time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 51 credits
- On-Campus Requirement: Yes
- School Status: Private
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
College of Mount Saint Vincent
Bronx, NY - 4 years
- Campus
The College of Mount Saint Vincent's 42-credit family nurse practitioner master's degree combines theory, experience, critical thinking, and scholarly inquiry. Students participate in on-campus lectures and state-of-the-art laboratory simulations in Riverdale. Students can complete the 600 required clinical hours at sites across the tri-state area.
Applicants need a New York RN license, 3.2 undergraduate GPA, acceptable scores in prerequisite courses, and at least two years of full-time RN experience. Required documents include a resume, proctored writing sample, and two letters of recommendation.
Program Snapshot
- Cost per Credit: $980 per credit
- Program Length: Seven semesters (part time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 42 credits
- On-Campus Requirement: Yes
- School Status: Private
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 81.1%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Career Outlook for Nurses in New York
New York salaries for registered nurses (RNs) and NPs are relatively high, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2021, New York registered nurses earned a median of $93,320, compared to a national median of $82,750. New York nurse practitioners earned a median of $133,940, compared to a national median of $118,040.
However, the cost of living is also higher, especially in the New York City metropolitan area. In other areas of New York state, the cost of living is more moderate, but salaries may be lower.
Salaries for Nurses in New York
Earning a master of science in nursing (MSN) and becoming a nurse practitioner can be an effective strategy for increasing your salary. An NP earns approximately three times the annual salary of a certified nursing assistant, more than twice the salary of a licensed practical nurse, and approximately 30% more than an RN.
How to Become a Nurse in New York
To become a nurse in New York, you must meet the New York State Education Department requirements for education and examination scores, pay the required fees, and apply online.
Nurse Practitioner Requirements
You must have or apply for a New York RN license, graduate from an accredited NP program, pass the board certification examination, and pay an initial $85 application fee to become a licensed NP in New York. If you did not graduate from an NP nursing school in New York, you must also pass a course on New York state prescription and record-keeping regulations. Approved providers are listed on the state's education department's website.
Everything Else You Need to Know About Nursing in New York
What is the salary of a nurse practitioner in New York?
Nurse practitioners in New York earned a median annual salary of more than $130,000 in 2021 &mdash higher the national median of $118,040 for all NPs. But, the cost of living is higher in New York than other states.
What degree do you need to be a nurse practitioner in New York?
You need a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) to be a nurse practitioner in New York. MSNs and DNP programs specialize in a particular population or type of care, and nurses are licensed only to practice in that specialty.
Do nurse practitioners in New York need a collaborating physician?
As of 2022, New York nurse practitioners have full practice authority, meaning they do not need a collaborating or supervising physician. This includes the authority to prescribe medications.
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in New York?
The length of an NP nursing program in New York depends on your background. If you have a BSN, you can typically finish an MSN program within approximately two years. If you have an ADN or a bachelor's in another field (plus prerequisite courses), you may be eligible for a bridge or accelerated program that takes approximately three years.
