Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York of 2024
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Reviewer
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Reviewer
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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.
Featured Online NP Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best NP Programs in New York and NYC
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.
How to Choose a High-Quality NP Program in New York
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.
Accreditation
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).
Cost
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.
Location
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.
Academic Support and Career Services
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?
Program Reputation and Career Outcomes
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.
NP Salary and Career Outlook in New York
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 $142,830 per year in May 2023. That’s higher than the national average NP salary of $128,490.
NPs in New York City can expect even higher pay. In 2023, 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 45% job growth from 2022-2032. In New York, jobs for NPS are projected to grow 56% from 2020-2030.
Average Annual NP Salary by Location
New York
$142,830
NYC-Metro Area
$150,500
How Much Do NP Programs Cost in New York?
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.
Average Cost of Graduate School
Public Institution
$12,596
Private Institution (Nonprofit)
$29,931
Featured Online NP Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York
How long is a nurse practitioner program?
For nurses with a BSN, NP programs take 2-4 years to complete. You can complete an MSN program in 2-3 years or a DNP program in 3-4 years.
During an NP program, you'll take classes in quality improvement, advanced health assessment, and nursing leadership. You'll also complete specialized courses for your NP focus area and meet clinical requirements.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently in New York?
According to New York State Education Law, New York NPs practice independently. They do not need physician supervision to diagnose medical conditions and prescribe medication. However, NPs must have a written practice agreement with a physician until they have more than 3,600 hours of NP experience.
New York law gives nurse practitioners a great deal of autonomy. NPs must hold certification from the New York State Education Department.
Can an NP be a medical director in New York?
Yes, an NP can be a medical director in New York. To become a medical director, NPs must complete an accredited NP program and hold an NP license in New York. These careers also typically require several years of experience as a nurse practitioner.
How much do nurse practitioners make in New York?
The average nurse practitioner salary in New York exceeds $142,000, according to May 2023 BLS data.
As NPs gain experience, their earning potential increases. For example, New York NPs with under five years of experience earned around $117,000, according to May 2024 Payscale data. In contrast, NPs with more than 10 years of experience reported salaries of over $135,000.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 19, 2024.
