Best New York RN to BSN Programs
Every day, nurses strive to develop solutions through front-line patient care for some of the most important health challenges that plague our population. With dedication and evidence-based practice, nurses bring their 'all' to their rotation every day they're at work. In order to be at their most effective, however, many nurses decide to return to school to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree - called a BSN for short - which positions them for greater practice and more leadership opportunities as well as higher salaries.
2019 - Best Online RN to BSN Programs in New York

As the demand for BSN-educated registered nurses surges, many ADN and diploma-holding RNs are considering going back to school. RN to BSN programs are a quick and easy way for RNs to build upon their prior education and earn a bachelor's degree. Online RN to BSN programs are changing the game by allowing nurses to continue working while they complete their studies. Choosing the perfect program is made even simpler by browsing our top New York online RN to BSN program rankings below. Find the right online program and take the next step in your nursing career today.
For more information on our top nursing school rankings, visit our Methodology Page (https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/).
Bronx, NY

Designed to serve working registered nurses with competing home and work responsibilities, Lehman College’s RN-to-BSN offering can be completed 100% online. With a focus on critical thinking, health assessments and serving culturally diverse patient populations, the CUNY nursing school readies graduates for nursing jobs of the future. Students can earn their BSN via full or part-time study at times that are suitable to their schedules.
- RN to BSN Online/Hybrid
Tuition & Fees:
- $$$$$
Quick Facts:
- Public 4-Year
- Diverse student population
- Budget-friendly CUNY school
Plattsburgh, NY

Nursing leaders and faculty at Plattsburgh State University of New York were early adopters of distance learning due to the university’s remote region. SUNY Plattsburgh’s established RN-to-BSN online program has a record of success preparing professional nurses for challenges in their careers. The program’s well-honed applied learning experiences give students an edge in their job search upon graduation. Moreover, program coordinators work with students to find suitable clinicals at locations that are convenient to them.
- RN to BSN Online Campus
Tuition & Fees:
- $$$$$
Quick Facts:
- Public 4-Year
- Affordable State University
- School is a leader in distance education
Delhi, NY

Built for working RNs who thought they were too busy to return to school, the online RN-to-BSN program at SUNY Delhi enables students to finish their degrees while working and caring for a family. SUNY or CUNY graduates can readily transfer 60-80 credits to the bridge program in order to launch their back to school pathway. Coursework for the career-focused program is offered online, however, students must carry out their practicums at on-site locations.
- RN to BSN Online/Hybrid
Tuition & Fees:
- $$$$$
Quick Facts
- Public 4-Year
- Military friendly
- Part-time or full-time options available
Brockport, NY

Registered nurses who want to become managers or advanced practice nursing professionals will gain contemporary, sought-after skills in SUNY Brockport’s RN-to-BSN online program. With an eye toward flexible scheduling and academic rigor, students can prepare to become nursing leaders or to enter graduate-level nurse practitioner programs. The online bridge program requires practicums to be carried out at physical locations that are practical for working nurses.
- RN to BSN Online Campus
Tuition & Fees:
- $$$$$
Quick Facts:
- Public 4-Year
- Accelerated pace
- 3 enrollment periods annually
New York, NY

Hunter College, home of the flagship nursing school of the CUNY system of universities, offers a top-ranked, RN-to-BSN online program for working RNs. Located in central Manhattan, Hunter College’s RN-to-BSN online program gives students the skills they need to perform health assessments and evaluations as well as to care for diverse populations of patients. The primarily online RN-to-BSN program requires one on-site practicum. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 to be admitted to the competitive program.
- RN to BSN Online/Hybrid
Tuition & Fees:
- $$$$$
Quick Facts:
- Public 4-Year
- Recognized by NYC employers
- Historic CUNY school
Admissions Requirements for New York RN to BSN Programs
New York RNs who decide to pursue their BSN degree are forward-thinking individuals who are committed to their ongoing professional development - both for career advancement and to advance the practice of patient care across the state and beyond. While each institution varies in how they select the best candidates for the RN to BSN stream, listed here are many of the criteria that you might encounter.
- Present evidence of an ADN from a regionally accredited college program
- Articulate a maximum of 24 nursing credits for transferral
- Have completed up to 36 credits in liberal arts for transferral
- Submit a transcript from each post-secondary institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher
- Applicants must have completed a minimum of 36 credits in liberal arts & sciences
- Possess a valid and up to date RN license for New York State
- Submit evidence of current liability and health insurance
- Submit evidence of up to date CPR credentials
RN to BSN Classes & Courses
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs offered throughout New York State provide a robust theoretical and practical framework for graduate and doctoral options. Colleges such as Hunter-CUNY's Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing offers courses like the following in order to broaden undergraduates' understanding of leadership in this culturally diverse era:
- NURS 379: Nursing and Societal Forces
- NURS 380: Nursing Research & Theory
- NURS 384: Nursing Culturally Diverse Families
Online RN to BSN Programs in New York
New York State Board of Nursing and universities are looking toward a future in which every nurse will have a BSN degree as a minimum requirement to practice. This means that there has been an explosion in Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (CCNE) accredited online RN to BSN offerings for nurses who already have their Associate's (ADN) degree and who are looking to upgrade quickly and flexibly while they continue to gain practical experience in the workplace.
Featured Online School
D'Youville College School of Nursing in Buffalo, New York is home to a fully online RN to BSN program. Focused on primary and preventative care, the program's focus is on elevating the nursing profession through working as leaders within the community and amongst vulnerable populations.
Admissions and Program Length
At Mercy College, RNs may earn their BSN degree fully online or through a hybrid format. Generally, it takes students a maximum of two years to earn the degree if enrolled full-time and three years if enrolled part-time. Generally, RNs will be able to transfer a block of credits from their ADN credentials as equivalent to lower division BSN coursework. Evaluated on a case-by-case basis, graduates require a total of 120 new or transfer credits to be eligible for graduation.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Plattsburgh University is another great option for RNs who are looking for an online-only method of course delivery. With a strong on-campus nursing program, distance RNs have no problem getting the help and support that they need from faculty in order to be successful students. Plattsburgh students can expect to incur tuition and fees that total about $4,100 per semester - these costs are in addition to equipment and textbook expenses.
Does an RN to BSN Increase My Salary?
There may come a day globally where the entry level for RN licensure is that of a bachelor's degree or BSN. In fact, many hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices are already expressing a preference through salary for those nurses who have a degree after their name. With the scope of the role less focused on bedside care and more focused on primary care and prevention, BSN nurses may more commonly hold jobs such as surgical nurse, nursing instructor, or palliative care nurse.
RN to BSN Salary Comparison in New York
Because ADN grads and BSN grads are both technically RNs, there is scant data to collect that shows salary differences between the populations without a direct survey. However, we know that ADNs are often hired at base salary (in New York this is about $52,000) whereas BSNs have leverage in negotiating a higher wage from the outset - perhaps closer to the $63,000 level that marks what 25% of nurses in the state earn. With further degrees and responsibility, NYS nurses can earn over $110,000 annually and BSN nurses are well positioned to start down this path.
2019 List of RN to BSN Programs in New York
Preference is being given to nurses that have achieved their BSN degree or greater, and the preference is being noticed by prospective nursing students. Currently, New York has approximately 50 RN to BSN programs being offered around the state. If you are a graduate from one of these programs you could be a contender in more highly pursued job opportunities, and increased wage offers. Roles in nursing that a BSN graduate would be qualified to apply for include: government organizations, specialty departments, public health sector, etc. BSNs in such roles are making approximately $90,000 per year. Be the preferred candidate by acquiring your BSN degree.
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
- Brooklyn RN to BSN Programs
- Albany RN to BSN Programs
- Rochester RN to BSN Programs
- Buffalo RN to BSN Programs
- Syracuse RN to BSN Programs
Program | Website |
---|---|
Adelphi University CampusCollege of Nursing and Public Health One South Avenue Garden City, NY 11530-0701 (516) 877-4511 | nursing.adelphi.edu |
Alfred State College CampusDepartment of Nursing 10 Upper College Dr Alfred, NY 14802 | catalog.alfredstate.edu |
College of New Rochelle Online CampusSchool of Nursing & Healthcare Professions 29 Castle Place New Rochelle, NY 10805 (914) 654-5441 | cnr.edu |
College of Staten Island CampusDepartment of Nursing 2800 Victory Blvd Staten Island, NY 10314 | csi.cuny.edu |
CUNY School of Professional Studies OnlineRN to BS in Nursing program 119 West 31st Street New York, NY 10001 (212) 652-2066 | sps.cuny.edu |
D'Youville College OnlineSchool of Nursing 320 Porter Avenue Buffalo, NY 14201 (716) 829-7856 | dyc.edu |
Daemen College CampusNursing Department 4380 Main St Amherst, NY 14226 (716) 839-8387 | daemen.edu |
Dominican College of Blauvelt CampusDivision of Nursing 470 Western Highway Orangeburg, NY 10962 (845) 848-6051 | dc.edu |
Excelsior College CampusSchool of Nursing 7 Columbia Cir Albany, NY 12203-5159 | excelsior.edu |
Farmingdale State University CampusNursing Department 2350 Broadhollow Rd Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021 | farmingdale.edu |
Helene Fuld College of Nursing CampusUpper Division Bachelor of Science for Registered Nurses 24 East 120th Street New York, NY 10035 (212) 616-7265 | helenefuld.edu |
Hunter College OnlineHunter-Bellevue School of Nursing 695 Park Ave New York, NY 10065 | hunter.cuny.edu |
Le Moyne College CampusDepartment of Nursing 1419 Salt Springs Road Syracuse, NY 13214 (315) 445-5436 | lemoyne.edu |
Lehman College OnlineDepartment of Nursing 250 Bedford Park Blvd W Bronx, NY 10468 | lehman.edu |
Long Island University - LIU Post CampusDepartment of Nursing 720 Northern Blvd Brookville, NY 11548 | liu.edu |
Mercy College Online CampusDepartment of Nursing 555 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 (914) 674-7875 | mercy.edu |
Molloy College CampusDivision of Nursing 1000 Hempstead Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11771-5002 (516) 323-3650 | molloy.edu |
Monroe College CampusSchool of Nursing 2501 Jerome Ave Bronx, NY 10468 | monroecollege.edu |
Mount Sinai Beth Israel CampusPhillips School of Nursing 10 Nathan D Perlman Pl New York, NY 10003 | mountsinai.org |
Nazareth College CampusDepartment of Nursing 4245 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14618-3790 (585) 389-2759 | www2.naz.edu |
New York City College of Technology CampusDepartment of Nursing 300 Jay St Brooklyn, NY 11201 | citytech.cuny.edu |
Niagara University CampusDepartment of Nursing 5795 Lewiston Rd Niagara University, NY 14109 (716) 286-8155 | niagara.edu |
Pace University OnlineLienhard School of Nursing 1 Pace Plaza New York, NY 10038 (914) 773-3341 | pace.edu |
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine OnlineNursing Program 110 William Street 19th Floor New York, NY 10038 | pacificcollege.edu |
Plattsburgh State University of New York Online CampusDepartment of Nursing 101 Broad Street Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 564-3124 | plattsburgh.edu |
Roberts Wesleyan College Online CampusSchool of Nursing 2301 Westside Drive Rochester, NY 14624 (585) 594-6668 | roberts.edu |
Saint Francis College CampusSchool of Health Sciences 180 Remsen St Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201-9902 | sfc.edu |
Saint Joseph's College of Nursing CampusCollege of Nursing 206 Prospect Ave. Syracuse, NY 13202 | sjhcon.edu |
St. John Fisher College Online3690 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14618 (585) 385-8000 | sjfc.edu |
Stony Brook University School of Nursing 101 Nicolls Road Stony Brook, NY 11794 (631) 689-8333 | nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu |
SUNY Canton OnlineSchool of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice 34 Cornell Dr Canton, NY 13617 | canton.edu |
SUNY Delhi OnlineSchool of Nursing 454 Delhi Dr Delhi, NY 13753 | delhi.edu |
SUNY Downstate Medical Center CampusCollege of Nursing 450 Clarkson Ave Brooklyn, NY 11203 | downstate.edu |
SUNY Empire State College Online CampusSchool of Nursing 2 Union Ave Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | esc.edu |
SUNY Polytechnic Institute CampusNursing and Health Professions Department 100 Seymour Rd Utica, NY 13502 | sunypoly.edu |
SUNY Upstate Medical University CampusCollege of Nursing 750 E Adams St Syracuse, NY 13210 | upstate.edu |
The College at Brockport Online CampusDepartment of Nursing 350 New Campus Drive Brockport, NY 14420 (585) 395-5319 | brockport.edu |
The Sage Colleges CampusNursing Program 65 1st Street Troy, NY 12180 (518) 244-2384 | sage.edu |
Touro College-New York CampusSchool of Health Sciences 1700 Union Blvd Bay Shore, NY 11706 | shs.touro.edu |
University at Buffalo OnlineSchool of Nursing 3435 Main St, Wende Hall Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 829-2537 | nursing.buffalo.edu |
University of Rochester CampusSchool of Nursing 601 Elmwood Avenue Rochester, NY 14642 (585) 273-5639 | son.rochester.edu |
Utica College OnlineDepartment of Nursing 1600 Burrstone Road Utica, NY 13502-4892 (315) 792-3705 | programs.online.utica.edu |
York College of CUNY CampusDepartment of Nursing 94-20 Guy R Brewer Blvd Jamaica, NY 11451 | york.cuny.edu |
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