Nursing Programs in Albany, NY

Last Updated On Jul 30, 2026

Expert Verified: Jessica Guzzetti, MBA, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN

3 Min Read

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Albany

Rankings help prospective students identify programs that align with their career goals by comparing key outcomes. At Registerednursing.org, we rank the Best Nursing Schools in Albany using NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criterion. Our methodology is transparent; learn more at https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Pass rates remained stable across the Albany area, with a slight upward trend from 2023 to 2024. Total student cohorts slightly decreased, yet performance held steady.

2023: 89.66% average pass rate (329 students)
2024: 89.77% average pass rate (303 students)

Top Performing Schools

Belanger School of Nursing and Hudson Valley Community College consistently outperform the regional average, with pass rates above 94%. These schools represent strong options for prospective nursing students in the Albany region.

Belanger School of Nursing: 94.26% average pass rate (104 students, 2 years of data)
Hudson Valley Community College: 94.05% average pass rate (168 students, 2 years of data)
Columbia-Greene Community College: 89.10% average pass rate (101 students, 2 years of data)

Pass Rate by Program Size

Smaller programs (<50 students annually) demonstrate notably higher average pass rates compared to medium-sized programs. This suggests that more personalized instruction may benefit student outcomes.

Small (<50 students): 96.78% average pass rate (62 students)
Medium (50-100 students): 88.18% average pass rate (220 students)

Consistently High Performing Schools

Two schools maintained an average pass rate above 90% across at least two years of data. These institutions show reliable performance over time.

Belanger School of Nursing: 94.26% average pass rate (104 students, 2 years)
Hudson Valley Community College: 94.05% average pass rate (168 students, 2 years)

Maria College of Albany

Albany, NY - Private 4-year - mariacollege.edu

Bachelor's - RN-BS Degree in Nursing Completion

Online Learning - Visit Website

Maria College's online RN-BS Degree Completion program is built for licensed registered nurses seeking to elevate their practice. The curriculum balances nursing theory, evidence-based research, and leadership with courses in healthcare ethics, medical sociology, and informatics. You'll complete 90 clinical hours in community health and leadership settings near your home. The fully asynchronous format lets you learn on your schedule, with options to go full-time in as few as four semesters or spread coursework over seven semesters part-time. As a Sigma Theta Tau chapter member and ACEN-accredited program, it prepares graduates for roles in community health, nursing leadership, and beyond.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
Full-time and part-time options
Asynchronous online classes
2.5 GPA minimum
90 clinical hours
Prerequisite courses required
Designed for licensed RNs
Clinical placements near home
Sigma Theta Tau honor society
7-week summer terms

Belanger School of Nursing

Schenectady, NY - Private 2-year - ellismedicine.org

Associate - Associate in Science degree in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Belanger School of Nursing offers a comprehensive Associate in Science Nursing degree that prepares students for a dynamic healthcare career. This rigorous 64-credit program, completed in four semesters, focuses on clinical practice and hospitalized patient care. Students receive a strong academic foundation that enables them to take the NCLEX-RN exam for Registered Nurse licensure in New York. The program features articulation agreements with multiple colleges, allowing graduates to seamlessly pursue bachelor's degrees. Graduates benefit from high employment opportunities, with many beginning their nursing careers directly at Ellis Medicine.

64-credit nursing degree
Four-semester program length
NCLEX-RN exam preparation
Hospital-based clinical training
Multiple college transfer agreements
Registered Nurse licensure eligible
Clinical focus on patient care

Hudson Valley Community College

Troy, NY - Public 2-Year - hvcc.edu

Associate - Nursing A.A.S.

Campus Based - Visit Website

Hudson Valley Community College's Nursing A.A.S. program prepares students for a rewarding career as a registered nurse. The curriculum blends classroom theory with hands-on clinical experiences, covering medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health, and community health. Students gain skills in patient care, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and can work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. The program offers both full-time and part-time paths, with a competitive selective admission process requiring the HESI A-2 exam. Distinctive features include a Weekend Option for flexible scheduling and a One-Year Advanced Option for accelerated study. Clinical partnerships with the region's largest hospitals provide real-world training. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), ensuring high educational standards. With experienced faculty and state-of-the-art simulation labs, this associate degree program is a strong foundation for a nursing career or further study at the baccalaureate level.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
2 concentration options
Entrance exam required
Exams: HESI
2-Year program
Full-time and part-time options
Prepares for NCLEX
Eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure
ACEN-accredited program
Weekend and One-Year Advanced Options

Associate - Weekend Option

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Nursing A.A.S. program at Hudson Valley Community College prepares students for careers as registered nurses in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and doctor's offices. The curriculum combines lecture, discussion, and clinical learning experiences, with state-of-the-art simulation resources. Students gain hands-on training through partnerships with the region's largest healthcare institutions. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. It offers flexible options including a Weekend Option for qualified students, allowing completion of the A.A.S. through weekend courses. A One-Year Advanced Option enables students to earn both an A.A.S. and start a BSN within one year. The program also provides transfer pathways to baccalaureate programs. Experienced faculty bring real-world experience into the classroom, labs, and clinical placements.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
Entrance exam required
Exams: HESI
Prepares for NCLEX
Courses on weekends only
Qualified students eligible

Associate - One-Year Advanced Option

Campus Based - Visit Website

The One-Year Advanced Option at Hudson Valley Community College offers an accelerated pathway for eligible students to earn a Nursing A.A.S. degree and begin a BSN in just one year. This intense, daytime-only program starts in the summer, condensing foundational clinical courses to fast-track your education. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on patient care and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. With a partnership with Empire State College, you can seamlessly transition into a bachelor's program. The full-time schedule involves Monday through Friday, eight hours per day, providing immersive learning. Graduates are ready for roles as registered nurses in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. This option is ideal for motivated students seeking a quick entry into nursing with a clear path to advanced education.

1-Year program
Complete in one year of study
Starts summer
Pathway to BSN through Empire State College
Daytime only schedule
Condensed core clinical courses
Monday-Friday, eight hours per day

Show 2 More Programs ˅

St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing

Albany, NY - Private 2-year - sphp.com

Associate - Associates in Science (A.S.) degree in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing provides a comprehensive Associates in Science degree in Nursing, preparing students for a dynamic healthcare career. Located near St. Peter's Hospital, the program offers immersive clinical experiences and expert faculty guidance. Students benefit from small classes, state-of-the-art simulation laboratories, and a near-perfect NCLEX pass rate, ensuring a strong foundation for professional nursing success.

Associates in Science Nursing Degree
Near-perfect NCLEX pass rate
Small class sizes
Located near St. Peter's Hospital
State-of-the-art simulation lab
Accredited by ACEN
Diverse clinical settings
Expert faculty mentorship

Columbia-Greene Community College

Hudson, NY - Public 2-Year - columbiagreene.edu

Associate - Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Columbia-Greene Community College’s Associate of Science in Nursing degree gets you ready for the NCLEX-RN exam and a career as a registered nurse. Coursework blends the behavioral and biological sciences with liberal arts, covering anatomy, microbiology, psychology, and more. You’ll learn from trained experts in the classroom and put your skills to work in clinical settings. The program is accredited by ACEN and holds an articulation agreement with SUNY Delhi, so you can continue on to a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Graduates find jobs in hospitals, assisted care facilities, doctor’s offices, and elder care, often landing positions before graduation. With strong completion rates and high student satisfaction, this program is a solid step into a stable, in-demand profession.

ACEN accredited
Entrance exam required
Exams: TEAS
2-Year program
64 total credit hours
Starts fall
100% licensure pass rate
100% job placement rate
Prepares for NCLEX
Financial aid available

*Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2025. National Center for Education Statistics. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Albany, NY

Entry-level nursing programs are designed for students who do not have any previous nursing education or experience. The options for entry-level nursing programs in Albany include the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. Both of these programs will prepare students with an introduction to nursing principles and skills, as well as prepare them to take the NCLEX certification exam. ADN programs are quick to complete and generally less expensive, while BSN programs provide a more in-depth education with additional courses and a longer completion time.

ADN Programs

ADN programs can be found at community colleges, vocational schools, and some colleges and medical centers, and train aspiring nurses for their first entry-level jobs in nursing. As one example, the ADN program at Hudson Valley Community College can be completed in two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs

BSN programs are generally offered at four-year colleges and universities and include coursework not usually included in ADN programs, such as community health nursing, leadership topics, and research. The Sage Colleges offer BSN programs for high school graduates or students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, which includes 54 nursing credits and 27 supporting credit hours for the bachelor’s degree.

Learn more about New York Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Albany, NY

Many nurses with their associate’s degree consider going back to school to earn their BSN or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in order to earn a higher salary and move into more advanced nursing jobs. Some schools offer specially designed RN to BSN or RN to MSN programs with these nurses in mind. These programs provide an accelerated route to a higher degree, which takes into account prior coursework and clinical experience completed by the working nurse.

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs enable nurses with their RN license to earn their BSN, and in many cases classes are offered online or on flexible schedules to accommodate working students. The RN to BSN program at SUNY Empire State College offers students the option of online or face-to-face courses on a full- or part-time basis for maximum convenience for working students.

Learn more about New York RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

RN to MSN programs are also available in the Albany area, and they allow professional nurses to earn their MSN in preparation for advanced practice nursing careers such as nurse practitioner. Many of these programs allow students to choose from a particular career track, such as the program at The Sage Colleges, which offers the choice of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive-Administrator.

Learn more about New York RN to MSN Programs.

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

Ready to take the next step in nursing? We've put together a list of RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs to help find the right fit. The table below shows each school's city and state, along with program highlights and direct links to their pages. Explore the options to advance education and career. Take a look and find the program that works for you.