Buffalo offers two credentialed paths to the same license: a two-year associate degree at a community college, or a four-year BSN at a university. Both finish at the NCLEX-RN, and the region's hospital systems, from Buffalo General to Roswell Park, hire from both pools.
Cost is the sharper divider. Net price after grant aid spans roughly $7,765 at Erie Community College to $20,995 at the University at Buffalo, and admission thresholds track that spread.
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates among area programs range from 71.7 to 99 percent, and that single number deserves more weight than a glossy viewbook before you apply.
Buffalo Nursing Schools With the Strongest NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Below are the top nursing programs serving Buffalo students, ranked by NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate, accreditation, and completion. Exam-day results drive this list: graduates have to pass the NCLEX-RN before they can work as RNs, so first-time pass rates are the clearest public evidence of how well a program prepares its students. The eight schools below range from two-year community college options to research university BSNs, and several have posted pass rates well above the New York and national baccalaureate averages.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and retention rates
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program accreditation status
- Net price after financial aid
- Program length and format
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- In-house program catalog data
Erie Community College
#1Buffalo, NY · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Budget-minded commuters seeking an associate degree
Erie Community College runs the area's largest associate degree nursing pipeline, an ACEN-accredited A.A.S. that takes about two years and 69 credits. Admission weighs GPA and a HESI entrance exam, there is no waiting list, and licensed LPNs can apply. Recent cohorts have posted a 99% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, and a 2+2 agreement with the University at Buffalo gives graduates a defined route into a BSN.
- ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science in Nursing
- 69 total credit hours across roughly two years
- GPA and HESI A2 entrance exam drive admission
- 3.0 GPA and 86% high school average minimum
- No waiting list; admission is competitive
- Licensed LPNs in New York may apply
- Clinicals may run evenings, weekends, or summer
University at Buffalo
#2Buffalo, NY · $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: First-time freshmen targeting a research university
The University at Buffalo School of Nursing is the research university option in the city, with a CCNE-accredited traditional BS built as two years of prerequisites plus two years of upper-division nursing. Students log more than 600 clinical hours, including Dedicated Education Units, and finish with a capstone. First-time NCLEX-RN results are strong at roughly 97.6% across recent takers, and admission is genuinely selective: about 150 qualified applicants compete for 72 seats, with admitted students averaging a 3.6 GPA.
- CCNE-accredited BS in Nursing, 120 credit hours
- Two years of prerequisites plus two years of nursing sequence
- More than 600 clinical hours, including Dedicated Education Units
- Capstone required; one fall start per year
- Honors College students receive guaranteed admission
- Daniel Acker Scholars pathway available
- Concept-based curriculum with informatics and policy coursework
Niagara County Community College
#3Sanborn, NY · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Niagara County residents avoiding a long commute
Niagara County Community College, now branded SUNY Niagara, offers a four-semester A.A.S. that has held ACEN accreditation since 1976. Clinical placements span Niagara, Erie, and Orleans counties, so students can often train close to home. The program is selective, starts in fall with a February 1 application deadline, and recent cohorts have passed the NCLEX-RN first time at about 95%.
- ACEN accredited since 1976
- Four-semester Associate in Applied Science program
- Clinical placements across Niagara, Erie, and Orleans counties
- Fall start with a February 1 application deadline
- Selective admission, registered by NYS Education Department
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN
Niagara University
#4Niagara University, NY · ~$17,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 84.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Niagara University's CCNE-accredited BS in Nursing is a four-year, 120-credit program with 675 clinical hours across acute, long-term, and community settings. Rolling admissions and separate freshman and transfer tracks make it workable for students arriving by different routes. Small class and lab sizes plus a dedicated Center for Nurse Wellness are the standout supports, and recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates sit in the mid-80s.
- CCNE-accredited four-year BS in Nursing, 120 credits
- 675 clinical hours in acute, long-term, and community care
- Rolling admissions with separate freshman and transfer tracks
- On-campus learning labs and a Center for Nurse Wellness
- Small class and lab sizes
- Student Nursing Association on campus
D'Youville University
#5Buffalo, NY · ~$20,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 82% (3-yr weighted avg)
D'Youville University gives Buffalo students three ways into nursing: a traditional four-year BSN, a 15-month accelerated track for career changers, and an online RN-to-BSN for working nurses. The CCNE-accredited program pairs simulation with clinical rotations at regional hospitals including Buffalo General and Roswell Park, and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio keeps sections small. Recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are around 82%.
- CCNE accredited, with traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks
- Track lengths range from about 18 months to four years
- Simulation training plus clinical partnerships with regional hospitals
- Clinical rotations at Buffalo General and Roswell Park
- Interprofessional learning alongside 12 or more health fields
- 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Study abroad mission trip and summer internships
Daemen University
#6Amherst, NY · ~$19,000/yr (est.)
Daemen University takes a different route with its 1+2+1 B.S. in Nursing: students spend a first year at Daemen, earn an associate degree at a partner community college, then return for a final year. That structure lets students sit for RN licensure after year three and earn while finishing the bachelor's. Years two and three are billed at community college rates, and the final year carries a 50% tuition discount.
- 1+2+1 structure: year one at Daemen, AAS at a partner college, final year back
- Eligible for RN licensure after the third year
- Community college tuition for years two and three
- 50% tuition discount in the final year
- Guaranteed seats with partner community colleges
- Online or hybrid coursework for part of the sequence
- Test-optional admission
Trocaire College
#7Buffalo, NY · ~$17,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 71.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Trocaire College has prepared Buffalo nurses for more than 50 years and runs both an ACEN-accredited associate degree and an online RN-to-BS completion program. The ADN covers 65 credits with clinicals at Buffalo hospitals, while the RN-to-BS requires 135 clinical hours and about 30 credits, with employer reimbursement and alumni discounts available. Recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of about 72% trail the other Buffalo programs on this list.
- Online BS in Nursing built for licensed RNs
- 135 clinical hours required, fewer than many comparable programs
- 30 total credit hours with generous transfer credit
- Employer tuition reimbursement and Healthcare Heroes Scholarship accepted
- RN and alumni discounts on selected credits
- Clinical placements supported with Western New York employers
- Prepares nurses for leadership, management, and educator roles
- ACEN-accredited associate degree in nursing
- 65 total credit hours; HESI entrance exam required
- 2.8 minimum GPA plus prerequisite coursework
- Clinicals at Buffalo hospitals
- Mercy Action Project required for graduation
- Fall application deadline of December 20
- Registered by the NYS Education Department
Bryant & Stratton College-Online
#8Orchard Park, NY · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)
Bryant & Stratton College offers a CCNE-accredited BSN delivered over eight semesters, about 32 months and 125 credits. Admission requires the TEAS exam and an interview with the nursing director, and there is no application fee. Coursework builds through anatomy, pharmacology, and pathophysiology into adult care, mental health, community health, and leadership, with clinical and internship placements arranged through partner health systems.
- CCNE-accredited BSN completed over eight semesters
- About 32 months and 125 total credit hours
- TEAS entrance exam and nursing director interview required
- $0 application fee
- Clinical and internship placements with partner health systems
- Background check and drug screening required
ADN or BSN? Comparing 2-Year and 4-Year Routes Around Buffalo
Trocaire College publishes a 2026-27 rate of $11,870 per semester for full-time study at 12 to 19 credits, with part-time study at $985 per credit. Treat that as a starting point rather than a nursing-program total: it is a schoolwide rate and does not bundle clinical, lab, or testing charges.
Start With the School's Own Cost Pages
Open each program's official tuition and financial aid page before you compare anything else. Search "ECC tuition and fees" to reach Erie Community College's cost schedule and confirm the Erie County resident rate and the mandatory fees that apply to you, including technology, liability, and testing charges. Run the school's net price calculator for an aid-adjusted estimate, and ask the nursing department directly which course fees sit outside the published tuition line.
Confirm Length and Approval at the Source
Read the nursing department page, not the general admissions page, for curriculum length and credit totals. Then verify accreditation in the accreditor's own directory: search "ACEN accredited programs" or the CCNE directory and confirm that the specific ADN or BSN is listed, not just the college. Check registration through the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions, which maintains the state's list of approved nursing programs.
A Short Comparison Checklist
- Total cost: add tuition, mandatory fees, clinical supplies, background check, and licensing exam fees before comparing two routes.
- Outlook: read the BLS.gov Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for registered nurses for employment and salary context that applies to both ADN and BSN graduates.
- Transfer: ask admissions in writing how ADN credits move into a BSN, and whether an RN-to-BSN bridge is available after licensure. UB's RN-to-BS track admits qualified ASN graduates at full junior standing under its stated transfer terms.
The New York State Nurses Association publishes career and workplace context worth reading alongside program materials. Costs and accreditation terms change, so confirm both with the school and the accreditor before you apply.
Five Lowest-Net-Price Nursing Schools Around Buffalo
These figures are school-wide averages after grant or scholarship aid, not personal price quotes. Pell Grant recipient shares and median completer debt are also institution-wide, while the program-level median debt and monthly payment columns appear only where the underlying program data is available. The lowest average net price options here are ADN programs at Niagara County Community College and Erie Community College; the BSN programs shown have higher average net prices, so some students may find that starting in an ADN and completing an RN to BSN later costs less overall.
| School | Degree | Average Net Price | Pell Grant Recipients | Median Debt for Completers (Institution-Wide) | Program-Level Median Debt | Estimated Monthly Loan Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara County Community College | Associate (ADN) | $6,876 | 71% | $11,039 | $14,615 | $155 |
| Erie Community College | Associate (ADN) | $7,765 | 77% | $9,250 | $13,324 | $141 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Online | Bachelor's (BSN) | $15,187 | 87% | $21,549 | $29,490 | $313 |
| Trocaire College | Bachelor's (BSN) | $16,636 | 63% | $20,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Niagara University | Bachelor's (BSN) | $17,248 | 47% | $25,475 | $26,211 | $278 |
From LPN to RN: Bridge Programs at Western New York Community Colleges
An LPN can become an RN in Buffalo without starting over. The clearest advanced-placement routes sit with the region's community colleges, including Erie Community College, Trocaire College, and Niagara County Community College. The details are not identical across campuses, so the practical first step is to confirm how each school applies prior LPN coursework before you apply.
What the colleges publish
- Erie Community College: accepts nursing applications online, so the entry process begins with the college's standard application. Contact the nursing department to confirm how prior LPN coursework is applied.
- Trocaire College: requires the HESI A2 entrance exam for nursing admission. Published deadlines are December 20, 2026 for Spring 2027 and July 15, 2027 for Fall 2027.
- Niagara County Community College: an archived nursing catalog described advanced standing in the Nursing AAS for practical-nursing graduates. Graduates of NCCC's own PN program within five years received the fullest advanced-standing review; graduates of other PN programs were evaluated on a limited basis.
The number of credits granted can vary by school and by where the LPN qualification was earned, so ask each college for a written credit evaluation before committing to a semester. Plan to show an active New York LPN license and official practical-nursing transcripts when you request that review. Most students complete the remaining ADN coursework after advanced placement, but total time depends on which general education and nursing courses still need to be completed.
Timing and seats
Deadlines vary by campus. NCCC's catalog pointed to a February 1 deadline for September entry, while Trocaire lists both spring and fall deadlines. Nursing cohorts in these programs are small and can fill quickly, so schedule any required entrance exam early and submit transcripts as soon as applications open.
After the bridge
If you are already working as an LPN at a Buffalo-area hospital or nursing facility, ask your employer about tuition reimbursement or paid bridge seats; several local health systems support staff advancement. Once you hold the RN license through an ADN, New York's BSN-in-10 requirement still applies: you will need to complete a bachelor's degree in nursing within ten years, so plan the next step early.
Second-Degree Students: Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Options in Western NY
Two accelerated routes for Western New York career changers differ mainly in pace and entry requirements. University at Buffalo compresses preparation into 12 full-time months beginning in summer, while D'Youville University's accelerated BSN runs about 15 months in its 2026-2027 catalog.
University at Buffalo: Fast, Competitive, Full-Time
UB's ABSN is designed for career changers entering nursing with a bachelor's or master's degree in another field. The program begins in mid-May and is full-time, so clinicals and coursework leave little room for outside employment. Admission is selective: expect an overall GPA around 3.3, a 3.0 average across prerequisite courses, and at least a C+ in each. Nine undergraduate prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, chemistry, statistics, human growth and development, human nutrition, and applied physiology. At least four should be completed by the application deadline, with the remainder finished before the May start. UB lists $24,000 as the estimated resident-rate tuition, excluding fees.
D'Youville University: A Slightly Longer Window
D'Youville's accelerated BSN is for prior baccalaureate holders from regionally accredited institutions. Most prerequisites need a C or better within 10 years and include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry with labs, plus psychology or sociology, statistics, and developmental psychology. D'Youville does not accept online labs for these science prerequisites. The undergraduate GPA minimum for admission is 2.75. Enrolled students must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 73% exam average before other graded components are considered. Current tuition was not published in the materials reviewed here, so confirm cost and clinical scheduling through D'Youville's nursing program pages.
The Accelerated Trade-Off
An accelerated BSN is intense and usually impossible to combine with full-time work, but it reaches NCLEX eligibility far faster than returning for a second four-year degree. The confirmed accelerated choices near Buffalo right now are BSN-level routes; prospective students set on an entry-level MSN should confirm master's-entry options directly with schools before applying.
Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Programs Near Buffalo
For career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, these accelerated programs compress the nursing curriculum into roughly a year of full-time study. Each leads to a BSN and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
- Accelerated Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Second Degree BSN
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Where Buffalo Nursing Graduates Get Hired
Choosing a Buffalo nursing program is also choosing your early job market. The region's largest nurse employers run the same clinical sites where nursing students train, so a clinical placement can become a first job.
Major employers in the city
Kaleida Health operates Buffalo General Medical Center and Oishei Children's Hospital. Catholic Health runs Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Sisters of Charity Hospital and Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Erie County Medical Center, or ECMC, is the area's 550-bed safety-net hospital, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center employs nurses in oncology care. University at Buffalo School of Nursing lists Catholic Health, ECMC, Kaleida Health and Roswell Park as clinical partners, putting prelicensure students inside each system before graduation. Catholic Health reported 605 nurses hired and 2,195 total nursing staff in 2024, while Roswell Park added 76 nurses.
Residency and tuition support
New-graduate transition programs matter as much as the first offer. Catholic Health launched a paid, ANA-accredited nurse residency in fall 2023 that runs six to twelve months across emergency, ICU, mother/baby and med-surg. Kaleida Health advertises its Triumph Nurse Residency Program, while ECMC offers a senior-year internship with preceptors and capstone projects. For ADN-prepared nurses planning a BSN, employer education benefits are real but uneven. Catholic Health requires one year of service for tuition reimbursement and offers a 25 percent graduate tuition discount at Canisius University, though not every program qualifies. Kaleida lists tuition reimbursement, ECMC's is tied to ECMC Foundation funding, and Roswell Park lists tuition reimbursement, tuition discounts and student loan forgiveness. Check current eligibility and RN-to-BSN coverage before enrolling.
Beyond the city line
The hiring map stretches past Buffalo. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center anchors the northern edge, and hospital campuses around Lockport, Amherst and Batavia give suburban and Niagara County commuters closer options. For many students, the clinical site you choose in school can shape the system you join after licensure.
What RNs Earn in the Buffalo Metro
Registered nurses in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earned a mean annual wage of $98,560 as of May 2025.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Buffalo, NY
Working registered nurses in the Buffalo area can complete a bachelor's degree without leaving their shift schedule. The programs below run largely online or in hybrid formats, with part-time pacing, multiple start dates, and generous transfer credit for an associate degree or diploma. Each requires an active, unencumbered RN license for admission.
- RN to BSN
- R.N. to B.S. Program
- RN to BSN
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN – BS Program)
- Online RN to BS in Nursing Program
- RN to BSN
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Buffalo, NY
Advanced practice study in the Buffalo area runs from master's-level nurse practitioner tracks through doctoral clinical degrees, with several programs built for working RNs who need hybrid or online coursework. New York grants nurse practitioners full practice authority, so graduates here can move into independent primary and specialty care. The directory below covers the BSN-to-MSN and MSN-to-DNP routes available locally.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Family Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-MS) DNP
- Nurse Midwifery DNP
- Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (Post-MS) DNP (Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Nursing Education, M.S.
- Master of Science in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- M.S., Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Administration
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)
- Master of Science in Nursing Education
- Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
New York RN Licensure at a Glance
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Buffalo, NY
8 schools within 20 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.
Amherst, NY
Daemen University
Bachelor's - Nursing, B.S. (1+2+1 Program)
- ACEN accredited
- Test optional
- 100% job placement rate
- Earn RN after third year
- Community college tuition for years 2-3
- 50% tuition discount final year
- Guaranteed seats with partner colleges
- Flexible online or hybrid courses
Hybrid · Website
Buffalo, NY
D'Youville University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 3 concentration options
- Complete in 1.5-4 Years
- $86,070 median earnings
- Median Wage for Nurses in 2023 $86,070
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- State-of-the-art simulation training
Online · Website
Erie Community College
Associate - Nursing, A.A.S.
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- 2-Year program
- 69 total credit hours
- 100% licensure pass rate
- 76% job placement rate
- 3.0 GPA minimum
On-Campus · Website
Trocaire College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing Program
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- 65 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-12-20
- 74% licensure pass rate
- 74% job placement rate
- 2.8 GPA minimum
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - BS in Nursing
- 80% job placement rate
- 135 clinical hours
- Financial aid available
- Online program
- Small, supportive learning environment
- Off-site placement assistance
- RN discount available
- Alumni discount on 6 credits
Online · WebsiteBachelor's - Online RN to BS in Nursing Program
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
- 30 total credit hours
- Employer reimbursement supported
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Small class sizes
- Focus on nursing expertise beyond clinical
- Online flexibility for working nurses
Online · Website
University at Buffalo
Bachelor's - Traditional Baccalaureate in Nursing Program
- CCNE accredited
- 2 years prerequisites + 2 years upper division (full time)
- 120 total credit hours
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts fall
- 600 clinical hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
On-Campus · Website
Niagara University, NY
Niagara University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Year program
- 120 total credit hours
- Rolling admissions
- 675 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Clinical experience in acute, long-term, community settings
- Center for Nurse Wellness
On-Campus · Website
Orchard Park, NY
Bryant & Stratton College-Online
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 32-Month program
- 125 total credit hours
- $0 application fee
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
On-Campus · Website
Sanborn, NY
Niagara County Community College
Associate - Nursing, A.A.S.
- ACEN accredited
- 4-Semester program
- Apply by 2026-02-01
- Starts fall
- 96% licensure pass rate
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Ranked No. 4 in New York
- Clinical experiences at hospitals
On-Campus · Website
Program data from the schools and the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS).