Nursing Programs in Rochester, NY

Monroe Community College (MCC) delivers an ACEN-accredited Associate of Applied Science in Nursing—a 64-credit, two-year campus program integrating classroom study with clinical experiences at Rochester hospitals such as Strong Memorial and Highland Hospital. The curriculum spans anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and nursing theory, culminating in eligibility for the NCLEX-RN. MCC graduates achieved NCLEX pass rates of 93.6% (2023) and 100% (2024), exceeding state and national benchmarks. Distinctive supports include peer tutoring, faculty mentorship, and credit transfer into RN-to-BSN programs. Through SUNY Reconnect, qualifying adults can earn the degree tuition-free. LPN advanced standing and an extended high-school option broaden access, while competitive admission and prerequisites ensure readiness.

• ACEN accredited
• 2-Year program
• 64 total credit hours
• 93% job placement rate
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Clinical rotations at 8 area hospitals
• SUNY Reconnect covers tuition for adults
• Credits transfer to RN and BSN
• Peer tutors and experienced faculty

St. John Fisher University's Wegmans School of Nursing offers a campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing program designed to prepare students for entry-level generalist practice. The curriculum integrates liberal arts and evidence-based clinical coursework, featuring 840 hours of hands-on clinical experience in Rochester healthcare settings and a state-of-the-art simulation center modeled after hospital units. Students may also participate in international medical mission trips. Fisher's NCLEX-RN pass rates are notably strong: 94.4% in 2023 (179 test-takers) and 98.8% in 2024 (171 test-takers). With a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:5 to 1:8 and a patient-centered approach, graduates are well-equipped for diverse nursing careers. The program also includes a precepted clinical role transition course and an accelerated pathway to graduate studies.

• 98% licensure pass rate
• 840 clinical hours
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Faculty to student ratio 1:5-1:8
• Simulation center mirrors hospital unit
• Patient- and family-centered care
• Clinical experiences in Rochester region
• Health care mission trips abroad
• Accelerated option for graduate study
• Precepted clinical role transition course

The University of Rochester offers an intensive 12-month accelerated BSN for college graduates from any field. This campus-based, second-degree program ranks as the No. 1 nursing school in Upstate New York. Students complete more than 650 clinical hours at UR Medicine and 90 hours in a state-of-the-art simulation center, learning from faculty of whom 91% are actively practicing in specialties like pediatrics, trauma, and oncology. With three start dates per year (January, May, and September), the program provides one-to-one career support. Scholarship opportunities include full tuition for UR Nursing Scholars. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates reflect solid preparation: 89% in 2023 (146 students) and 96.92% in 2024 (130 students).

• 12-Month program
• 3 start dates per year
• Starts spring/summer/fall
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 91% actively practicing faculty
• 1:1 career support
• 650+ hours clinical training
• 90 hours simulation center
• No. 1 nursing school Upstate NY

The University of Rochester's 24-month accelerated BSN is a flexible, hybrid-online pathway designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Part-time over six semesters, it combines online coursework with in-person clinical experiences at UR Medicine. The curriculum includes 49 credits, 90 lab/skills hours, and more than 650 clinical hours across specialties. Cohorts are small, and classes offer both synchronous and asynchronous options to accommodate working students. Spring and summer starts are available, with employer reimbursement and UR employee tuition benefits often accepted. This track delivers the same rigorous curriculum as the 12-month program, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN. The BSN program's NCLEX pass rates were 89% in 2023 and 96.92% in 2024.

• 24-Month program
• 49 total credit hours
• Part-time available
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts spring/summer
• Synchronous and asynchronous options
• Cohort-based structure
• 650 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN

Roberts Wesleyan University's RN to B.S. in Nursing is a 100% online, CCNE-accredited program tailored for registered nurses. This exam-free bachelor's completion track requires 36 credit hours, including 125 non-patient-care clinical hours and a capstone. Core subjects cover leadership, evidence-based practice, quality and safety, population health, and emerging trends in nursing leadership. Asynchronous classes and small cohorts under 20 promote flexible, personalized learning, with start dates year-round and a 45% tuition discount. No GRE, GMAT, or other entrance exams are required. The program prepares nurses for roles such as nurse case manager and quality improvement director. Roberts Wesleyan's traditional BSN graduates achieved a 95.65% NCLEX pass rate in 2024.

• CCNE accredited
• No entrance exam required
• $655 per credit
• Complete in 12-24 months
• 36 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• Asynchronous online classes
• Cohort-based structure
• 125 clinical hours
• Work experience required

SUNY Brockport's traditional BSN program combines rigorous classroom theory with hands-on clinical experience at Rochester-area healthcare facilities. Students can also explore global health through study abroad programs in Costa Rica or Peru. The CCNE-accredited curriculum prepares graduates for immediate employment, with a 100% job placement rate within six months across trauma centers, hospitals, schools, hospice, and home care. Alumni often pursue advanced degrees, including Brockport's doctoral nursing program. Admission is competitive, but no separate nursing entrance exam is required; however, applicants must meet SUNY Brockport's general university admission criteria, which may include SAT/ACT scores for some students. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates reflect strong outcomes: 92.7% in 2023 and 91.35% in 2024.

• CCNE accredited
• 100% job placement rate
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Clinical experiences in Rochester area
• Study abroad in Costa Rica and Peru
• Path to graduate programs
• Rigorous curriculum with clinical focus
• Highly competitive program