Online Nursing Schools in New York: Comparing Top Programs

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

If you want to dip your toes into the nursing profession and work in a fulfilling healthcare role without enduring several years of school, consider becoming a CNA. You’ll provide basic care and support to patients in a variety of healthcare settings from acute care to assisted living homes. CNAs work under the supervision of registered nurses and other medical professionals and are a vital part of the clinical team.

Example: Lehman College Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Hybrid

• Cost: $1,998 tuition + $150 CPR certification
• Length: Roughly five months
• Mode: Hybrid

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

The next option in pre-licensure nursing is an LPN certificate program. When you work as an LPN, you’ll fulfill many of the same patient care duties as an RN and may also oversee CNAs. You’ll monitor patient vital signs, perform routine care tasks, help educate patients, and document patient symptoms.

Example: Niagara County Community College

• Cost: $14,945
• Length: Roughly 12 months
• Mode: Online options available for some classes but the majority of the program takes place in person

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

ADN programs prepare students for professional practice as RNs. Through a combination of classroom instruction and clinical practice, students graduate ready to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Most ADN programs take about two years to complete, and some have significant online offerings with flexible coursework.

Example: Excelsior University Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

• Cost: $40,595
• Length: 2 years
• Mode: Hybrid

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A traditional BSN program prepares students for professional practice as RNs. Earning a BSN generally takes four years and prepares you for leadership, administrative, and management roles in addition to direct patient care.

New York requires all new nurses to obtain a BSN within 10 years of receiving their RN licenses, in what’s often referred to as the BSN-in-10 requirement. In addition, many employers actively prefer hiring BSN-prepared nurses, so earning a four-year degree can make you a more competitive candidate in the job market.

Example: Dual Degree Nursing program (RN and BSN) at St. Bonaventure University

• Cost: $42,220 per year
• Length: 4 years
• Mode: First three years in person with hybrid options for year four

Accelerated BSN (ABSN)

Accelerated BSN programs are for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field and who have completed nursing prerequisite courses like nutrition, chemistry, and statistics. These programs are designed for students with non-nursing degrees who want to pivot into career in nursing. Most accelerated BSN programs can be completed in as little as one year to 16 months.

Example: University of Mount Saint Vincent ABSN

• Cost: $67,600 plus program fees
• Length: 16 months
• Mode: On-site and hybrid options available

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

MSN programs are ideal for nurses who want to pursue advanced healthcare careers as administrators, nurse educators, and clinical nurse leaders. MSN graduates also fill roles as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and more. Programs are designed primarily around specializations and generally take two to three years to complete.

Example: Empire State University Master of Science in Nursing

• Cost: New York residents pay $5,655 per semester (full-time students), whereas non-residents pay $6,785 per semester
• Length: 10 months to 2 years
• Mode: Hybrid or online

DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs prepare RNs or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to meet the complex health needs of diverse populations in various settings. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs prepare nurses to conduct research across a range of populations and health conditions and to teach nursing to future generations.

DNP and PhD students need a BSN or MSN in nursing as well as RN licensure or eligibility before enrolling in a program.

Example: SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Cost: $12,810 per semester for New York residents
• Length: 2.5 years
• Mode: Online

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-graduate certificates prepare nurses for roles in advanced practice in areas like psychiatric/mental health, gerontology, pediatrics, midwifery, and informatics. These certificates are for nurses who want to refine their practice toward specific patient populations for work in advanced practice roles.

Example: Upstate Medical University Post-Graduate Advanced Certificates

• Cost: $5,655 per semester for New York residents
• Length: 2 years (part time with flexible study options)
• Mode: Hybrid

LPN to RN and LPN to BSN

LPNs who want to become RNs can take a nursing bridge program to earn their BSN degree. These programs recognize the academic preparation and clinical experience of LPNs and provide opportunities for credit equivalency.

Example: SUNY Genesee LPN to RN track

• Cost: Full-time students pay $5,250 per semester
• Length: One year
• Mode: Hybrid

RN to BSN

RN to BSN programs allow RNs with associate degrees or diplomas to obtain their BSN in as little as two years while continuing to work. Sometimes partially or fully online, these programs in New York focus on increasing general science knowledge while expanding professional expertise.

Example: Empire State University RN to BSN

• Cost: $36,580
• Length: Up to four years part-time, but can be completed much faster with heavier courseload
• Mode: Hybrid

RN to MSN

These programs are designed for students with an ASN or ADN to obtain both a BSN and a Master of Science in Nursing at the same time. Students who complete this bridge nursing program in New York will be prepared for advanced nursing practice in roles like nurse practitioners, midwives, educators, and nurse managers.

Example: SUNY Empire State University RN to MSN Program

• Cost: New York residents pay $295 per credit for undergrad courses and $471 per credit for graduate courses
• Length: Three to four years part-time
• Mode: Online

BSN to DNP

Online BSN to DNP programs are specifically for nurses seeking to develop their clinical skills and versatility. The skills of Nurse Practitioners (DNPs) make them essential resources in many different settings. DNPs can choose a variety of workplace options, depending on their scope of practice and population served.

Example: Upstate Medical University Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BS-DNP)

• Cost: $12,810 per semester for New York residents
• Length: Three years
• Mode: Hybrid

Direct-Entry MSN

These graduate-level, direct-entry programs are often designed for non-nurse college graduates who want to become an RN or APRN. You’ll focus on building foundational nursing knowledge and skills, and when you graduate, you’ll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX exam and begin your nursing career.

Example: University of Rochester Master’s Direct Entry into Nursing Practice

• Cost: $115,200
• Length: 16 months
• Mode: On-site and in person