Online RN to BSN Programs in New York: Top Schools for RNs
If you’re an RN looking to advance your career, earning your BSN could be the key to unlocking new opportunities. With an online RN to BSN program, you can work while earning your degree, making career advancement more accessible than ever. This EduMed guide looks at online RN to BSN programs in New York to help you find the right school for you.
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Nursing Nursing Ed.Inside Online RN to BSN Programs in New York
Convenience and affordability are key features of online RN to BSN programs in New York. Each program offers its own curriculum focus and content delivery. Some programs are 100% online with no in-person requirements, and others include on-campus attendance for labs, seminars, and short-term residencies. You may be required to complete clinical experiences in program-approved practice settings.
To help you learn more about New York’s online RN to BSN programs, we’ve spotlighted three programs currently offered in the state.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
The Online Nursing RN-BS Program from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is a full-time accelerated program that can be completed in one year (fall, spring, and summer semesters).
All classes are entirely online except for a community health course that includes a 37.5-hour in-person clinical experience at one of the program’s community partner clinical sites or in an approved facility in the student’s local area.
Earning the degree requires a total of 125 credits consisting of 90 previously earned credits and the 35 upper-division course credits making up the RN to BSN curriculum.
Duration: 12 months (three semesters) full-time
Mode: Fully online except for the community health course
Cost: $3,535/semester (New York residents); $4,240/semester (out-of-state residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- Valid New York State RN license
- Minimum of 60 previously earned credits from an accredited college or university
- Minimum of 30 nursing credits transferred in from the applicant’s ADN program
- Minimum undergraduate 2.7 GPA is preferred
- Letter of recommendation
Curriculum:
Fall Semester
- Population Health Across the Life Span
- Principles of Health Assessment
- Introduction to Statistics
- Role Development for Professional Nursing
- Spiritual Care in Professional Nursing Practice
Spring Semester
- Informatics and Clinical Care Technologies
- Advocacy, Policy, and Finance in Healthcare
- Pathophysiology
- Concepts in Community Nursing
- Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
- Communications in Healthcare
- Genetics and Genomics for Nurses
Summer Semester
- Organizational and Systems Leadership in Nursing
- Care of the Older Adult
- Independent Study (Guided Learning) (As needed)
- Nursing Elective (as needed)
Programs that might interest you:
Hunter College (CUNY)
Study flexibility is a major benefit for students in Hunter College’s online RN-to-BS Nursing Program.
All nursing courses are completed entirely online, and both full-time (one year) and part-time (15 months) options are available.
Course content provides students with the education and skills needed to succeed nursing leadership and management, as well as a wide range of specialized practice roles.
Earning the bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 credits that includes the 30 credits of advanced nursing coursework that make up the RN to BSN course of study, plus 24 credits of nursing courses transferred in from the students’ ADN degree. The remaining required 60 credits include liberal arts and general education credits earned previously and/or through hybrid or in-person coursework completed at Hunter.
Students can begin their studies in either the spring or fall.
Duration: 12 months (full-time); 15 months (part-time)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $305/credit (New York residents); $620/credit (out-of-state residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- Current New York State RN license or (for recent ADN graduates) proof of licensure by December 1 (for fall admits) or May 1 (for spring admits) of the year in which they are admitted
- ADN degree from a regionally accredited college; maximum of 24 nursing credits may be transferred into the BSN program
- Minimum of 36 credits in liberal arts and sciences college coursework from a regionally accredited college or university
- Cumulative 3.2 or higher GPA for all undergraduate courses from all schools
- Completion of prerequisite coursework
- Documentation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Nursing
- Foundations of Genetics for Nurses
- Pathopharmacology
- Nursing and Societal Forces
- Nursing Research and Theory
- Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan
- Foundations of Ethics and Palliative Care
- Promotion of Wellness in the Community
- Roles and Relationships in Professional Nursing
- Gerontology for Nurses
Mount Saint Mary College
Student support is a big feature of the online RN to BS in Nursing program at Mount Saint Mary College, a private, Catholic school located in the Orange County city of Newburgh.
All RN to BS students have access to a nursing advisor dedicated to answering their questions and helping them navigate the program. Additionally, online nursing students enjoy access to the same academic and support services available to campus-based students, including the school’s Office of Student Success, Career Center, Writing Center, and more.
The program’s curriculum consists of 30 credits of upper-level nursing and related courses that combine fully-online didactic coursework with a total of 80 in-person clinical hours attended in program-approved practice settings.
Students can transfer up to 77 credits from a two-year institution, including those earned in their ADN program. Additional credits to reach the 120 needed to meet degree requirements can be earned at Mount Saint Mary.
Duration: As little as one year; 18 months average
Mode: Online or hybrid classes, plus in-person clinical hours
Cost: $580/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- ADN degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Current and unincumbered New York State RN license; recent ADN graduates who are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam may take the first course in the RN to BSN program prior to licensure
Curriculum:
- Transition to Professional Practice for RNs
- Pathophysiology for RNs
- Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition
- Physical Assessment for RNs
- Pharmacology for RNs
- Nursing Research for Evidence-Based Practice
- Professional Nursing: Issues and Trends for RNs
- Community Health Nursing for RNs
- Health Policy
FAQs for New York RN to BSN Online Students
If you’ve read this far, you’ve likely found answers to many of the questions you had about online RN to BSN programs in New York. If you have more questions about these programs and what they entail, check out the FAQs below.
How will an RN to BSN program in New York prepare me for more nursing career opportunities?
The coursework for RN to BSN programs builds on the core nursing knowledge and skills taught in the student’s associated degree program, with particular emphasis on leadership and management, community/public health, evidence-based research, and (in some programs) advanced nursing practice in one or more medical specializations.
Each program offers its own unique focus, so it’s important that you carefully review the specific topics covered in each program before applying for admission. Regardless of your ultimate program choice, earning your BSN can prepare you for nursing administration and leadership positions in the full range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, nursing care facilities, home healthcare services, and more.
How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in New York?
The completion times of online RN to BSN programs can vary from program to program depending on a number of factors, the most impactful being the student’s chosen study pace (i.e. full or part time). In general, most full-time students in online RN to BSN programs in New York (like those at SUNY Empire and Monroe University) complete their studies in 10 to 12 months.
Program lengths of 18 months to three years (sometimes longer) are common for part-time programs (like those at SUNY Delhi and SUNY Plattsburgh). Regardless of study pace, your actual program length may also be affected by the need to complete any prerequisite courses or additional general education coursework required to meet the total credit requirement for your degree.
Expert Insight
Some employers require their ADN-prepared RNs to earn a bachelor’s degree within a certain number of years after hire. Inquire if your employer has this requirement and if so, pay close attention to program length when selecting an RN to BSN program. Also, try to avoid anything that may inadvertently extend your time in school, such as missed course enrollment deadlines.
How affordable are RN to BSN programs in New York?
Costs for online RN to BSN programs in New York also vary by specific program. In large part, these programs offer surprisingly affordable tuition rates, as the figures mentioned in the spotlights above and those listed below indicate. This is particularly true when it comes to rates for NY residents at programs offered by public colleges and universities.
In general, total tuition costs for public school online RN to BSN programs in New York range from around $10,000 to $15,000 while total tuition costs at private schools can run anywhere from $17,000 to $25,000.
This doesn’t mean you should reject RN to BSN programs from private schools. Private school programs (like Mount Saint Mary’s) often offer discounted tuition rates to RN to BSN students that are substantially lower than their other bachelor’s degree programs. Additionally, all prospective RN to BSN students should consider financial aid resources when determining a program’s actual cost, regardless of whether the program is from a public or private school.
Below are tuition examples from three institutions:
Binghamton University (SUNY) – BS in Nursing Online Program for Registered Nurses
- Total Credits: 27
- $295/credit (New York residents); $353/credit (out-of-state residents)
Roberts Wesleyan College – RN to BS in Nursing
- Total Credits: 36
- $22,896 (total program cost)
University at Buffalo (SUNY) – RN to BSN Program – Online
- Total Credits: 32
- $12,000 to $14,000 (total program cost)
What are the admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in New York?
Variations continue when it comes to admission requirements for online RN to BSN programs in New York, so be sure that you carefully review the requirements for any program before applying. You can expect to meet requirements like the following:
- Active and unincumbered RN license; most online RN to BSN programs in New York require a New York State-issued license while others accept licenses from other U.S. jurisdictions
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or (in a small number of cases) diploma from an accredited nursing program
- A stated minimum cumulative GPA on all previously completed undergraduate coursework; specific minimums vary by program, but typically range from 2.5 to 3.0 (and sometimes higher)
- Prerequisite coursework may also be needed in anatomy and physiology, communications, critical thinking, general science, psychology, and/or statistics
In New York, what should I look for in a quality RN to BSN program?
Proper accreditation. Accreditation is the process through which college and universities – and the programs they offer – are vetted for academic soundness.
Institutional accreditation of U.S. colleges and universities is overseen by several independent regional and national agencies recognized by the Department of Education.
Accreditation of nursing schools and programs themselves (including RN to BSN programs) is administered primarily by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation information is normally listed on school and program websites, but you can also check current accreditation status at the Department of Education.
Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN
New York is the only state in the country with a BSN in 10 law, meaning new RNs licensed after 2020 must earn a bachelor's degree within ten years of getting their license or risk losing it. That alone makes New York's usual pattern, associate-degree RNs closer to the bottom half of this range and bachelor's-prepared nurses closer to the top, more than just a matter of pay.
An associate degree is still a valid entry point, but the BSN clock starts ticking the moment you're licensed, while bachelor's-prepared nurses are exempt from the requirement entirely and better positioned for New York City's dense hospital market.
Registered Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $77,150 | $99,970 | $130,970 |
| Binghamton, NY | $77,900 | $101,720 | $116,200 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $78,490 | $99,060 | $117,980 |
| Elmira, NY | $67,050 | $82,820 | $98,450 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $66,380 | $104,000 | $118,650 |
| Ithaca, NY | $73,920 | $100,320 | $123,380 |
| Kingston, NY | $71,610 | $101,030 | $129,610 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $68,330 | $102,890 | $125,080 |
| New York | $79,760 | $109,440 | $157,090 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $87,180 | $119,720 | $159,240 |
| Rochester, NY | $79,340 | $86,570 | $106,350 |
| Syracuse, NY | $70,350 | $86,960 | $108,830 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $66,290 | $94,300 | $125,250 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $68,050 | $96,070 | $125,280 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
