Online RN to BSN Programs in New York

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in New York

1. University of Rochester

• Program: Online RN to BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 32
• Length: 4 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

UR’s Online RN to BS hits our #1 New York spot for a bevy of reasons! The School of Nursing has tight connections with the University of Rochester Medical Center. It achieves excellent NCLEX pass rates. And the RN to BS is packed with deep-dive coursework (e.g. genetics) and useful field hours. UR’s standard tuition rate is super-expensive, but this private research university offers oodles of tuition discounts to UR employees, RNs at URMC affiliate organizations, and RNs who live or work in the Finger Lakes region.

2. CUNY Hunter College

• Program: Online RN-to-BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 7 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No

Looking for a cheaper option than UR? Check out CUNY Hunter’s Online RN-to-BS. It’s the brainchild of the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, which is adjacent to the VA Medical Center, Bellevue Hospital, and NYU Langone Medical Center. Along with useful career connections, you’ll get an urban BSN program that’s packed with real-world coursework and 45 clinical hours in Promotion of Wellness in the Community.

3. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

• Program: Online RN-BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 35
• Length: 3 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No

Interested in maternal & infant care? SUNY Downstate’s affordable Online RN-BS is well-worth a look. Downstate’s College of Nursing is part of the only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care in Brooklyn, and it has a reputation for diversity & nurse midwifery training. The online/hybrid RN-BS only takes 3 semesters to complete. Better yet, you can customize the curriculum with 8-week electives.

4. University at Buffalo

• Program: Online RN to BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 32
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 6 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

Need an NYS option that’s 100% online? Have a look at UB’s Online RN to BS. It’s open to in-state and out-of-state residents. It’s built on asychronous coursework, with no campus visits. And it’s available on a full-time or part-time basis, with multiple start dates. If you’re part of the SUNY system, you can take advantage of SUNY Seamless Transfer. The School of Nursing also offers a BS to DNP pathway for further graduate study.

5. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

• Program: Online RN to BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 28-34
• Length: 3-4 Semesters (Full-Time); 5+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No

Prefer a program with a personal touch? Explore the Online RN to BS from SUNY Polytechnic’s College of Health Sciences. You’ll have one-on-one time with instructors through synchronous classes. You can choose to attend on a part-time or full-time basis. And you’ll complete 135 practicum hours in leadership & public health nursing. You can even customize your learning with 6 credits in general electives.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in New York

Online RN to BSN programs in New York are not particularly cheap. Once you factor in mandatory fees, even public university options like CUNY and SUNY can be pricey. To appear in our New York rankings, we decided that the total cost of the Online RN to BSN had to fall between $9,000-$12,000. But you’ll find lower prices in our list of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. CUNY School of Professional Studies

• Program: Online RN to BS in Nursing
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

The in-state tuition rate for CUNY SPS’s Online RN to BS in Nursing is fairly reasonable, but there will be additional per term and one-off fees. Plus the program is only open to New York State RNs. The core of the Online RN to BS in Nursing is 30 credits. If you need to add non-nursing courses to reach the 120 credits necessary for a BSN, your costs will go up.

Note: Earning an AAS from a local community college (e.g. Bronx)? CUNY SPS has established articulation agreements to allow for maximum credit transfers.

2. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

• Program: Online RN to BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 35
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

SUNY Downstate’s Online RN to BS also appears in our Best NY rankings! Just keep in mind that it’s only open to applicants with a valid New York State RN license. If you use SUNY Downstate’s projected calendar of 3 semesters, the total tuition cost for a full-time, in-state resident is around $1,000 more than CUNY SPS’s program. There will also be minor additional charges (e.g. college fee, technology fee, etc.).

3. University at Buffalo

• Program: Online RN to BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 32
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No (But Will Accept Out-of-State RNs)
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

UB’s 100% Online RN to BS is the first program in our NY affordable rankings that accepts RNs who don’t have a NYS license. Having said that, UB charges different tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state residents. If you are considering UB, be sure to apply for Scholarships & Financial Aid. The UB School of Nursing awards more than $180,000 in scholarships to admitted/approved undergraduate nursing students.

Honorable Affordable Mentions

Our honorable mention goes to Russell Sage College. The total tuition cost for the Hybrid RN to BSN is the same as UB’s in-state price. However, Sage’s program is blended—there are hybrid classes with seat time & online components. That means you’ll have to account for commuting costs and campus visits.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in New York

It’s difficult to find any CCNE-accredited Online RN to BSN Programs in New York that are less than 12 months. Every public and private option we examined was at least 3 semesters; some programs were considerably longer.

If you really need to get your BSN done & dusted, check out our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country. You’ll discover a lot of 2-semester options in there.

RN to BSN Scholarships in New York

RN to BSN Requirements in New York

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. So unless you’re in the process of earning your New York State RN license in order to apply, you won’t have many dealings with NYSED’s Office of the Professions. But feel free to examine NCLEX pass rates for traditional, 4-year BSN programs in New York. This is always a good quality marker.

Public Programs with NYS RN License Requirements: You’ll notice that many CUNY and SUNY schools in our New York listings will only accept applicants who either a) have a current New York State RN license; or b) are in the process of earning one. There are exceptions—check the admissions requirements and any fine print on state authorizations to learn if you’re eligible.

Private Programs with NYS RN License Requirements: Most private universities will be open to out-of-state RNs (e.g. Adelphi, Dominican, Mercy, etc.). One major exception is the University of Rochester. It states that it wants to see Online RN to BSN candidates with RN licensure from New York State.

BSN in 10 Law: In December 2017, New York passed the BSN in 10 law. This requires any new RNs to attain a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of initial licensure. BSN in 10 does not apply to nurses who were already holding an RN license in New York State at the time the law was passed. See the FAQs below for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is New York State’s “BSN in 10” Law?

New York passed the BSN in 10 law on December 19, 2017.

• BSN Requirement: The law stipulates that any New York nurses graduating from associate degree or diploma nursing programs must obtain a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure. That’s why you’ll see so many Online RN to BSN offerings in our New York listings.
• Grandfather Clause: However, the BSN in 10 law contains a “Grandfather” clause. Existing RNs with an NYS license, students enrolled in a nursing program in New York State, and those with NYS nursing school acceptances pending in late 2017 were exempted from the requirement.

If you fall into the “grandfather” category, you have a choice. You don’t have to earn a BSN, but you may have trouble competing with recent graduates in the New York hiring market. In addition, the BSN is a standard job requirement for hospitals with Magnet designations.

Are There Any CCNE-Accredited 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in New York?

You bet. There are 100% offerings from public universities (e.g. CUNY Lehman’s 100% Online RN-BS, SUNY Brockport’s 100% Online RN to BSN, and UB’s 100% Online RN to BS) and private universities (e.g. Dominican College’s 100% Online RN to BSN and Pace’s 100% Online RN to BS in Nursing). Explore our listings for more details.

Keep in mind that 100% online refers to RN to BSN coursework—you won’t have to visit the campus for classes or exams. However, you will almost always have to complete practicum/fieldwork hours in your local community or place of employment. Online RN to BSN programs often include practicum hours in leadership, community health nursing, and/or capstone courses.

Can I Choose an Online RN to BSN to MSN Program in New York?

Yes. If you’re interested in graduate work, but you still wish to have the BSN listed on your résumé, there are plenty of options! Examples of fast-track Online RN to BSN to MSN programs in New York include:

• Mercy College’s Online RN to BS to MS: In this program, up to nine graduate credits are substituted for undergraduate credits. After 120 credits, you’ll earn your BSN and then tackle an MS in Nursing Education or an MS in Nursing Administration.
• CUNY SPS’s Accelerated Online RN to BS-MS: You’ll earn a BSN and MSN in Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, or Nursing Organizational Leadership in less time than it takes to complete two degrees separately.
• Saint John Fisher College’s Fast-Track Online RN to BS to MS: Online RN to BS students at Fisher can petition to substitute graduate nursing courses from the MS for two undergraduate courses. This accelerated approach allows you to complete an MSN in less time.
• Stony Brook’s Online RN Baccalaureate to Master’s Program: This degree path leads to a BSN and a MSN in your chosen specialty. There are some on-site requirements.
• University of Rochester’s Hybrid RN to BS to MS: You can choose to pursue an MSN in leadership, education, or various NP specialties. Courses are offered in a blend of online and evening in-class sessions.

Is Statistics Required for New York Online RN to BSN Programs?

Probably. Statistics has become a standard prerequisites for Online RN to BSN programs at public universities in New York (e.g. SUNY Brockport) and private universities (e.g. Pace). Check the admissions requirements carefully.

However, you may not need to have statistics at the time of your application. Many NY universities will allow you to complete missing prerequisites during your RN to BSN program (e.g. Pace). You may even be able to earn those credits at another accredited institution.

Do I Need a New York RN License to Apply to NYS Online RN to BSN Programs?

It depends. A lot of CUNY and SUNY schools want to see Online RN to BSN applicants who a) have a valid New York State RN license; or b) are in the process of earning one. Even the University of Rochester—a private research university—has this requirement.

But out-of-state RNs still have options! Many private colleges are open to RNs who don’t live in New York (e.g. Adelphi, Dominican, Mercy, etc.). The public University at Buffalo will also consider out-of-state applicants who have an unencumbered U.S. RN license and a regionally accredited diploma or associate’s degree.