The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

Joelle Y. Jean, FNP-C, BSN, RN
by
Updated June 28, 2024
Edited by
New York is one of the top-paying states for nurse practitioners. Explore the best nurse practitioner programs in New York.
mini logo

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

New York City skyline along Hudson RiverCredit: Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty Images

Now is a great time to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in New York. New York is among the top five states that employ the most NPs, who earn an average salary of $142,830, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Explore our list of the best New York NP programs. Learn about the admissions process, what to expect during clinicals, and how to pay for your graduate degree in this guide.

Popular Online MSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Learn More About the Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

#1 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

Hofstra University

  • Location-markerHempstead, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Tuition
  • In-State$50,265
  • Out-of-state$50,265
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled10,243
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment23%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

Wagner College

  • Location-markerStaten Island, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus
Average Tuition
  • In-State$48,730
  • Out-of-state$48,730
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate82%
  • Students Enrolled1,958
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment0%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

  • Location-markerUtica, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Tuition
  • In-State$7,070
  • Out-of-state$17,830
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate77%
  • Students Enrolled2,850
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment83%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

  • Location-markerBrooklyn, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Tuition
  • In-State$7,070
  • Out-of-state$17,830
  • Retention Rate0%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled2,117
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment35%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

SUNY Brockport

  • Location-markerBrockport, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Tuition
  • In-State$7,070
  • Out-of-state$16,980
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled6,991
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment50%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

Mercy College

  • Location-markerDobbs Ferry, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Tuition
  • In-State$19,920
  • Out-of-state$19,920
  • Retention Rate71%
  • Acceptance Rate86%
  • Students Enrolled8,772
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment73%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

Pace University

  • Location-markerNew York, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Tuition
  • In-State$46,978
  • Out-of-state$46,978
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate88%
  • Students Enrolled13,479
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment58%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

Long Island University

  • Location-markerBrookville, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Tuition
  • In-State$37,296
  • Out-of-state$37,296
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate93%
  • Students Enrolled15,191
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment2%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024

College of Mount Saint Vincent

  • Location-markerBronx, NY
  • 4 year
  • Campus
Average Tuition
  • In-State$39,500
  • Out-of-state$39,500
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance Rate82%
  • Students Enrolled2,948
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment13%
  • AccreditationYes

Applying to a New York Nurse Practitioner Program

New York NP application requirements include a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and a current and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license.

  • Admission Materials: Other admission materials include recommendations, transcripts, certifications, a personal essay, and nursing experience.
  • GPA Requirement: The requirement for many NP programs is a 3.0 or higher GPA.
  • Other Requirement: Other requirements often include an online application and an in-person or online interview. Most schools require a criminal background check. Some schools request graduate-level test scores, such as GRE or GMAT, but others have waived this requirement.

Why Is NP Program Accreditation Important?

Accreditation is important for NP programs because it informs prospective students about the overall quality of programs and ensures that they meet the national standards for nursing practice. National standards include ensuring the curriculum passes industry standards, educators have appropriate training and education, and students pass the national board certification exam.

There are three accrediting bodies for NP programs. The three organizations include:

  1. The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  2. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  3. National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)

Many risks are associated with attending a school that isn’t accredited. You could risk losing your financial aid, being unable to transfer credits and sitting for the state boards.

The fastest way to check if your NP program is accredited is to do a quick online search. Your school’s website should also list the accrediting agency for the program.

Every program listed in our top-ranked nurse practitioner programs in New York is accredited.

Paying for Nurse Practitioner Programs

Paying for an NP program is a significant investment and commitment. Rising tuition — a national trend — may impact your finances and ability to pay out of pocket. You also may be thinking about the student loans you already have after completing your undergraduate degree.

In 2017, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) published a debt report stating that 76% of students have undergraduate loans.

The cost of attending an accredited NP program in New York varies, especially if you are applying to a public or private school.

If you work for a hospital or institution that offers tuition reimbursement, take advantage of this employee benefit. Make sure to research the requirements.

For students unable to pay out-of-pocket for graduate school, there are many financial aid resources for nurses, including filling out a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can also research nursing scholarships and grants.

Nurses enrolled in accredited NP programs in New York can apply to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program offered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This scholarship finances your nursing degree and provides a monthly stipend. In exchange, you must work for a few years in a critical nursing or facility shortage area after graduation.

What Can You Do with a Degree from a New York Nurse Practitioner Program?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects NP jobs to grow 45% from 2022 to 2032, exponentially higher than the 3% average growth rate for all jobs. With high demand for their skills, NP students can pursue a variety of specialty tracks in mental health, pediatric, family, and emergency care. Emergency NP (ENP): $116 per hour/$241,550

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national mean annual salary for NPs is $128,490.

Many NP programs prepare students to become certified NPs in various practice areas. For example, students can become certified as family nurse practitioners (FNPs). An FNP certification prepares graduates to work in primary care, a critically underserved area for skilled advanced practice RNs.

The average annual salary for NPs in New York is $133,469, according to Ziprecruiter. However, pay varies depending on an NP’s specialty. According to ZipRecruiter data from June 2024, the national average salaries for NP specialties in New York are in the table below.

Average Salaries for NPs in New York
OccupationHourly SalaryAnnual Salary
Adult-gerontology primary care NP (AGNP)$66$136,323
Psychiatric-mental health NP (PMHNP)$72$149,092
Family NP (FNP)$70$145,970
Pediatric NP (PNP)$64$133,886
Emergency NP (ENP)$116$241,550
Source: ZipRecruiter, June 2024

Using Our Rankings: What to Look for in an NP Program

There are several important factors to consider when searching for the New York NP programs that best meet your needs. The data points below contribute to our overall best NP programs in New York rankings to help you best compare programs.

Admission Requirements

Reviewing the admission requirements for each prospective program helps you know if you qualify. Common admission requirements include a minimum GPA, registered nurse (RN) licensure status, and RN experience.


Specializations

When comparing programs, consider the type of specialization offered. Before enrolling in a specific program, choose a specialization track you’re interested in, as each specialty requires different graduation and time requirements.


Program Curriculum

The NP curriculum emphasizes the professional expertise needed for specialty care practice in various healthcare settings. Examples of NP courses include advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health promotion, and disease prevention. However, each program has a unique course curriculum, so exploring which classes each program offers is essential.


Clinical Experience

All NP programs have clinical requirements but may differ in format. Although all schools require specific practicum hours, the number of hours per week varies by institution.

In New York, 500 supervised clinical hours are required for NP students to complete and fulfill their clinical requirements.


Accreditation

Accredited nursing programs have undergone a review process examining aspects such as professors, curriculum, required clinical hours, and course material. Many employers prefer graduates from accredited programs. In addition, state mandates for certified NPs usually require that nurses attend accredited programs.


Program Length

It usually takes 6-8 years to become an NP. This includes earning a BSN, gaining clinical RN experience, and earning a graduate degree. Direct-entry MSN specialty programs usually take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis and up to 48 months if studying part-time.


School NCLEX Pass Rate

Although nurses accepted into NP programs have already taken the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a school’s NCLEX pass rate demonstrates the quality of the nursing school and how well it prepares students for a career in nursing.


School Graduation Rate

Graduation rates are important when considering the right NP program in New York. The number of students who completed the program in the past indicates the program’s success.


Online Learning Format and Requirements

Another factor to consider is whether you want to attend an in-person or online NP program. Attending an online program can be faster and more convenient, particularly for working students. However, it is essential to check out the program’s format. For example, some programs offer live courses, while others offer recorded lectures you can view when convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Nurse Practitioner Programs

Once a student earns a BSN, the average time to complete an NP program is 1-2 years full-time, 3–4 years if the student decides to go part-time.