The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024
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Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty ImagesIf you are considering nurse practitioner (NP) programs in New York, you may have questions about the admissions process, what to expect during your clinicals, or how to find the best accredited nurse practitioner programs. Another important factor for many prospective NP students is how to pay for graduate school.
Learn more about potential careers as a nurse practitioner, applying to NP programs, and paying for your graduate-level education. Then, explore the top five NP programs in New York.
Featured Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn More About the Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in New York in 2024
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,265
- Out-of-state$50,265
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled10,243
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
Wagner College
- Staten Island, NY
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$48,730
- Out-of-state$48,730
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled1,958
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- Utica, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$17,830
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled2,850
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
- Brooklyn, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$17,830
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled2,117
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Brockport
- Brockport, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$16,980
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled6,991
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Mercy College
- Dobbs Ferry, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$19,920
- Out-of-state$19,920
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled8,772
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- AccreditationYes
Pace University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$46,978
- Out-of-state$46,978
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled13,479
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment58%
- AccreditationYes
Long Island University
- Brookville, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,296
- Out-of-state$37,296
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled15,191
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment2%
- AccreditationYes
College of Mount Saint Vincent
- Bronx, NY
- 4 year
- Campus
- 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
Once you find the right nurse practitioner program, it is important to understand the admission requirements for a successful enrollment. Generally, you need to have earned your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and possess an unencumbered RN license.
Admission Materials
The admission requirements depend on the school and the type of program. For example, prerequisites for an RN-to-MSN degree nurse practitioner program include an associate degree in nursing (ADN), an unencumbered RN license, a 3.0 or higher GPA, and at least one year of nursing experience.
A BSN-to-master of science in nursing (MSN) program is more common and usually requires a BSN in nursing, an unencumbered RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and at least one year of clinical experience.
GPA Requirement
Common course requirements for nurse practitioner programs in New York include anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and microbiology prerequisite courses. Other requirements often include an online application and application fee, one or more letters of recommendation, and an in-person or online face-to-face interview.
Many schools do criminal background checks. Some schools require graduate-level test scores, such as GRE or GMAT test scores, but others have waived this requirement.
Other Requirement
The requirement for many nurse practitioner programs is a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Why Is NP Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation is an evaluation process performed by a third party, ensuring academic programs and clinicals meet industry standards. The accreditation process informs prospective students about the overall quality of programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is the accrediting body for MSN programs.
Every program listed in our top-ranked nurse practitioner programs in New York is accredited.
There are many reasons you should only consider an accredited NP program, including:
- The accreditation process ensures the quality of nurse practitioner programs.
- Credits from unaccredited schools often cannot be transferred to NP programs.
- Graduates of accredited nursing programs meet the national standards for nursing practice.
- Accreditation assures that nursing programs provide the curriculum and clinical experience required to pass NP certification tests in their respective fields of study, such as family practice nurse practitioners.
- MSN programs may not accept non-accredited undergraduate degrees.
- The federal government may not provide financial aid to students attending unaccredited NP programs.
- It is possible to secure a better job with an accredited MSN degree.
Paying for Nurse Practitioner Programs
There are many factors involved in attending a nurse practitioner program in New York that impact a student’s finances and ability to pay out-of-pocket for tuition, including:
- A flexible schedule that allows students to work while continuing their education
- The overall length of the program
- Private vs. state colleges and universities (private schools are usually more expensive)
- In-state vs. out-of-state tuition
- Living on campus vs. off campus
- Cost of living expenses in the school’s geographic area
For students unable to pay out-of-pocket for graduate school, there are many financial aid resources for nurses. This includes nursing scholarships and grants. Federal loans and grants are available to nurses enrolled in accredited nurse practitioner programs in New York to help them finance their nursing degrees.
What Can You Do with a Degree from a Florida Nurse Practitioner Program?
There are a variety of specialty tracks and concentrations, each with unique opportunities and salary potentials. Most specializations prepare nurses for certification in their respective fields of study.
Many MSN-level nurse practitioner programs prepare students to become certified NPs in various practice areas. For example, one in-demand area is family nurse practitioner (FNP). An FNP certification prepares graduates to work in primary care, a critically underserved area for skilled advanced practice RNs. The type of specialty program you pursue can also impact the program length.
According to ZipRecruiter data accessed in December 2023, the national average for a few popular specialties includes:
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner: $65 per hour/$134,670 annual salary
- Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner: $43 per hour/$90,330 annual salary
- Family nurse practitioner: $63 per hour/$130,300 annual salary
Using Our Rankings: What to Look for in an NP Program
There are several important factors to consider when searching for the New York nurse practitioner program that best meets 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 for the program. Common admission requirements include a minimum GPA, registered nurse (RN) licensure status, and RN experience.
Specializations
The type of specialization offered will be a primary consideration when comparing programs. Before enrolling in a specific MSN or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program, you must choose which career path you want to pursue, as each specialty requires different graduation and time requirements.
Program Curriculum
The nurse practitioner curriculum emphasizes the professional expertise needed for specialty care practice in various healthcare settings. Examples of NP courses include pharmacology, health promotion, and disease prevention. But each program has a unique course curriculum, so it’s essential to explore which classes each program requires.
Clinical Experience
All NP programs have clinical requirements, but many differ in format. For example, although all schools require specific practicum hours, the number of hours an NP program mandates per week varies by institution. If students can set up their clinical practicums, explore whether the school assists with clinical placements.
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 RNs 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 factors 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
Deciding whether you want to attend an in-person or online nursing program is another factor to consider. Attending a program online can be convenient, particularly for working students. However, it is essential to check out the format of the program. For example, some programs have all synchronous courses that are live, while others combine synchronous with asynchronous (the ability to do coursework on your schedule) courses.
If you must go online and attend classes at specific times of day, it’s important to ensure the online schedule is compatible with your work and family obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Nurse Practitioner Programs
Once a student earns a BSN, the average time to complete an MSN nurse practitioner program is 1-2 years. A DNP program takes 3-6 years to complete.
To become a nurse practitioner in New York, you must earn a BSN degree, pass the NCLEX-RN, and gain at least a year of work experience working as an RN.
Next, you must graduate from an MSN or a DNP program and get NP state licensure and national board certification.
The salary for an NP in New York can vary depending on factors, such as the area of practice, whether you are certified, what type of degree you have (MSN or DNP), and the geographic location within the state.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for NPs is $121,610 annually; the 10th percentile earns $87,340 annually, and the 90th percentile has a yearly salary of $165,240.
Students must graduate from an accredited MSN or doctoral nursing program. The program must offer a specialty track/concentration for specific types of nurse practitioner certifications.
Related Resources
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by NurseJournal. Page last reviewed on October 10, 2022.