Nursing in New York
New York has 197 nursing schools running 215 board-approved programs, and the median RN program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate was 86.9%. Registered nurses here earn a median of $109,440; nurse practitioners, $153,510. New York is not a compact state. Every figure below names its source and the period it covers.
Nursing Schools in New York
198 of New York’s 215 programs have a published 2025 first-time pass rate. RN programs averaged 84.9% — 1.6 points below the 86.5% national average. Practical nursing programs averaged 85.6%.
| Degree | Programs | Median pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Associate (ADN) | 77 | 87% (73 rated) |
| Bachelor’s (BSN) | 67 | 86.8% (63 rated) |
Both degrees lead to the same RN license. ADN vs BSN, compared nationally →
Highest first-time pass rates (2025)
In-state RN programs. 10 programs tied at 100% — the five with the most nursing graduates are shown. A single year’s rate swings widely for small programs; check the trend before you choose.
- Ulster County Community CollegeAssociate Degree (RN)100%
- Fulton Montgomery Community CollegeAssociate Degree (RN)100%
- Adelphi University - ASDBSBaccalaureate Degree (RN)100%
- Cayuga County Community CollegeAssociate Degree (RN)100%
- Columbia UniversityBaccalaureate Degree (RN)100%
What Nurses Earn in New York
Federal wage survey data (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. The RN median in New York is $11,890 above the $97,550 national median; the NP median is $21,210 above the $132,300 national NP median.
| New York | Registered nurse | Nurse practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $109,440 | $153,510 |
| Median hourly | $52.62 | $73.80 |
| Starting range (10th pct.) | $79,760 | $112,730 |
| Top earners (90th pct.) | $157,090 | $198,060 |
| Employed in state | 205,810 | 22,890 |
Licensing in New York
New York is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A New York license covers New York only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate New York license to practice here (licensure by endorsement).
Either way the license starts the same: graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Fees, processing times, and continuing-education rules are set by the New York board of nursing and change — confirm them with the board directly. The board documents these pass rates came from: 2026-07-12 (live page) (1), 2026-07-12 (live page) (2).
Sources
- First-time NCLEX pass rates by programEach state board of nursing — the exact board documents are linked on every state page · Data: 2025 first-time test takers · Checked
- Program cost, completion, and graduate earningsU.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Checked
- Registered nurse wages and employment (SOC 29-1141)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse practitioner wages and employment (SOC 29-1171)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse Licensure Compact member states and implementation datesNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in New York?
New York has 197 nursing schools running 215 board-approved programs — 146 RN programs and 69 practical nursing programs (state board of nursing list, 2025 pass-rate year).
What is the NCLEX pass rate in New York?
The median New York RN program's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 86.9%, and the average across programs was 84.9% — 1.6 points below the 86.5% national average (2025 first-time test takers, from the state board of nursing).
How much do nurses make in New York?
Registered nurses in New York earn a median of $109,440 a year ($52.62 an hour), $11,890 above the national RN median. Nurse practitioners earn a median of $153,510 (BLS, May 2025).
Is New York a compact nursing state?
New York is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A New York license covers New York only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate New York license to practice here (licensure by endorsement). Source: NCSBN compact map, checked September 17, 2026.
Nursing in other states
Keep going
- Degree pathwayADN vs BSNBoth degrees lead to the same RN license. Here is how associate and bachelor’s programs actually compare on NCLEX pass rates, graduate debt, and earnings.
- GuideADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Program Should You Choose?Compare ADN and prelicensure BSN pathways by time, total cost, admission, clinical logistics, employer expectations, and bridge options—not prestige alone.
- FinderCheapest RN programs in the U.S.The lowest-cost RN programs nationally, with their NCLEX pass rates alongside.
- FinderCompare nursing schoolsPut any nursing programs side by side on pass rate, cost, and outcomes.
- GuideHow Competitive Is Nursing School Admission?Estimate nursing-school competitiveness using seats, qualified applicants, point rubrics, recent cutoffs, attrition, and the parts of your application you can still change.
- Degree pathwayLPN to RNThe pay difference between a practical nurse and a registered nurse, and how practical-nursing and RN programs compare on pass rates, debt, and graduate earnings.