5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in New York 2025

To become a registered nurse (RN) in New York, you need to complete a nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Unfortunately, nursing programs can often be very competitive.

New York is expected to see a huge demand for nurses in the future, but currently, there's a huge demand for nursing programs. Choosing one of the easy nursing programs to get into can help increase your chances of getting into nursing school. Keep reading to learn about the easiest nursing schools to get into in New York.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in New York?

Nursing schools in New York appear to be very competitive. While most do not offer their acceptance rates, which makes it hard to determine which are the easiest nursing schools to get into, many state upfront that their programs are competitive.

This is usually due to a limited number of spots available and an excess of applicants. As a result, even some of the easiest nursing degrees can have competitive admissions.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for New York Nursing Schools?

The requirements for New York nursing schools can vary slightly, but most require you to have completed specific health science prerequisites, like microbiology and anatomy and physiology, before applying.

Almost all schools set a minimum GPA requirement for admissions. This is usually between 2.5 and 3.0, but can vary from 2.0 to 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Many schools of nursing also require an admissions exam, such as the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) or the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Assessment. Some schools require a minimum test score for admissions.

In addition to prerequisite courses, a minimum GPA, and exam scores, nursing school requirements may include things like letters of recommendation or interviews with the admissions board.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in New York

Very few colleges in New York publish their acceptance rates for nursing programs. As a result, we've crafted the list below based on the minimum admissions requirements for prospective students.

Note also that admissions rates can change from year to year based on the number of applicants a program receives and how many spaces are available. A school with high acceptance rates one year may have lower rates the next.

1. Alfred State College of Technology

Alfred State College of Technology is a public institution in Alfred, NY. It's part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in nursing as well as a registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) option.

The AAS degree requires that students have taken algebra, biology, and chemistry courses. The RN to BSN program offers a direct-entry pathway for graduates of the AAS program, as long as they have a GPA of 2.0 in their nursing courses.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,892 per year (in-state); $16,837 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 82% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and New York State Board of Regents (NYSBR)

2. State University of New York at Delhi

The State University of New York at Delhi offers a pre-licensure associate degree in nursing (ADN) as well as an ADN/BSN dual degree option. Admission requirements for the ADN include coursework in English, math, and science, as well as a high school GPA of at least 85 or a score of at least 65% on the TEAS.

SUNY Delhi, a public college, is located in Delhi, NY. Its College of Nursing has rolling admissions for the ADN and also offers a flexible pathway through the biology program for students who don't yet meet the requirements for the ADN.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,772 per year (in-state); $12,762 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 88% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: MSCHE, ACEN, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and NYSBR

3. Jefferson Community College

Jefferson Community College offers an AAS in nursing that accepts 64 students every year. SUNY Jefferson is a public community college in Watertown, NY.

Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 to apply. The top applicants are selected for the program, and the remaining eligible applicants are placed on a waitlist.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,264 per year (in-state); $11,700 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: MSCHE, ACEN, and NYSBR

4. Niagara County Community College

The ADN at Niagara County Community College prepares students for RN licensure and to succeed in various healthcare settings. It includes 68 hours of courses covering topics like patient care and nursing perspectives.

SUNY Niagara, located in Sanborn, NY, is a public community college. It requires nursing applicants to have completed general education courses and nursing prerequisites with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,894 per year (in-state); $12,030 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: MSCHE, ACEN, and NYSBR

5. Borough of Manhattan Community College

The Borough of Manhattan Community College is a public community college in New York City. It's part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and offers an ADN with evening and weekend class options.

To qualify for this program, students must complete five prerequisite courses with a GPA of at least 2.5. If they are determined to be eligible, they then must take the HESI nursing admissions exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,170 per year (in-state); $8,050 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: MSCHE, ACEN, and NYSBR

How We Rank Schools

Choosing the best nursing schools for this list was tricky, as most nursing schools in New York do not publish their acceptance rates. We focused on associate and bachelor's degrees that lead to RN licensure and that met the following criteria:

• Accreditation: All institutions are regionally accredited, and all nursing programs hold programmatic accreditation
• Admissions requirements: Because we couldn't view acceptance rates, we instead looked at which schools had the easiest minimum requirements for admission
• Program reputation: All programs qualify students for their RN license, and all have a first-time NCLEX pass rate over 80%.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

Nursing degrees are designed to prepare you to succeed as a licensed registered nurse. They include nursing coursework and clinical experiences.

Coursework often covers topics such as patient care (ranging from pediatrics to gerontology), healthcare ethics, mental health, and general nursing concepts. Clinical experiences allow you to get hands-on training.

Most nursing curricula require 60 to 70 credit hours, or about two to three years. For both ADN and BSN degree programs, you'll usually start the nursing curriculum after completing general education and prerequisite courses.

Some schools offer advanced standing options for those with a licensed practical nurse (LPN) license or a bachelor's degree in another field. These are often more focused on clinical experiences.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

Because nursing school is competitive, applying to nursing programs can be daunting. We've answered some frequently asked questions about nursing school below.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Because nursing schools are designed to lead to RN licensure, they have to be rigorous. As a result, they can be kind of hard.

The level of difficulty will depend on your strengths. If you struggle with math, for example, a few early courses in statistics and chemistry may be tricky. If you have a hard time working with people, the clinical experiences might be the hardest.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

Are Online Nursing Schools Easier Than Traditional Programs?

For many students, online nursing schools are easier than on-campus ones. Online options still include rigorous coursework, but they're more flexible, which makes the work easier to complete.

Note that pre-licensure nursing degrees, that is, those designed to lead to RN licensure, won't be fully online. You'll likely have lectures online but need to appear on campus for labs and clinical experiences.

However, many schools offer RN to BSN degrees as online programs, as well as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs online. These usually do still require some amount of in-person clinical experience. The easiest RN to BSN programs online are those that allow you to complete your clinicals where you work.

Can I Get Into Nursing School With a Low TEAS Score?

It is possible to get into nursing school with a low TEAS score, especially if you choose a nursing school that does not require the TEAS or requires a different standardized test. You also have the option to retake the TEAS if you're not happy with your results.

If you're concerned about your TEAS score, try to compensate with good grades. Aim for at least a B in general education and liberal arts courses and get the highest grades you possibly can in your prerequisites.

What Is the Fastest RN Program in New York?

The fastest option for an RN program in New York is an ADN. These usually take two years of full-time study compared to the four years required for a bachelor's degree. With previous college experience or an LPN license, you can finish even faster.

What Is the Job Outlook for Nurses in New York?

The job outlook for nurses in New York is extremely positive. Projections Central expects jobs for registered nurses in New York to increase by 26% by 2032.

Demand will depend partially on where you live. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the NYC metro has the highest employment of registered nurses in the nation. Employment for RNs is lower, though still fairly strong, in the rest of the state.

What Is the Hardest Nursing Class?

The hardest nursing class will depend on your personal strengths and weaknesses.

For some students, the hardest courses are in the prerequisites, like math or organic chemistry. Others may have a harder time with core nursing concepts, especially if you struggle with certain clinical skills or certain patient populations.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

Find the perfect nursing program for you by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific nursing schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.