Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in New York
- 50
- Schools
- $59,841
- Avg. Earnings
- 52%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,488
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,226
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $38,276 to $131,426, a 3.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Hunter College delivers the most for the money: roughly $63,163 in median earnings against $2,984 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, CUNY Hunter College ($2,984 net price), still posts $63,163 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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New York University graduates 88% of its students, versus a 52% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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CUNY Hunter College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.17× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 CUNY Lehman College ($58,013 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($131,426), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- CUNY Hunter College costs $2,984 a year and New York University costs $37,050. Yet their graduates earn $63,163 and $82,509, nowhere near the $34,066 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Hunter College beats Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with CUNY Hunter College and New York University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $58K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CUNY Lehman College #1 overall | $58,013 ▼ -3% vs avg | $3,148 | 50% | 94 |
| 2 CUNY York College #2 overall | $56,945 ▼ -5% vs avg | $4,456 | 31% | 92 |
| 3 Wagner College #3 overall | $74,360 ▲ +24% vs avg | $28,241 | 67% | 91 |
| $52,055 ▼ -13% vs avg | $14,072 | 47% | 88 | |
| $63,163 ▲ +6% vs avg | $2,984 | 59% | 87 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in New York
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,841 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 52% and an average net price of $17,488.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Hunter College — Net Price: $2,984 | Graduation Rate: 59%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: New York University — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $131,426
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$58,194
Median earnings (10yr)
56%
Median graduation rate
$17,689
Median net price
3.5%
Avg. mobility rate
The healthcare workforce pipeline starts in classrooms and clinical rotations like the ones behind this list. An aging population, persistent nursing shortages, and rising demand for clinical services have made these programs essential infrastructure. The strongest ones stand out on clinical partnerships and licensure outcomes, the two factors that translate most directly into hiring.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 56%. Median graduate earnings reach $58,194 ten years after enrollment, roughly $10,194 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $17,689 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $20,000. Some 37% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 3.5%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. CUNY Lehman College leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $58,194 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
CUNY Lehman College lands at #1 with a 94/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
CUNY York College lands at #2 with a 92/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Wagner College lands at #3 with a 91/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $74,360 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,241 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Mercy University lands at #4 with a 88/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,055 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,072 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
CUNY Hunter College lands at #5 with a 87/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #6
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #6 with a 86/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $131,426 a decade after enrolling, 120% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,882 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Adelphi University lands at #7 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $75,482 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Long Island University lands at #8 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $59,950 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,062 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Mount Saint Mary College lands at #9 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $67,705 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,522 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi lands at #10 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $51,629 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,225 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
New York University lands at #11 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of Mount Saint Vincent lands at #12 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $65,756 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,696 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Utica University lands at #13 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,277 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,108 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
D'Youville University lands at #14 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $66,942 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,433 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Molloy University lands at #15 with a 81/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $77,789 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,347 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Brooklyn, NY · 80% accepted · $5,127 net
Why it ranks #16
CUNY New York City College of Technology lands at #16 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $49,365 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,127 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Pace University lands at #17 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $70,378 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,892 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
SUNY College of Technology at Canton lands at #18 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $47,860 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,268 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Manhattanville University lands at #19 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $58,832 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,991 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #20 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Rochester lands at #21 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $79,042 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
St. Joseph's University-New York lands at #22 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,905 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,035 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Binghamton University lands at #23 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $80,596 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Roberts Wesleyan University lands at #24 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $55,031 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,130 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
New York Institute of Technology lands at #25 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $70,080 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,443 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
North Country Community College lands at #26 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $38,276 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,868 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Stony Brook University lands at #27 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $74,502 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,784 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #28
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #28 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,403 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,156 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Keuka College lands at #29 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $58,289 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,338 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred lands at #30 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,445 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,016 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Rockland Community College lands at #31 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,243 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,282 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Fulton-Montgomery Community College lands at #32 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $39,535 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,696 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #33 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $46,498 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,718 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
SUNY Brockport lands at #34 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,496 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,353 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Orange County Community College lands at #35 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $44,117 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,794 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
CUNY Bronx Community College lands at #36 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $41,307 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,462 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Farmingdale State College lands at #37 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $69,781 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,867 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Hudson Valley Community College lands at #38 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $45,460 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,501 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
St. Francis College lands at #39 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,099 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,129 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Niagara University lands at #40 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $56,196 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,248 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Genesee Community College lands at #41 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $39,674 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,334 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Hartwick College lands at #42 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $61,107 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Niagara County Community College lands at #43 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,285 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,876 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Touro University lands at #44 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $53,419 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,627 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
SUNY Broome Community College lands at #45 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $39,710 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,940 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
CUNY LaGuardia Community College lands at #46 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $41,653 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,120 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Suffolk County Community College lands at #47 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $49,907 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,258 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
St. John Fisher University lands at #48 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $66,944 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,945 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Daemen University lands at #49 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,808 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,693 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Hofstra University lands at #50 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $69,039 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,176 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing college in New York involves more than just picking a name off a list. These institutions share a commitment to preparing students for rewarding careers in healthcare, an industry that continues to grow. With nursing jobs projected to increase by 6% over the next decade, many are weighing their options carefully.
What sets the top nursing programs apart are their outcomes. Metrics like earnings, graduation rates, and student debt reveal a lot about what students can expect after graduation. In this ranking, we highlight schools that excel in these areas, giving you a clearer picture of which programs could offer a solid return on your investment.
Take CUNY Lehman College, for instance, with average earnings of $58,013 and a graduation rate of 50%, compared to CUNY New York City College of Technology, which shows lower earnings at $49,365 and a graduation rate of just 20%. These contrasts illustrate the importance of selecting a program that aligns with your career goals and financial circumstances.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 42 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.5%. CUNY Lehman College leads the group at 10.2%, with Pace University (8.4%) and CUNY Brooklyn College (8.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 14.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bronx Community College leads at 41%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 28.3% across this list. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest success rate at 85.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.51 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Adelphi University reaches 1.86, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
CUNY Lehman College outperforms CUNY New York City College of Technology in key metrics, achieving average earnings of $58,013 compared to $49,365. The graduation rate at Lehman is also 50%, significantly higher than the 20% at City Tech. This suggests that Lehman not only prepares students for better-paying jobs but supports them through to graduation more effectively.
After reviewing these 50 schools, it’s essential to consider what matters most to you. Think about location, financial aid options, and the specific nursing programs available. If earning potential is a priority, schools like Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences should be on your radar, even if the upfront costs are higher. Aligning your personal values with the data will help you make an informed choice.
Ultimately, the decision about where to study nursing can shape not just your career but your entire life trajectory. As we see from the earnings and debt figures, a well-chosen program can lead to financial stability and growth. One family's choice to invest in a nursing education today could mean a safer, more secure future tomorrow.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in New York ranking? +
CUNY Lehman College in Bronx, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $58,013 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 50% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest median earnings on this list: $131,426 ten years after enrollment, well above the $59,841 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Hunter College leads: graduates earn a median $63,163 against net price of about $2,984 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
New York University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 52% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $17,488 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in New York ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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