An LPN in New York earns a median wage in the mid-$50,000s, while RNs clear well into the $90,000s, a gap of roughly $35,000 to $40,000 a year that keeps bridge-program seats in demand across the state. That spread, combined with hospitals tightening BSN-preferred hiring for staff roles, creates a real tradeoff for working LPNs: move fast through an ADN and sit for the NCLEX sooner, or commit extra semesters to a BSN that opens Magnet-hospital and charge-nurse doors later.
CUNY, SUNY, and private schools across New York structure these bridges differently, with tuition, seat availability, and clinical placement varying sharply by region and format.
For LPNs already carrying full patient loads, the deciding factor usually isn't ambition. It's which pathway their schedule, transcript, and local job market can actually support.
Top New York LPN to RN/BSN Programs by NCLEX Pass Rate
New York's LPN to RN options range from 12-month accelerated associate degrees to hybrid tracks with weekday, evening, and weekend clinicals built around a working nurse's schedule. Most of the schools below hold ACEN accreditation and post first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in the 90s. Graduation and retention figures on each card are institution-wide and describe the whole college, not the bridge cohort alone, and program-level earnings for bridge graduates are not yet published.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and completion rates first
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program completion and accreditation
- In-state tuition and net cost
- Flexible formats for working nurses
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Cayuga County Community College
Cayuga Community College offers an ACEN-accredited LPN to RN option in the Finger Lakes, and it is unusually generous about what licensed practical nurses can skip. LPNs with a year of hands-on care can waive roughly 30 clinical hours and lab skills after passing a competency check, then finish the 64-credit associate degree with classroom and clinical work at Auburn Community Hospital. Day and evening classes run on the Auburn and Fulton campuses with academic coaching built in. The college's overall graduation rate sits near 30 percent, an institution-wide figure rather than a bridge-cohort number.
- ACEN-accredited associate degree, 64 total credit hours
- LPNs may waive NURS 101 clinicals (about 30 hours) after a skills check
- Requires one year of hands-on care experience and a 2.5 GPA
- Clinicals every other weekend at sites like Auburn Community Hospital
- Day and evening courses on the Auburn and Fulton campuses
- Two letters of recommendation and a $0 application fee
- Nursing Boot Camp before fall classes
- Personalized academic coaching for health majors
LPN to RN Associate Degree in Nursing — On-Campus
CUNY LaGuardia Community College
CUNY LaGuardia's LPN to RN bridge is a focused, campus-based route in Long Island City that places licensed practical nurses into the final clinical year of the RN associate degree rather than at the beginning. The bridge itself is a 3-credit lecture course in medical-surgical and pharmacological nursing built around the nursing process and care planning. Admission is specific and strict: the ATI TEAS must be taken remotely, no in-person scores count, and candidates need at least 58.7 percent on each of the four sections. Graduates of LaGuardia's own practical nursing certificate are explicitly invited back into the pathway.
- ACEN-accredited bridge into the final year of the RN associate degree
- 3-credit lecture course in medical-surgical and pharmacological nursing
- Requires the New York State LPN to RN transition course first
- ATI TEAS must be taken remotely; in-person scores are not accepted
- Score at least 58.7 percent on each TEAS section, Proficient overall
- Two TEAS attempts allowed for LPN to RN candidates
- Prerequisite courses required before the bridge course
- Lecture format on the Long Island City campus
LPN to RN Bridge Course (Advanced Standing Pathway), Associates — On-Campus
Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College runs one of the few true 12-month LPN to RN tracks in New York, awarding an Associate of Science in Nursing after a compressed year that opens with two six-week summer courses. Clinicals can be scheduled on weeknights or weekends, a rare accommodation for Long Island LPNs who keep working, and students can earn prior-learning credit for their LPN coursework. Suffolk County residents receive admissions preference, and a joint agreement with Farmingdale State College guarantees a seat in an online RN to BS completion program after licensure.
- 12-month accelerated LPN to RN program starting each summer
- Two intensive six-week summer courses, then classes 2 to 4 days a week
- In-person lectures, labs, and acute care clinical rotations
- Weeknight or weekend clinicals for working LPNs
- Up to 10 bonus admission points for recent acute care experience
- 8.5 prior-learning credits after earning a C+ or better
- Suffolk County residents receive admissions preference
- Guaranteed seat in Farmingdale State's online RN to BS after licensure
Accelerated LPN to RN Associate of Science in Nursing — On-Campus
Finger Lakes Community College
Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua gives working LPNs advanced standing based on their academic record and their score on the NLN Foundations of Nursing exam, trimming redundant coursework from the associate degree. Students log more than 500 clinical hours at regional hospitals including Strong Memorial, and the college reports a 93 percent licensure pass rate with full job placement for recent graduates. Simulation labs, virtual anatomy study, and transfer agreements with four-year colleges round out a practical path toward a BSN.
- ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science in Nursing
- Advanced standing based on academics and the NLN Foundations of Nursing exam
- More than 500 clinical hours at regional hospitals like Strong Memorial
- 93 percent licensure pass rate and 100 percent job placement reported
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- $234 per credit, with financial aid and scholarships available
- Simulation labs, virtual anatomy study, and a student Nursing Club
- Transfer agreements with four-year colleges for BSN completion
Nursing AAS, Accelerated Entry for LPNs, Associates — On-Campus
Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College's two-semester option in Rochester is aimed at LPNs who already hold an active New York license and at least two years of recent clinical experience, most of it in acute care. The program runs full time during the day at the Brighton campus and admits through a quality-point system that weighs prerequisite grades and the NLN-NACE exam. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science, and the program is designed with New York's expectation that RNs complete a BSN within ten years. A success coach is assigned to students once they enroll.
- Two-semester option for currently employed LPNs
- Requires an active NYS LPN license and two years of recent clinical experience
- 2.8 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses in anatomy and microbiology
- NLN-NACE entrance exam required; competitive quality-point admission
- Full-time daytime classes Monday through Friday at the Brighton campus
- January 31 application deadline; fall start only
- Earns an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Success coach assigned; BSN required within ten years in New York
Nursing AAS, Two-Semester Option for Employed LPNs, Associates — On-Campus
Genesee Community College
Genesee Community College in Batavia runs a one-year advanced placement track that blends online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical rotations across Rochester, Buffalo, and Western New York. The program closes with a four-week capstone alongside a one-on-one RN preceptor, and the college reports licensure pass rates above state and national averages. Admission is structured, with a mandatory information session, separate overall and prerequisite GPAs, and defined deadlines for fall and spring starts. Graduates of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES practical nursing program can enter directly into the second year after completing the state transition course.
- ACEN-accredited one-year advanced placement track
- Online coursework with on-campus labs and in-person clinicals
- Clinical sites in Rochester, Buffalo, and Western New York
- Four-week capstone with a one-on-one RN preceptor
- Pass NUR 128 and NUR 129 with a C to earn credit for first-year RN courses
- Overall GPA of 2.0 and support-course GPA of 2.75 required
- Mandatory nursing information session; apply by January 15 or June 15
- Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES PN graduates can enter the second year directly
Advanced Placement LPN to RN (Nursing AAS), Associates — Hybrid
Hudson Valley Community College
Hudson Valley Community College in Troy grants LPNs advanced placement in its associate degree in nursing, letting them skip material they have already mastered and finish in as little as 12 months. A four-part Bridging Education and Practice Simulation series sharpens clinical judgment before students move into small-group rotations at area hospitals. The 65-credit program is ACEN accredited and includes a weekend option for qualified students, though nursing lab fees and books add meaningful cost beyond tuition.
- ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science in Nursing
- Advanced placement for LPNs; finish in as little as 12 months
- 65 total credit hours with full-time and part-time options
- Four-part Bridging Education and Practice Simulation series
- Weekend option for qualified students
- Clinicals in area hospitals with small clinical groups
- Books about $910 and lab fees near $3,000
- Very competitive admission; fall start
Nursing AAS with LPN Advanced Placement, Associates — On-Campus
SUNY Adirondack
SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury compresses the LPN to RN path into three consecutive semesters, anchored by a transition course designed specifically for licensed practical nurses. The ACEN-accredited 66-credit degree pairs simulation lab practice with direct patient care in regional hospitals. Where this school stands out is what comes after licensure: more than 30 seamless RN to BSN transfer agreements, including a SUNY Plattsburgh cohort taught right on the Queensbury campus and an online option through SUNY Empire State.
- ACEN-accredited 66-credit associate degree
- Complete in three consecutive semesters
- LPN transition course required; advanced placement for licensed LPNs
- 2.8 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses
- Fall and spring start dates, two per year
- Simulation labs plus direct patient care in regional hospitals
- More than 30 RN to BSN transfer agreements
- SUNY Plattsburgh RN to BSN taught on the Queensbury campus
Nursing AAS, LPN to RN Pathway, Associates — On-Campus
Rockland Community College
Rockland Community College's LPN Pathway to RN in Suffern is built for students who need to keep working while they study, with full-time and part-time tracks and day or evening classes. Coursework covers patient-centered care, delegation, care coordination, and advocacy within legal and ethical nursing standards, and the program pairs with a 2+2 RN to BSN pathway through SUNY Empire State. On-campus child care and scholarship options ease the logistics for LPNs balancing family and shifts.
- ACEN-accredited nursing program with a dedicated LPN pathway
- Two-year full-time or four-year part-time completion
- Day and evening classes available
- TEAS entrance exam required
- 2+2 RN to BSN pathway with SUNY Empire State
- Financial aid, scholarships, and on-campus child care
- LPN license required for the pathway
- Criminal background check and drug screening required
LPN Pathway to RN (Nursing AAS), Associates — On-Campus
Orange County Community College
SUNY Orange runs its LPN to RN bridge at two Hudson Valley locations, with fall starts in Newburgh and spring starts in Middletown. Admitted LPNs complete a one-week bridge course during winter or summer recess, then enter the second semester with roughly 14 credits of advanced standing. Advanced placement is limited to LPNs licensed within the last five years who hold a 2.75 college GPA and an 85 percent average in their practical nursing program. The nursing department publishes bridge-track outcomes separately from its traditional cohort, which makes the two easy to compare.
- ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science in Nursing
- One-week Nursing Bridge Course during winter or summer recess
- Advanced placement into the second semester, about 14 credits
- 2.75 college GPA plus an 85 percent average in the LPN program
- LPN license earned within the last five years required
- Fall start in Newburgh, spring start in Middletown
- ATI TEAS required, along with a separate LPN to RN application
- Bridge-track outcomes published separately from the traditional cohort
LPN to RN Bridge (Nursing AAS), Associates — On-Campus
How We Ranked These Programs
Some rankings lean heavily on reputation surveys, while ours, like the Best LPN Programs in New York 2026 list, prioritizes measurable outcomes that matter most to working LPNs investing time and tuition in a bridge program.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates Drive the Score
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates account for roughly three-quarters of each program's composite score. We pull program-level results from the New York State Education Department's publicly posted tables, which cover 2023 through 2025, weighting each year by the number of test-takers so that larger cohorts carry proportionally more influence. This approach rewards consistent performance over time rather than a single standout year.
Secondary Factors
The remaining quarter of each score considers accreditation status and institutional metrics:
- Accreditation: Programs holding ACEN or CCNE accreditation, the standard for Accredited LPN and RN Programs, receive credit for meeting nationally recognized educational standards.
- Completion and retention: Where federal data is available, we factor in how many students finish on time and how many persist from one year to the next.
What We Don't Measure
Honest rankings require honest limits. Ours does not incorporate student satisfaction surveys, faculty-to-student ratios, or clinical site variety. Those elements matter, but they rely on self-reported or inconsistent data that varies widely across institutions. We also cannot separate bridge-cohort pass rates from traditional ADN or BSN cohorts at most schools, because NYSED reports at the program level rather than by pathway.
Where the Data Comes From
NCLEX-RN results originate from NYSED's Office of the Professions and align with jurisdiction-level statistics published by NCSBN. Readers wanting to verify figures can access the state's annual results tables directly through the NYSED website.
LPN to ADN vs. LPN to BSN: Choosing the Right Bridge Pathway
New York LPNs weighing bridge programs face a fundamental choice: earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) for a faster path to the NCLEX-RN, or invest more time in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) that aligns with Magnet hospital preferences and the state's "BSN in 10" legislative push. Several CUNY and SUNY colleges offer the ADN track, while private institutions such as Molloy University and Pace University tend to house the BSN option.
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Program Costs and Financial Aid at CUNY, SUNY, and Private Schools
The table below compares published tuition and estimated net price across the New York LPN to RN and LPN to BSN bridge programs in our ranking. Net price figures are institution-wide averages drawn from federal data and reflect grant aid received by typical full-time undergraduates; your actual cost as a bridge student may be higher or lower depending on part-time enrollment, credits transferred from your LPN program, and individual aid packages. Schools with a higher share of students receiving Pell Grants generally serve a larger proportion of students with demonstrated financial need, which can signal strong financial aid accessibility. As a rule of thumb, CUNY and SUNY community colleges cluster well below $10,000 in net price, while private institutions can run two to four times that amount, making the public systems a particularly cost-effective path for working LPNs.
| School | Sector | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price | Pell Grant Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk County Community College | SUNY | $6,630 | $12,460 | $5,258 | 72% |
| Kingsborough Community College | CUNY | $5,252 | $8,132 | $5,606 | 95% |
| LaGuardia Community College | CUNY | $5,218 | $8,098 | $6,120 | 96% |
| Orange County Community College | SUNY | $6,526 | $12,334 | $6,794 | 71% |
| Corning Community College | SUNY | $6,534 | $10,326 | $7,373 | 75% |
| Genesee Community College | SUNY | $5,900 | $6,500 | $8,334 | 79% |
| SUNY Adirondack | SUNY | $6,844 | $9,616 | $10,389 | 74% |
| Monroe College | Private | $18,464 | $18,464 | $14,522 | 88% |
| Utica University | Private | $26,930 | $26,930 | $19,108 | 46% |
| Molloy University | Private | $39,790 | $39,790 | $24,347 | 46% |
| Berkeley College (New York) | Private | $29,800 | $29,800 | $34,124 | 87% |
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates and Earnings Outcomes by School
Choosing an LPN to RN bridge program based on NCLEX-RN pass rates and post-graduation earnings can help you predict both your licensure success and financial return. New York programs vary enough in these two measures to change where you should apply.
Understanding NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
The New York State Education Department publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates annually, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing reports that the national average among first-time U.S.-educated candidates hovers near 87 percent. In New York, the statewide average typically falls within a few points of that benchmark.
A program that consistently exceeds 85 to 90 percent signals robust exam preparation, faculty support, and curriculum alignment with current NCLEX test plans. Several New York bridge programs advertise strong results. Genesee Community College reports a 95.9 percent pass rate, while SUNY Adirondack lists 96 percent. These figures place both schools well above state and national averages.
If a program falls below the state average for multiple years, that pattern warrants caution. Ask admissions counselors for trend data, not just a single year's snapshot, because temporary dips can occur during faculty transitions or curriculum updates.
Earnings After Graduation
Program-level earnings data for New York bridge programs is incomplete in federal reporting systems, so direct comparisons across schools are limited. However, general wage data illustrates the financial upside of completing the transition from LPN to RN, as the CNA vs LPN vs RN comparison highlights.
In the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean hourly wage of approximately $53 for registered nurses compared to roughly $33 for licensed practical nurses. That difference translates to an annual gap of around $40,000 or more for full-time workers.
Nationally, RN wages at the 10th percentile start near $69,000 and reach approximately $137,000 at the 90th percentile in 2025. LPNs nationally earn between roughly $46,000 and $78,000 annually across the same range as of 2023. Even at entry level, new RNs in New York typically out-earn experienced LPNs, making the bridge investment worthwhile within the first year or two of practice.
Using This Data
Prioritize programs with pass rates above 90 percent when possible, and factor in total program cost against expected wage gains. A $10,000 to $25,000 tuition investment that produces a $40,000 annual raise represents a compelling return on investment.
Salary Insight
Online, Hybrid, and Campus-Based Format Options for Working LPNs
Working LPNs in New York can choose from online, hybrid, and campus-based bridge formats depending on shift schedules and commute. Campus-based options remain the most structured: Monroe College runs a 12-month LPN to RN program with Fall and Spring starts, while NYU Rory Meyers offers a 15-month campus-based pathway with a March 15 application deadline. Molloy University’s Accelerated RN-BS Completion LPN-BS is a hybrid program that can run 16-20 months, blending online coursework with on-site requirements. The SUNY New York State Coalition’s LPN to RN Transition is delivered online, which can help nurses keep working while completing coursework. AMG’s RN Bridge Program adds day and evening scheduling for New York LPNs who need off-shift classes.
Not every campus-based or hybrid program follows the same calendar. SUNY Adirondack’s LPN to RN starts in Fall and Spring and requires 66 credits with a 2.8 minimum GPA; its first-time pass rate is 96% and the program holds ACEN accreditation. SUNY Jefferson’s LPN to RN Pathway sets a January 31 application deadline. Utica College uses January, May, and August starts, while the University of Mount Saint Vincent and the University of Rochester offer January, May, and September entry points. Manhattanville College lists campus-based delivery, and Touro NYSCAS begins Fall 2026.
For LPNs weighing a bridge program around employment, online and hybrid formats often leave more room for clinical coordination and professional growth; a flexible schedule can still prepare you for Leadership Opportunities for LPNs after licensure. If your longer-term plan includes a specialized role, look for programs with strong clinical placement support as you pursue Specialty Certification for LPNs.
Admission Requirements, Credit Transfer, and Realistic Timelines
How long does it actually take to go from LPN to RN, or LPN to BSN, in New York? The honest answer depends on your prior coursework, your GPA, and whether you can attend full-time.
What Programs Expect at Entry
Most bridge programs share a common admissions checklist: an active, unencumbered NYS LPN license, completed prerequisites in anatomy and physiology and microbiology, a minimum cumulative GPA (often 3.0), and an entrance exam. Molloy University, for example, requires a 3.0 GPA or an 83.0 practical nursing program average, plus the ATI TEAS with at least 72% on the math section. Score lower and you're routed into a remedial math course you must pass on the first attempt to continue. Bronx Community College's LPN pathway sets its own bar: a 2.7 GPA and TEAS section minimums of 41.3%, with an overall score of 50%.1
How Advanced Standing Credit Works
Bridge programs generally award credit for prior LPN coursework and clinical hours rather than making you repeat it, though the amount varies by school. Kingsborough Community College grants credit for prior learning on three nursing courses, moving qualified LPNs through clinical requirements in three semesters instead of a full associate timeline.2 Molloy evaluates transfer and advanced standing case by case, with science courses accepted only if completed within the past 10 years. Lehman College caps transfer credit at 90 total, with up to 70 from community colleges, which matters if you're stacking an associate degree en route to a bachelor's.3
Realistic Timelines
LPN-to-ADN programs in New York typically run 9 to 15 months once advanced standing is applied. LPN-to-BSN tracks run longer, generally 18 to 30 months, depending on full-time versus part-time enrollment and how many prerequisites you're carrying in.
NYC-Area BSN Options
In the city, direct LPN-to-BSN options are limited. Molloy's LPN-to-BS pathway remains campus-based with individualized credit review. Pace University doesn't offer a standalone LPN-to-BSN; LPNs typically need RN licensure first, then enter Pace's online RN-BS completion track, which requires a 3.0 GPA4 and accepts up to 30 nursing credits toward the 60 needed.5 CUNY schools, including Hunter, Lehman, and the College of Staten Island, follow a similar RN-first model rather than admitting LPNs directly into BSN completion.678
Steps to RN Licensure After Completing a Bridge Program in New York
Once you graduate from an NYSED-approved LPN to RN bridge program, the path to your RN license follows a clear sequence. Budget roughly $143 in state fees plus the separate NCLEX registration cost, and plan for several weeks of processing time. Note that as of 2026, New York has not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your New York RN license is valid only in this state. You will need a separate license to practice in any other jurisdiction.
