New York at a Glance
Median LPN salary: $67,180/year → Median RN salary: ~$110,000/year (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Your raise: ~$43,000/year | NYC average: $119,600 | Top earners: $157,090+
SUNY/CUNY programs: LaGuardia CC, Kingsborough CC, Nassau CC, Rockland CC, Tompkins Cortland | 205,810 RN jobs statewide
NY State Education Dept (Nursing): op.nysed.gov/nursing · (518) 474-3817 ext. 120
Fastest & Most Affordable LPN to RN Routes in New York
New York's SUNY and CUNY systems are your best value — public college tuition for a credential that qualifies you for $110,000+ union hospital positions. Many NYC bridge programs are competitive (GPA-ranked admission), so strong prerequisite grades matter. Here are the programs we verified.
New York City (CUNY System)
CUNY LaGuardia Community College — LPN to RN Bridge
LaGuardia's bridge is one of the most competitive in NYC — only 25 students admitted per semester, ranked purely by GPA. The program includes a comprehensive SCR 100 bridge course covering med-surg and pharmacology. CUNY tuition is among the lowest in the Northeast. Strong clinical placements at NYC Health + Hospitals and Queens-area facilities.
CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) — LPN to RN Bridge
Kingsborough serves Brooklyn and southern NYC LPNs. The bridge course covers med-surg nursing, pharmacology, and nutrition with emphasis on the nursing process and clinical decision-making. CUNY tuition rates apply — among the most affordable in the metro area.
Suburban New York (SUNY System & Community Colleges)
Nassau Community College — LPN to RN Advanced Standing
Nassau CC offers an advanced standing pathway for LPNs. After challenging Fundamentals of Nursing, you enter the second semester and complete four semesters for your AS degree. The real advantage: the Multi-Award partnership with SUNY Empire State lets you continue directly to a BSN (online) after getting your RN — the entire LPN → RN → BSN pathway mapped out. Long Island clinical placements.
Rockland Community College — LPN to RN Bridge
Rockland CC offers two features that matter for working moms: a direct BSN transfer pathway to SUNY Empire State (online), and on-campus childcare. Knowing your child is in a safe environment on campus while you're in class removes one of the biggest barriers for LPN moms. Serves the lower Hudson Valley / Rockland County area.
Upstate New York
Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing — LPN to RN
Finger Lakes Health College is a hospital-affiliated school serving the rural Finger Lakes region. The 1-year program covers 20 credits of nursing coursework — one of the shortest and most affordable options in upstate New York. Small cohort sizes mean more hands-on faculty attention.
Tompkins Cortland Community College (SUNY) — LPN to RN Transition
TC3 uses the statewide New York State Coalition LPN to RN Transition curriculum, ensuring consistent quality and transferability. Serves the Ithaca / Tompkins County area. SUNY tuition rates.
✅ Pro tip for NYC working moms: Rockland Community College offers on-campus childcare — a rare and invaluable perk. If you're on Long Island, Nassau CC's Multi-Award program with SUNY Empire gives you the clearest LPN → RN → BSN pathway in the state, with the BSN portion entirely online. Both use affordable SUNY/CUNY tuition.
Online Option: Excelsior University (Based in Albany, NY)
Excelsior University is headquartered in Albany and was originally designed for New York nurses. It remains a strong option for upstate LPNs far from SUNY campuses.
Excelsior University — AAS in Nursing (Fully Online)
Excelsior was founded in New York specifically for working adults. All theory online, clinicals at a facility near you. LPNs get 3 credits for active license. Particularly useful for LPNs in the Adirondacks, North Country, or Southern Tier where SUNY nursing programs may be far away.
⚠️ Important: Excelsior's associate-level program does not carry separate ACEN accreditation. Major NYC hospital systems (NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NYC Health + Hospitals) and their unions may prefer ACEN-accredited graduates. If you plan to work in NYC or at a union hospital, stick with CUNY or SUNY programs. Check with your target employer before enrolling.
New York LPN to RN Cost Comparison
SUNY and CUNY offer the best value. Private colleges cost significantly more for the same RN license.
| Program | Type | Estimated Total Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Colleges (NYC) | City University | ~$8,000–$13,000 | Lowest NYC tuition |
| SUNY Community Colleges | State University | ~$8,000–$15,000 | Statewide options |
| Nassau CC (Long Island) | Community College | ~$10,000–$16,000 | BSN pathway with SUNY Empire |
| Finger Lakes Health | Hospital-Based | Less than $10,000 | 1 year, rural |
| Excelsior University | Online (Albany) | ~$7,400–$15,000+ | 100% online + local clinicals |
| Private colleges (various) | Private BSN | ~$37,000–$80,000+ | Higher cost, BSN degree |
Costs estimated based on in-state/in-city tuition rates. CUNY tuition ~$5,206/year; SUNY community colleges ~$5,206–$6,704/year. Financial aid (Pell Grants, NYS TAP, Excelsior Scholarship) can dramatically reduce costs. Always confirm with the school.
New York LPN vs RN Salary: The Biggest Paychecks in the Northeast
New York has some of the highest RN salaries in the country, especially in the NYC metro. Based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data:
| Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Your Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | ~$54,480 | ~$79,760 | +$25,280 |
| Median (typical) | $67,180 | ~$110,000 | +$42,820 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | ~$81,530 | ~$157,090 | +$75,560 |
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025, SOC codes 29-1141 (RN) and 29-2061 (LPN). New York employs approximately 205,810 RNs statewide — second only to California and Texas.
📊 Union advantage: Many NYC hospitals (NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NYC Health + Hospitals) have NYSNA union contracts that guarantee higher base pay, pension benefits, and tuition reimbursement. A union RN position in NYC can start at $95,000+ with a clear salary ladder. Even at CUNY tuition (~$10,000 total), your bridge pays for itself in under 3 months.
Top-paying NY metro areas for RNs: New York City ($119,600 average — highest metro in the country), Long Island ($115,000+), Westchester ($112,000+). Even upstate cities like Albany ($92,000+), Rochester ($87,000+), and Syracuse ($89,850) pay well above the national median. Major employers: NYC Health + Hospitals, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, Northwell Health, NewYork-Presbyterian.
What You Need to Get In (New York Requirements)
Requirements vary by school, but most New York LPN-to-RN bridge programs require:
- Active New York State LPN license (NY is NOT an NLC compact state — you need a specific NY license)
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA: 2.5–2.75 (LaGuardia CUNY requires 2.75; competitive programs rank by GPA)
- Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, English Composition, General Psychology (sciences often must be within 5 years)
- Entrance exam: TEAS with proficient score (most CUNY/SUNY programs) or NLN PAX
- Background check and drug screening
- Current CPR/BLS certification
- Immunizations: MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, annual flu shot, negative TB test
- Personal insurance for clinical settings (required by most NY programs)
⚠️ New York is NOT a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Unlike most states on this site, New York does not participate in the NLC. Your New York RN license is valid only in New York. If you plan to work in neighboring NLC states (New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania), you'll need to apply for licensure by endorsement in those states separately. This may change — NLC legislation has been introduced in NY but not yet passed.
✅ GPA is everything for CUNY/SUNY programs. LaGuardia CC admits only the top 25 students by GPA each semester. Start your prereqs now at any CUNY or SUNY campus, get the highest grades you can, and your GPA ranking determines how quickly you get a seat. The investment in strong prereq grades is the single best thing you can do.
Paying for It: New York Financial Aid
New York has some of the strongest state financial aid in the country. Stack these together:
- Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year (federal). Complete the FAFSA.
- NYS TAP (Tuition Assistance Program): Up to $5,665/year for NY residents at SUNY/CUNY. Income-based — most LPNs qualify.
- Excelsior Scholarship: Covers remaining SUNY/CUNY tuition for families earning under $125,000/year. Must commit to living and working in NY for the same number of years you received the scholarship.
- Employer tuition assistance: NYC Health + Hospitals, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, Northwell Health, and NewYork-Presbyterian all offer tuition reimbursement for employees advancing to RN. Union contracts (NYSNA) often guarantee this benefit.
- 1199SEIU Training Fund: If you're a member of 1199SEIU (the largest healthcare union in the US), their Training and Employment Fund offers tuition assistance for LPN-to-RN programs.
📋 Real math: CUNY tuition (~$5,206/year) minus TAP ($5,665) minus Pell ($7,395) = you could actually receive money back after tuition. The Excelsior Scholarship covers any gap. Many NYC LPNs complete their bridge with $0 out of pocket through stacked state and federal aid. New York has the most generous nursing education funding in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest LPN to RN program in New York?
CUNY community colleges (LaGuardia, Kingsborough) at ~$5,206/year are the cheapest in NYC. Upstate, Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing costs less than $10,000 total. With TAP + Pell + Excelsior Scholarship stacked, many students finish with $0 tuition cost.
How much more do RNs make than LPNs in New York?
Based on BLS 2025 data, NY LPNs earn a median of $67,180/year while RNs earn approximately $110,000/year — a ~$43,000 difference. In NYC, union RN positions start at $95,000+ with guaranteed salary ladders. Top earners exceed $157,000.
Do NYC hospitals have nursing unions?
Yes. NYSNA (New York State Nurses Association) represents RNs at many major NYC hospitals. Union contracts typically guarantee higher base pay, pension benefits, staffing ratios, and tuition reimbursement. 1199SEIU also represents some nursing staff and offers a Training Fund for education.
Can I complete an LPN to RN program entirely online in New York?
No — all programs require in-person clinical hours. Excelsior University (based in Albany) offers fully online theory with clinicals arranged near you. Some CUNY/SUNY programs offer prerequisite courses online, but nursing courses are in-person.
Is New York a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state?
No. New York does NOT participate in the NLC. Your NY RN license is valid only in New York. NLC legislation has been introduced but not yet passed. If you want to work across state lines, you'll need separate licensure in each state.
New York State Education Department — Nursing
NYS Office of the Professions — Nursing
Note: In New York, nursing is regulated by the NY State Education Department, not a separate Board of Nursing. NY RN licenses require registration renewal every 3 years (not 2, unlike most states). New York does not currently require continuing education for RN license renewal, though individual employers may have their own CE requirements.
Find LPN to RN Programs in Other States
Looking for programs outside New York? We have dedicated guides for all 50 states plus Washington D.C.