Buffalo, New York is one of the nation’s best places to start a nursing career. The city boasts a population of almost 12,000 registered nurses (RNs) with an impressive median annual salary of $68,330. Buffalo is also home to 4,210 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earning $38,250 per year and 5,760 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) earning $28,660 per year. While the opportunity for success in the city is promising, nurses must demonstrate the ability to juggle numerous demanding tasks in order to land a positon at a top local hospital or healthcare provider. This can only be accomplished with the right education and training.

RNs treat patients, administer medications, operate medical equipment, and establish care plans for the sick or injured. RNs typically hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); many also pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN). Buffalo’s top healthcare employers frequently prefer nurses with a BSN or MSN degree.

LPNs record vital signs, clean and monitor equipment, and dress wounds. CNAs provide hands-on patient care and perform routine tasks such as feeding and bathing patients. LPNs must complete a 12- to 18-month certificate program, while CNAs require a shorter certificate program of several weeks to a few months in length.

Graduates of Buffalo’s top nursing schools are prepared to seek positions at the city’s major hospitals and healthcare providers, including Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo General Medical Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and VA Western New York Healthcare System.

Below we’ve compiled a list of Buffalo nursing schools that offer some of the city’s best CNA, LPN, ADN, BSN, and MSN programs.

Buffalo nursing schools by NCLEX score

Niagara County Community College
3111 Saunders Settlement Road | Sanborn, New York 14132
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 98.3% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 88.3% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
University at Buffalo
12 Capen Hall | Buffalo, New York 14260
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN: 97.5% NCLEX pass rate (2017 through 2021)
  • Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 91.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthetist
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Niagara Falls
606 Sixth Street | Niagara Falls, New York 14301
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 96.6% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Lockport
50 Main Street | Lockport, New York 14094
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 95.2% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2020)
SUNY Erie - City
121 Ellicott Street | Buffalo, New York 14203
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 94.6% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
SUNY Erie - North
6205 Main Street | Williamsville, New York 14221
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 89.6% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Erie 1 BOCES - West Seneca
705 Potter Road | West Seneca, New York 14224
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 85.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Erie 1 BOCES - Cheektowaga
1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 200 | Cheektowaga, New York 14225
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 82.6% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
D'Youville College
320 Porter Avenue | Buffalo, New York 14201
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 78.6% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Niagara University
5795 Lewiston Road | Niagara University, New York 14109
  • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 78.0% NCLEX pass rate (2013 through 2020)
  • Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 68.8% NCLEX pass rate (2015 through 2021)
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN: 58.2% NCLEX pass rate (2015 through 2021)
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Angola
8685 Erie Road | Angola, New York 14006
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 71.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2019)
Trocaire College
360 Choate Avenue | Buffalo, New York 14220
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 71.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 60.0% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Buffalo
175 Jefferson Avenue | Buffalo, New York 14210
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 61.0% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Bryant & Stratton College
200 Redtail Road | Orchard Park, New York 14127
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Daemen College
4380 Main Street | Amherst, New York 14226
  • Certificate in Oncology Nursing Perspectives for the International RN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Palliative Care
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School Program NCLEX score Time period
Niagara County Community College Certificate in Practical Nursing 98.3% 2012 to 2021
Associate Degree in Nursing 88.3% 2012 to 2021
University at Buffalo Accelerated Second Degree BSN 97.5% 2017 to 2021
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing 91.8% 2012 to 2021
DNP: Nurse Anesthetist
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Baccalaureate DNP
Post-Baccalaureate PhD
Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Niagara Falls Certificate in Practical Nursing 96.6% 2012 to 2021
Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Lockport Certificate in Practical Nursing 95.2% 2012 to 2020
SUNY Erie - City Associate Degree in Nursing 94.6% 2012 to 2021
SUNY Erie - North Associate Degree in Nursing 89.6% 2012 to 2021
Erie 1 BOCES - West Seneca Certificate in Practical Nursing 85.5% 2012 to 2021
Erie 1 BOCES - Cheektowaga Certificate in Practical Nursing 82.6% 2012 to 2021
D'Youville College Bachelor of Science in Nursing 78.6% 2012 to 2021
Doctor of Nursing Practice
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Baccalaureate DNP
Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Niagara University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing 78.0% 2013 to 2020
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing 68.8% 2015 to 2021
Accelerated Second Degree BSN 58.2% 2015 to 2021
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Angola Certificate in Practical Nursing 71.8% 2012 to 2019
Trocaire College Associate Degree in Nursing 71.5% 2012 to 2021
Certificate in Practical Nursing 60.0% 2012 to 2021
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Buffalo Certificate in Practical Nursing 61.0% 2012 to 2021
Bryant & Stratton College RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Daemen College Certificate in Oncology Nursing Perspectives for the International RN
Doctor of Nursing Practice
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nursing Administration
MSN: Nursing Education
MSN: Palliative Care
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
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New York