Depending on whether you attend a public or private school, the type of degree program, and whether you are a resident or non-resident, nursing school can range from quite affordable to very expensive. While there are too many factors involved to provide a precise cost for nursing school, we can offer a range that will be useful during your search.

Tuition costs cover a wide spectrum. Aspiring nurses can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 per semester at a public school to $20,000+ per semester at a private school. Other expenses include $200 to $1,000 per semester for books and supplies; several thousand dollars per semester (at a minimum) for housing; and $2,500-10,000 annually for required health insurance and other living expenses. Students should also squirrel away $143 for nursing exams and licenses in the state of New York.

The good news? Nursing is one of the most lucrative career fields in the healthcare industry, with New York-based nurses earning well over the national average. Registered nurses in the state earn $74,370 per year versus a national average of $65,470. Licensed practical nurses in New York bring home $44,460 in annual salary, well above the national average of $41,450. The $32,700 annual compensation of New York-based nursing assistants also well exceeds the national average of $24,420. This means that no matter your choice of nursing school or program, you can expect an impressive return on your education investment in the state of New York.

Below is a list of New York schools that offer some of the region’s top accredited nursing programs, organized from most to least expensive.

Buffalo

Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Lockport
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $9,900, books and supplies $1,656, room and board $12,250
Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Niagara Falls
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $9,900, books and supplies $1,656, room and board $12,250
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Angola
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,500, books and supplies $950, room and board $6,492
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Buffalo
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,500, books and supplies $950, room and board $6,492
Erie 1 BOCES - Cheektowaga
Certificate in Practical Nursing (13-month program): tuition and fees $8,800, books and supplies $500, room and board $4,056
Erie 1 BOCES - West Seneca
Certificate in Practical Nursing (13-month program): tuition and fees $8,800, books and supplies $500, room and board $4,056
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Lockport Certificate in Practical Nursing 14 months $9,900
Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Niagara Falls Certificate in Practical Nursing 14 months $9,900
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Angola Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,500
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Buffalo Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,500
Erie 1 BOCES - Cheektowaga Certificate in Practical Nursing 13 months $8,800
Erie 1 BOCES - West Seneca Certificate in Practical Nursing 13 months $8,800

Capital District

Capital Region BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $11,650, books and supplies $550, room and board $9,264
Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $10,560, books and supplies $900, room and board $6,377
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Capital Region BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $11,650
Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $10,560

Hudson Valley

Orange-Ulster BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $11,585, books and supplies $800, room and board $11,000
Southern Westchester BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $11,000, books and supplies $500, room and board $11,050
Ulster BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $10,910, books and supplies $240, room and board $6,740
Rockland BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $10,403, books and supplies $500, room and board $11,050
Dutchess BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult) (10-month program): tuition and fees $9,280, books and supplies $650, room and board $9,750
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Orange-Ulster BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $11,585
Southern Westchester BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $11,000
Ulster BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $10,910
Rockland BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $10,403
Dutchess BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult) 10 months $9,280

Long Island

Western Suffolk BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $18,999, books and supplies $1,105
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult) (12-month program): tuition and fees $13,375, books and supplies $1,225, room and board $9,984
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Western Suffolk BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $18,999
Eastern Suffolk BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult) 12 months $13,375

Mohawk Valley

Otsego-Northern Catskills BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $9,720, books and supplies $1,025, room and board $3,910
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $8,825, books and supplies $1,000, room and board $4,990
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Rome
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $6,700, books and supplies $1,520, room and board $8,688
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Utica
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $6,700, books and supplies $1,520, room and board $8,688
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Verona
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $6,700, books and supplies $1,520, room and board $8,688
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Otsego-Northern Catskills BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $9,720
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $8,825
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Rome Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $6,700
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Utica Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $6,700
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Verona Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $6,700

New York City: Queens

New York Medical Career Training Center
Nursing Assistant Certificate (2-month program): tuition and fees $1,448, books and supplies $70
School Program Length Tuition & fees
New York Medical Career Training Center Nursing Assistant Certificate 2 months $1,448

Rochester

Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Daytime) (12-month program): tuition and fees $14,385, books and supplies $0, room and board $8,400
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening) (12-month program): tuition and fees $14,385, books and supplies $0, room and board $8,400
Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Newark
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $14,385, books and supplies $0, room and board $8,400
Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing (20-month program): tuition and fees $11,525, books and supplies $1,225, room and board $16,403
Genesee Valley BOCES - Mount Morris
Certificate in Practical Nursing (15-month program): tuition and fees $10,050, books and supplies $600, room and board $5,700
Genesee Valley BOCES - Rochester
Certificate in Practical Nursing (15-month program): tuition and fees $10,050, books and supplies $600, room and board $5,700
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester Certificate in Practical Nursing (Daytime) 12 months $14,385
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening) 12 months $14,385
Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Newark Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $14,385
Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing Certificate in Practical Nursing 20 months $11,525
Genesee Valley BOCES - Mount Morris Certificate in Practical Nursing 15 months $10,050
Genesee Valley BOCES - Rochester Certificate in Practical Nursing 15 months $10,050

Syracuse

Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $8,450, books and supplies $0, room and board $5,644
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (13-month program): tuition and fees $8,000, books and supplies $0, room and board $13,450
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $8,450
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 13 months $8,000

Other New York cities

Arnot Ogden Medical Center School of Nursing
Associate Degree in Nursing (26-month program): tuition and fees $29,073, books and supplies $2,400, room and board $12,360
Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES - Belmont
Certificate in Practical Nursing (20-month program): tuition and fees $14,740, books and supplies $720, room and board $0
Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES - Olean
Certificate in Practical Nursing (20-month program): tuition and fees $14,740, books and supplies $720, room and board $0
Broome-Tioga BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $10,920, books and supplies $0, room and board $9,165
Genesee Valley BOCES - Batavia
Certificate in Practical Nursing (15-month program): tuition and fees $10,050, books and supplies $600, room and board $5,700
Champlain Valley Educational Services
Certificate in Practical Nursing (10-month program): tuition and fees $9,800, books and supplies $1,352, room and board $8,400
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Ashville
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,500, books and supplies $950, room and board $6,492
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Cassadaga
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,500, books and supplies $950, room and board $6,492
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Fredonia
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,500, books and supplies $950, room and board $6,492
Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Elmira
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,495, books and supplies $993, room and board $5,400
Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Hornell
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,495, books and supplies $993, room and board $5,400
Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Painted Post
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $9,495, books and supplies $993, room and board $5,400
Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $8,105, books and supplies $835, room and board $3,570
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Arnot Ogden Medical Center School of Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing 26 months $29,073
Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES - Belmont Certificate in Practical Nursing 20 months $14,740
Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES - Olean Certificate in Practical Nursing 20 months $14,740
Broome-Tioga BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $10,920
Genesee Valley BOCES - Batavia Certificate in Practical Nursing 15 months $10,050
Champlain Valley Educational Services Certificate in Practical Nursing 10 months $9,800
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Ashville Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,500
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Cassadaga Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,500
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Fredonia Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,500
Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Elmira Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,495
Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Hornell Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,495
Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Painted Post Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $9,495
Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $8,105
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New York