University of Rochester School of Nursing: Accelerated Pathways, NCLEX & Costs (2026)
Housed in Helen Wood Hall beside UR Medicine, the University of Rochester School of Nursing offers Accelerated BSN (12- and 24-month), Master’s Direct Entry, online RN to BS, and MSN, DNP, and PhD programs—no separate traditional freshman BSN track. This guide cites NYSED first-time NCLEX-RN data for the baccalaureate line labeled “University of Rochester,” 2025–26 tuition from UR SON’s published schedule of charges, and outcomes from the school’s consumer page—confirm deadlines with UR SON and the New York State Education Department.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key takeaway
UR SON is an Apple Distinguished School with the iROC teaching model, more than 650 clinical hours in accelerated pre-licensure tracks, and rotations anchored in UR Medicine. Compare NYSED’s baccalaureate NCLEX line for “University of Rochester” with the school’s public outcomes table when benchmarking cohorts.
Overview & Why Students Choose UR School of Nursing
The University of Rochester School of Nursing sits in Helen Wood Hall on the medical center corridor—steps from Strong Memorial Hospital and the rest of UR Medicine. Unlike many schools, UR SON does not offer a traditional four-year BSN for first-time freshmen; instead, pre-licensure students enter through accelerated bachelor’s or Master’s Direct Entry pathways after completing a prior bachelor’s degree.
This page emphasizes verifiable sources: NYSED for NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates (baccalaureate line “University of Rochester”), UR SON’s tuition & fees and schedule-of-charges PDFs, and outcomes for employment and certification data. Confirm cohort-specific details with the New York State Education Department and UR SON admissions.
The NYSED baccalaureate table is the regulator-aligned source for comparing first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in New York. UR SON’s outcomes page publishes the same annual figures alongside NY State and U.S. aggregates. Confirm current cohorts with NYSED and the school.
Reasons students choose UR SON
UR Medicine integration
Accelerated programs emphasize clinical training with UR Medicine and high-fidelity simulation—UR SON advertises 650+ clinical hours and 90+ simulation hours in pre-licensure materials.
Three accelerated timelines
Students can choose a 12-month ABSN, 24-month ABSN, or 16-month MDE master’s-level pre-licensure path, with multiple cohort starts per year for ABSN.
Graduate depth
MSN tracks include multiple nurse practitioner specialties, Clinical Nurse Leader, leadership, and nursing education; DNP and PhD programs support advanced practice and research careers.
RN career progression
The online RN to BS program lists tiered per-credit tuition with regional and affiliate scholarships on the SON financial aid pages.
Published outcomes
UR SON publishes NCLEX, certification exam, employment, and graduation rates on its consumer outcomes page—useful for comparing licensure and job-market results.
Nursing Programs Offered
Programs below match UR SON’s academic programs overview and tuition pages as of this review. We separate pre-licensure (for RN licensure), post-licensure completion, and graduate nursing.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility)
12-Month Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Three-semester intensive BSN for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. UR SON publishes cohort start dates in January, May, and September. Tuition is billed by semester (see Tuition section).
24-Month Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Six-semester pre-licensure BSN for bachelor’s-prepared students who prefer a longer pace. Tuition is billed per credit hour with program-specific fees on the SON schedule of charges.
Master’s Direct Entry (MDE)
Approximately 16-month pre-licensure master’s pathway for non-nursing bachelor’s graduates; graduates take the NCLEX-RN. UR SON publishes a four-semester tuition estimate on the tuition & fees page.
Post-licensure / completion
RN to BS Online
Completion bachelor’s for licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma. Per-credit tuition and scholarship tiers (Finger Lakes Regional, affiliate, employee) are listed on UR SON’s tuition page.
Graduate nursing
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nurse practitioner tracks (including AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, acute pediatric, and psychiatric mental health per outcomes reporting), plus Clinical Nurse Leader, Leadership in Health Care Systems, and Nursing Education. Formats vary by track—confirm on the relevant program page.
Advanced Certificate Programs
UR SON lists post-master’s advanced certificate options to add specialty preparation; confirm titles and eligibility on the SON academics site.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Practice doctorate for nurses seeking terminal clinical or leadership preparation. Graduate tuition is published per credit on the SON schedule of charges.
PhD in Nursing & Health Science
Research doctorate; UR SON states full-time students receive a tuition waiver for required coursework—see the PhD financial support page.
Accelerated programs require a completed bachelor’s degree (or equivalent progress) before entry; there is no traditional freshman BSN at the School of Nursing. Accelerated Master’s in Nursing (stacked ABSN + NP) options have appeared in UR materials—verify whether the program is still accepting applicants with the SON graduate office.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions RN NCLEX results (baccalaureate degree programs table), the line labeled “University of Rochester” shows the following first-time pass rates:
- 2025 column: 92.95% — 145/156 first-time test takers passed.
- 2024 column: 96.92% — 126/130 first-time test takers passed.
For the 2025 column, the NYSED Baccalaureate Degree Program Summary reports a New York State aggregate first-time pass rate of 83.08% (4861/5851)—benchmark from the same summary table and column as UR’s row.
The UR School of Nursing outcomes page lists the same annual school rates and adds NY State and national aggregates for context. Confirm the latest figures with NYSED and UR SON.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (NYSED line: University of Rochester) | 92.95% (145/156), 2025 column — baccalaureate table |
| Prior year (same line, NYSED) | 96.92% (126/130), 2024 column |
| New York State aggregate (baccalaureate, 2025 column) | 83.08% (4861/5851) |
| Source | NYSED — New York State RN NCLEX Results. Confirm current cohorts with NYSED and UR SON. |
NYSED publishes one baccalaureate row for the University of Rochester. Compare only to other baccalaureate programs in the same column year. Confirm the latest pass rates with the New York State Education Department and the school.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
The University of Rochester enrolls students from many countries; accelerated pre-licensure nursing still requires in-person labs and clinicals, so a fully online route to initial RN licensure is not realistic. Use the checklist below as orientation only.
- English proficiency: Submit TOEFL/IELTS or other scores if the program or University admissions office requires them.
- Credential evaluation: Use evaluators accepted by UR and, for licensure, follow NYSED nursing profession guidance.
- Clinical clearance: Immunizations, background checks, and health requirements for clinical agencies apply regardless of visa type.
- Visa & clinical placement: F-1 students must coordinate CPT/OPT rules with the University’s international office; clinical sites may limit placements.
Policies change—confirm with University of Rochester admissions / international services and the New York State Education Department.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UR SON admits students into program-specific cohorts (ABSN, MDE, RN to BS, MSN, DNP, PhD). You apply through the School of Nursing’s process for accelerated programs; requirements differ by pathway—always use the official Apply and program pages.
Accelerated pre-licensure (ABSN / MDE) — highlights
| Factor | Details (verify on UR SON site) |
|---|---|
| Prior degree | ABSN and MDE require a completed bachelor’s degree (or equivalent progress per program policy) from a regionally accredited institution. |
| Prerequisite GPA | UR SON publishes minimum GPA expectations (often around 3.0 for ABSN examples); science prerequisites must be completed as specified. |
| Rolling / cohort admissions | ABSN runs three cohorts per year (January, May, September). UR SON advertises early action and rolling review for some programs—confirm current deadlines. |
| Standardized tests | Follow the program-specific admissions page for GRE or other tests; not all pathways require the GRE. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| ATI TEAS | Not publicly disclosed as a universal requirement for all UR SON pathways on the pages summarized here—confirm with admissions for your program. |
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed as a nursing-only rate. |
| Graduate nursing (MSN/DNP) | RN licensure, employment, GPA, and prerequisite coursework expectations—see each graduate program’s application. |
Tip: Ask whether you are applying to the 12-month ABSN, 24-month ABSN, or MDE—prerequisite courses, start dates, and tuition structures differ.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
12-month ABSN (2025–26 example): UR SON’s Tuition & Fees page lists $28,030 per semester in tuition ($84,090 for three semesters) for the Fall 2025 cohort example, with total tuition & fees of $89,349 for the program in the published estimate, plus mandatory health, housing, food, and other costs. See the Schedule of Charges PDF and 2026–27 schedule for updates.
24-month ABSN: Billed at $1,740 per credit hour plus program fees on the same tuition page (example Summer 2025 cohort).
MDE: UR SON publishes a four-semester tuition estimate (for example $27,450 per semester tuition for the Fall 2025 cohort example, with total tuition & fees shown in the MDE cost table).
RN to BS: $1,200 per credit base rate, with $600 or $540 per credit when eligible scholarships apply, per the tuition page.
MSN & DNP: $1,740 per credit for graduate nursing coursework on the SON schedule of charges, plus course-specific lab or standardized-patient fees when applicable.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 12-month ABSN tuition (3 semesters, 2025–26 example) | $84,090 total tuition; $89,349 total tuition & fees (UR SON estimate) |
| 24-month ABSN | $1,740/credit + fees (per UR SON) |
| RN to BS (base) | $1,200/credit (scholarship tiers lower on SON page) |
| MSN & DNP (typical) | $1,740/credit (per SON schedule of charges) |
| Source | UR School of Nursing — Tuition & Fees; Schedule of Charges PDF. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair NYSED NCLEX data with UR SON’s outcomes page for employment and certification metrics. Employment percentages below are school-reported from that page; confirm methodology and cohort year with UR SON.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass | See NYSED figures above (baccalaureate line “University of Rochester”). |
| Employment within 12 months (school-reported table) | ABSN line: 91% employed (119 graduates in published table); RN to BS: 92% (49 graduates). NP master’s line: school reports 100% employed (67 graduates)—confirm current cohorts with UR SON. |
| Source | UR School of Nursing — Outcomes Data. Confirm current outcomes with UR SON and NYSED. |
Is UR School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Already hold a bachelor’s degree and want an accelerated or direct-entry pre-licensure route.
- Value a research-intensive nursing school embedded in UR Medicine and Strong Memorial Hospital.
- Want graduate programs in multiple NP specialties plus DNP and PhD options on the same campus.
- Plan to track NCLEX outcomes using NYSED’s baccalaureate table line for the University of Rochester.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Are new high school graduates seeking a traditional four-year BSN (UR SON does not offer that pathway).
- Need the lowest possible tuition (private accelerated nursing is a major investment).
- Require a fully online pre-licensure program (UR accelerated tracks require in-person labs and clinicals).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Rochester anchors the Finger Lakes and western New York referral region. UR SON’s accelerated materials emphasize University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital; the broader market includes Rochester Regional Health, Highland Hospital, community health centers, schools, behavioral health programs, and long-term care. Demand for BSN-prepared and advanced-practice nurses remains strong, but placements depend on cohort and agency capacity—confirm with UR SON.
| Setting | Examples |
|---|---|
| Academic medical center | Strong Memorial Hospital, UR Medicine affiliates (emphasized in UR SON materials). |
| Community & public health | Monroe County Health Department, school-based clinics, home care and hospice agencies. |
| Other systems | Rochester Regional Health facilities, Highland Hospital, ambulatory and specialty networks across Greater Rochester. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
UR SON is an Apple Distinguished School: students receive iPads and digital resources through the iROC initiative. The school highlights simulation, interprofessional learning, and student support through the Center for Academic & Professional Success. The University of Rochester’s River Campus and medical center district offer Division III athletics, arts, and student organizations; nursing students should expect intensive clinical schedules during accelerated terms.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Rochester, NY (UR Medical Center area)
- Address
- Helen Wood Hall, 255 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14620, US
- Admissions
- (585) 275-2375 · SON_Admissions@urmc.rochester.edu
- Financial aid
- (585) 275-3226 · finaid@rochester.edu
- Website
- son.rochester.edu — University of Rochester School of Nursing
Official links
Your next 7 days
- Bookmark the NYSED RN NCLEX results page and locate the baccalaureate row for University of Rochester.
- Download prerequisite and degree-plan materials from the ABSN or MDE pages and map them to your transcripts.
- Review the Schedule of Charges for your intended start term.
- Explore scholarships and aid, including UR Nursing Scholars if you qualify.
- Estimate living costs using UR’s published housing and food lines on the SON cost tables.
- If you are an RN-to-BSN or MSN candidate, confirm employer tuition benefits with your HR office.
- Draft questions for admissions about cohort start dates and clinical clearance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for University of Rochester School of Nursing (per New York State)?
In the New York State Education Department RN NCLEX results baccalaureate table, the line labeled “University of Rochester” shows 92.95% (145 of 156 first-time test takers) in the 2025 column and 96.92% (126 of 130) in the 2024 column. Confirm the latest figures in the NYSED RN NCLEX results table and with UR SON.
Does UR SON offer a traditional BSN for freshman applicants?
No. Pre-licensure pathways at the School of Nursing are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree: 12- and 24-month Accelerated BSN programs and the Master’s Direct Entry program. Confirm details on son.rochester.edu.
How much is the 12-month Accelerated BSN at UR School of Nursing?
The UR SON tuition page lists $28,030 per semester in tuition ($84,090 for three semesters) for a published Fall 2025 cohort example, with total tuition and fees of $89,349 in the same estimate. See the Schedule of Charges PDF and 2026–27 schedule for the term you plan to enter.
What nurse practitioner specialties does UR SON’s MSN include?
UR SON’s outcomes page references certification exams for AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, acute pediatric, and psychiatric mental health NP tracks—confirm current active tracks and formats on the SON master’s program pages.
Where do UR accelerated nursing students complete clinicals?
UR SON highlights the University of Rochester Medical Center and regional experiences; exact units vary by cohort. Confirm with UR SON clinical education.
Is University of Rochester School of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
UR SON references CCNE in consumer disclosures and outcomes reporting. Confirm effective program coverage and dates on the school’s accreditation page and with CCNE.
What is RN to BS tuition at UR?
UR SON lists $1,200 per credit as the base RN to BS rate, with lower per-credit rates when scholarships such as the Finger Lakes Regional Scholarship or affiliate grants apply.
How does UR’s NCLEX pass rate compare to New York State’s average?
For 2025, UR SON’s outcomes table lists a 92.95% school first-time rate versus 82.32% for New York State and 86.71% nationally. NYSED’s baccalaureate table shows the same school line counts. Always confirm the latest reporting year with NYSED and UR SON.
What is the Master’s Direct Entry (MDE) program?
MDE is a pre-licensure master’s pathway for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. UR SON publishes semester tuition estimates for MDE on its tuition & fees page; graduates take the NCLEX-RN.
References
- New York State Education Department — RN NCLEX Results (2023–2027)op.nysed.gov
- University of Rochester School of Nursing — Academic programsson.rochester.edu/academics
- University of Rochester School of Nursing — Outcomes datason.rochester.edu/academics/outcomes
- University of Rochester School of Nursing — Tuition & feesson.rochester.edu/financial-aid/tuition-fees
- University of Rochester School of Nursing — Schedule of charges (PDF)ur-nursing-tuition-fees-25-26.pdf
- University of Rochester School of Nursing — Contactson.rochester.edu/about/contact-us
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX alignment with NYSED baccalaureate tables, tuition figures against UR School of Nursing tuition and schedule-of-charges pages, and program scope against son.rochester.edu.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It is not admissions, financial, or legal advice. Requirements, tuition, and cohort outcomes change; verify with the University of Rochester School of Nursing and the New York State Education Department.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy