SUNY Downstate College of Nursing Review (2026): Programs, Requirements & Outcomes
The College of Nursing at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is part of Brooklyn’s only academic medical center. Pre-licensure RN preparation is offered through the 15-month Accelerated BS in Nursing (second-degree); licensed RNs can pursue RN-to-BSN online; graduate options include MS, DNP, and post-master’s certificates. This guide uses NYSED NCLEX-RN tables and SUNY Downstate bursar tuition—confirm deadlines and policies with Downstate and NYSED.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
SUNY Downstate situates nursing inside Brooklyn’s only academic medical center, with an 8-bay simulation lab and graduate programs that U.S. News has recognized among top master’s programs in the country (per the college). Use NYSED pass-rate tables for NCLEX and the bursar’s College of Nursing tuition page for cost—not unofficial estimates.
Overview & Why Students Choose SUNY Downstate
At 450 Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University houses the College of Nursing as one of six schools in its academic health center. The college emphasizes Brooklyn’s diversity—its materials state that about 70% of nursing students are from minority groups—and positions students alongside clinicians at University Hospital at Downstate and regional partners. Unlike many four-year programs, pre-licensure RN preparation here is primarily the second-degree Accelerated BS in Nursing (not a generic frosh BSN); licensed RNs can complete RN-to-BSN online.
Students choose Downstate for public SUNY tuition within NYC, CCNE-accredited pathways, and access to an urban academic medical center. Compare outcomes using NYSED’s pass-rate tables and confirm fit with your entry path (second-degree vs RN-to-BSN vs graduate).
According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions New York State RN NCLEX Results: 2023–2027 baccalaureate table (columns 2027 through 2023, left to right), SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn (SUNY Downstate’s baccalaureate nursing programs) is listed at 88.18% first-time (97 of 110) in the 2025 column; the 2023 column shows 89.5% (85/95). NYSED’s baccalaureate summary for the 2025 column reports New York State at 83.08% (4861 of 5851). Confirm the live NYSED table with SUNY Downstate.
Reasons students choose SUNY Downstate
Accelerated second-degree BSN (ABSN)
A 15-month full-time curriculum for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s in another field, with a fall start—structured for career changers who want to reach NCLEX-RN eligibility efficiently.
RN-to-BSN online
Licensed RNs can pursue online didactic coursework with a 37.5-hour clinical requirement per the college’s program summary.
MS, DNP, and certificates
MS tracks in FNP, WHNP, and Nurse Educator; DNP with FNP or WHNP concentrations; post-master’s certificates per the admissions overview.
Simulation and Brooklyn clinical network
An 8-bay simulation lab (labor and delivery, isolation, critical care, step-down) supports skills before hospital and community placements—primarily in Brooklyn per the accelerated program page.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following aligns with SUNY Downstate’s College of Nursing admissions overview and programs index. Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at SUNY Downstate the program is listed as Accelerated BS in Nursing.
Pre-licensure and undergraduate completion
Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN)
15-month full-time program; fall start each year. Open to applicants with a baccalaureate degree in any discipline by enrollment; 60 credits of concentrated nursing in residence and 65 prerequisite credits transferred in per the accelerated admissions page. Eligible for NCLEX-RN after completion.
RN to BS in Nursing
For licensed RNs; all didactic courses online with a 37.5-hour clinical requirement. The baccalaureate page also describes a one-year online program; the college homepage references completing RN-BS in three semesters—confirm pacing with the program.
Graduate and doctoral
MS in Nursing
Per admissions: Family Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Education. The master’s page highlights the Nurse Educator track; confirm all specialty pages for entry requirements.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Women’s Health NP and Family NP concentration tracks preparing for advanced practice leadership; CCNE accreditation cited on the doctoral page.
Post-master’s advanced certificates
Admissions lists certificates in FNP, WHNP, and nursing education for nurses who already hold a master’s.
If you need a traditional four-year BSN for first-time freshmen, SUNY Downstate’s College of Nursing marketing emphasizes accelerated and RN-to-BSN pathways—confirm whether any additional entry routes exist in the current catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the NYSED Office of the Professions New York State RN NCLEX Results: 2023–2027 report, SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn (Baccalaureate Degree Programs table) had a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 88.18% (97/110) in the 2025 column; the 2023 column shows 89.5% (85/95). NYSED’s baccalaureate summary for the 2025 column lists New York State at 83.08% (4861/5851) and the United States at 87.59% (87,810/100,252). Confirm current cohort data on the NYSED page and with SUNY Downstate.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn, BSN table) | 88.18% (97/110), NYSED 2025 column; 2023 column: 89.5% (85/95) |
| NYS / US baccalaureate benchmark (2025 column) | NYS 83.08% (4861/5851); US 87.59% (87,810/100,252), NYSED summary |
| Source | NYSED — New York State RN NCLEX Results (2023–2027). Confirm current rates with NYSED and SUNY Downstate. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting cycle. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the NYSED Office of the Professions and SUNY Downstate.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and by New York State licensure rules. Use the checklist below as a starting point; verify everything with SUNY Downstate admissions, the international student office, and the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other tests and minimum scores required by SUNY Downstate for your program level.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Course-by-course evaluation policies (e.g., WES or other evaluators) for international transcripts.
- New York licensure: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, follow NYSED nursing licensure guidance and confirm documentation for internationally educated applicants.
- Immigration & visa: Whether the nursing program’s schedule and clinical hours meet visa enrollment requirements; clinical sites may require additional background checks.
This section is general guidance only, not legal or immigration advice. Policies change—confirm with SUNY Downstate and NYSED.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Admission is competitive. The Accelerated BS in Nursing is fall-only and requires a prior bachelor’s degree and completed prerequisites by registration. RN-to-BSN and graduate programs have separate criteria—use the admissions pages for each track. For the most current GPA, prerequisite, and testing rules, review SUNY Downstate’s College of Nursing admissions policies and the program-specific links.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated BS in Nursing | Confirm with admissions | Fall start each year per accelerated page; apply through the health professions application portal. |
| RN to BS | Confirm with program | Online didactic structure; verify term starts. |
| MS / DNP / certificates | Confirm with program | See graduate admissions and College of Nursing information sessions. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Accelerated BSN | Prior bachelor’s required; prerequisites and admission requirements must be met by the start of registration per the accelerated page. |
| RN to BS | Active RN license; online didactic courses with clinical hour requirement per programs page. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not publicly disclosed on the pages cited here; confirm with admissions for your cohort. |
Honest tips
If you are a second-degree applicant, map prerequisite science timelines early—the accelerated curriculum is intensive. If you are a licensed RN, confirm whether RN-to-BSN or a graduate NP path fits your career timeline. Ask how the school supports NCLEX preparation for ABSN students.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from SUNY Downstate’s College of Nursing Tuition & Fees (bursar). Rates are shown for resident and non-resident students; RN-BS online-only uses a different non-resident per-credit rate than face-to-face undergraduate. Add fees (college, activity, technology, student health, etc.), orientation, and program-specific nursing fees linked from the College of Nursing programs page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing (full-time / semester) | Resident $3,535; non-resident $9,740 per bursar table |
| Undergraduate nursing (part-time / credit) | Resident $295/cr; non-resident $812/cr |
| RN-BS online only (part-time / credit) | Resident $295/cr; non-resident $353/cr; full-time non-resident semester $4,240 per bursar |
| Graduate MS (full-time / semester) | Resident $5,655; non-resident $12,620 |
| Graduate MS (part-time / credit) | Resident $471/cr; non-resident $1,052/cr |
| DNP (example: full-time / semester) | Resident $12,810; non-resident $15,370 per bursar DNP block |
| Source | SUNY Downstate — College of Nursing Tuition & Fees. Confirm current amounts with the bursar. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use NYSED for licensure exam outcomes and SUNY Downstate consumer or career pages for employment—do not state unsourced job-placement percentages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN) | 88.18% (97/110), NYSED 2025 column for SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn; 2023 column: 89.5% (85/95). NYS benchmark (2025 column): 83.08% (4861/5851). |
| Source | NYSED RN NCLEX Results (2023–2027). Confirm current rates with NYSED and SUNY Downstate. |
| Job placement / employment | Not available in the provided sources for a cited percentage. For employment outcomes, see SUNY Downstate career services or consumer information disclosures if offered. |
Is SUNY Downstate the Right Fit for You?
Choose SUNY Downstate if you want a public SUNY nursing school inside an academic medical center, can commit to a 15-month accelerated schedule or need RN-to-BSN online, and plan for FNP/WHNP/DNP graduate work. If you require a traditional four-year frosh BSN, verify whether another SUNY or partner pathway fits—Downstate’s marketing emphasizes accelerated and RN completion tracks.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Already hold a bachelor’s degree and want a fall-start accelerated BSN toward NCLEX-RN.
- Are licensed RNs seeking online RN-to-BSN or graduate NP education.
- Value Brooklyn clinical density, simulation, and CCNE-accredited programs at SUNY tuition tiers.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a generic four-year frosh BSN as the primary route—Downstate highlights accelerated pre-licensure instead.
- Need a fully online pre-licensure ABSN (the accelerated program is in residence at Downstate).
- Prefer a small rural program setting rather than a large NYC academic medical center.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Brooklyn anchors University Hospital at Downstate, Kings County Hospital Center, Maimonides Medical Center, and networks such as NYU Langone, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Northwell Health—all within reach for clinical learning. The college’s materials list employers such as Downstate’s hospital, Northwell, NYP, NYU Langone, Maimonides, and Kings County for graduates.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic medical center | SUNY Downstate markets itself as Brooklyn’s only academic medical center—students train alongside interprofessional teams on campus and in borough hospitals. |
| Regional demand | NYC metro employers recruit new graduate RNs and NPs; competition for specialty units varies by market cycle. |
| Next step | Ask the College of Nursing for recent clinical affiliates for your track; placements are cohort-dependent. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The College of Nursing highlights an 8-bay simulation lab with labor and delivery, isolation, critical care, and step-down beds. Eligible students may join Sigma Theta Tau (Psi Tau chapter). Campus life is urban and transit-connected; students collaborate across Downstate’s six schools in the health sciences center.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Brooklyn, NY
- Admissions mailing address
- Office of Student Admissions, 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 60, Brooklyn, NY 11203-2098, US
- Admissions telephone
- 718-270-2446
- Admissions email
- admissions@downstate.edu
- College of Nursing
- downstate.edu — College of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the College of Nursing admissions hub and open the Accelerated BSN or RN-to-BSN page that matches your path.
- Download the Accelerated BS program flyer (PDF) and compare prerequisites to your transcripts.
- Review the admissions policies and confirm testing requirements with admissions@downstate.edu.
- Draft questions for an admissions counselor about fall ABSN capacity and prerequisite deadlines.
- Bookmark the NYSED NCLEX results page to compare cohort outcomes over time.
- If applying to graduate programs, register for a College of Nursing information session.
- Set calendar reminders for your target application deadline and document upload dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for SUNY Downstate baccalaureate nursing programs?
According to the NYSED New York State RN NCLEX Results (2023–2027) baccalaureate table, SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn (SUNY Downstate) is listed at 88.18% first-time (97/110) in the 2025 column; the 2023 column shows 89.5% (85/95). The statewide baccalaureate rate in the 2025 summary row is 83.08%. Confirm current data on the NYSED site and with SUNY Downstate.
Does SUNY Downstate offer a traditional four-year BSN for first-time freshmen?
The College of Nursing’s public materials emphasize the Accelerated BS in Nursing for second-degree students and RN-to-BSN for licensed RNs. They do not highlight a generic four-year frosh BSN on the same overview—confirm the catalog if you need that pathway.
What tuition does SUNY Downstate publish for the College of Nursing?
The College of Nursing Tuition & Fees page lists per-semester and per-credit rates for undergraduate, RN-BS online-only, MS, and DNP programs for resident and non-resident students, plus fees. Confirm totals with the bursar.
What graduate nursing programs does SUNY Downstate list?
Per the admissions overview, MS options include FNP, WHNP, and Nursing Education; DNP concentrations include FNP and WHNP; post-master’s certificates include FNP, WHNP, and nursing education.
Is SUNY Downstate College of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
SUNY Downstate states that the nursing programs are accredited by CCNE. Confirm status with CCNE and the college.
How long is the accelerated BSN at SUNY Downstate?
The college describes the Accelerated BS in Nursing as a 15-month full-time program with a fall start each year.
Does SUNY Downstate require the TEAS for nursing admission?
Specific entrance exams are not listed on the pages cited in this guide; confirm with admissions@downstate.edu for your cohort.
Where do SUNY Downstate nursing students complete clinical rotations?
The accelerated program page states clinical experiences occur primarily in Brooklyn with community affiliations across boroughs. Specific sites vary by cohort.
What should international applicants verify for SUNY Downstate nursing?
Confirm English proficiency, credential evaluation, clinical eligibility, and visa rules with SUNY Downstate; for licensure, follow NYSED. General guidance only—not legal advice.
References
- SUNY Downstate — College of Nursing (programs)downstate.edu — College of Nursing programs
- SUNY Downstate — College of Nursing admissions overviewdownstate.edu — College of Nursing admissions
- SUNY Downstate — Accelerated BS in Nursingdownstate.edu — Accelerated nursing
- SUNY Downstate — College of Nursing Tuition & Fees (Bursar)downstate.edu — College of Nursing tuition
- NYSED Office of the Professions — New York State RN NCLEX Results (2023–2027)op.nysed.gov — RN NCLEX results
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)aacnnursing.org/CCNE
- 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 tables (including the SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn row), tuition figures against SUNY Downstate College of Nursing bursar tuition, and program list accuracy against College of Nursing admissions and program pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy