The Top 20 Best 2 Year Nursing Programs in Albany, NY for 2026

The demand for qualified nurses is rapidly growing in Albany, NY and surrounding regions. To meet this need, many exceptional nursing programs are available to prepare aspiring nurses in just 2 years through associate‘s degree programs.

Two-year associate‘s degree in nursing (ADN) programs provide an accelerated and affordable pathway to start a nursing career. An ADN equips students with essential nursing skills and knowledge to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse (RN).

Here is a ranked list of the top 20 best 2 year nursing programs in the Albany, NY area based on academics, affordability, NCLEX pass rates, and reputation.

Nursing Job Growth Outlook

The nursing field as a whole is projected to grow substantially over the next decade. According to New York State Department of Labor, jobs for registered nurses statewide are expected to rise by 14.3% adding over 50,000 openings by 2028 as depicted below:

Projected Registered Nurse Job Growth 2018-2028
| Year | RN Employment | % Change 2018-2028 | Total Openings 2028 |
|—-|—-|—-|—-|
|2018| 302,477| | |
|2028 | 346,072 | +14.3% | 50,530|

This rapid job growth both statewide and in the Albany metropolitan area demonstrates the considerable, increasing demand for qualified nurses to fill new positions as current nurses retire.

A two-year nursing degree offers relatively quick, affordable training required to capitalize on abundant RN job opportunities locally and beyond. Many ADN graduates go on to pursue bachelor‘s degrees and advance into higher-paying specialized nursing roles.

The Nursing Education Landscape

The nursing profession has been undergoing an extensive evolution recently in terms of the required entry-level education and training pathways. Historically diploma programs graduating licensed practical/vocational nurses were sufficient for many patient care settings.

However today‘s complex, advancing healthcare environment requires RNs with more advanced competencies. While many employers still accept ADNs, current trends show increasing preference for nurses prepared at the bachelor‘s or graduate degree levels through BSN and ABSN programs in order to meet higher quality and accreditation benchmarks.

In fact New York State itself is considering mandating the BSN as the minimum credential for RN licensure in future years as over 35 other states are debating similar proposals. So associate‘s degree graduates should be prepared to continue pursuing further nursing education.

Many of the top Albany nursing schools are responding to these industry shifts through enhancements such as:

• Expanding BSN and MSN program offerings
• Providing streamlined ADN-BS bridge pathways
• Incorporating cutting-edge simulation instruction
• Revising curricula to align with evolving healthcare practices
• Offering more flexible, hybrid learning options

By implementing changes like these, the region‘s nursing programs aim to graduate exceptionally trained nurses while promoting higher degree attainment and career advancement among alumni.

Comparing ADN and BSN Degrees

Given industry directions, prospective nurses may wonder whether they should invest additional time and tuition required for BSN programs versus ADN routes for their entry-level preparation and licensure.

Both ADN and BSN programs equip graduates with generalist nursing skills to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and work in diverse healthcare settings. However BSN curricula deliver a deeper level of knowledge through additional coursework focused on areas like leadership, research, community health, health policy, and more.

The key tradeoffs between the two pathways are illustrated below:

Factor	ADN Programs	BSN Programs
Program Length	2-3 years	4 years
Tuition & Fees	$$ Lower cost	$$$ Increased cost
Academic Focus	Practical nursing skills	Expanded nursing theory and knowledge
Course Delivery	Primarily face-to-face	Mix of online and in-person
Career Advancement	Entry-level RN positions	Greater career mobility and pay
Program Availability	Widely available	Less capacity currently

In light of the differences summarized above, pursing an ADN initially followed by an RN-BSN bridge later on may be an optimal route for many students to minimize costs and accelerate their career launch while still working towards a bachelor‘s credential.

Fortunately many Albany nursing programs facilitate this pathway through transfer agreements and other support mechanisms. Review the profiles below for further detail on bridge options at individual schools.

Top 20 Albany Nursing Programs

Below are snapshots of key data points for the top 20 ADN programs in the Albany region to assist prospective students in comparing options at-a-glance:

Albany Area 2 Year Nursing Programs Overview

Rank	College	Avg Net Price	NCLEX Pass Rate	Graduation Rate	Faculty : Student Ratio	Highlights
1	Hudson Valley CC	$11,328	82%	57%	1:10	New high-tech simulation labs, robust transfer pathways
2	Fulton-Montgomery CC	$12,248	84%	49%	1:12	Brand new simulation center, very affordable
3	Maria College	$23,392	87%	55%	1:15	Renowned nursing education history, small classes, option to continue for BSN
4	Saint Peter‘s Hospital CoN	$25,000*	93%	100%**	1:10	Top NCLEX pass rate, guaranteed interview for high-demand hospital
5	SUNY Schenectady CC	$11,328	87%	43%	1:18	Highly affordable, transfer options to multiple RN-BSN programs

*Approximate total program cost
**Diploma nursing programs report graduation rates differently

6-20. Other Notable Programs

6. Mildred Elley School
7. Bryant & Stratton College
8. SUNY Adirondack
9. Albany BOCES School of Practical Nursing
10. Ellis Hospital School of Nursing
11. Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing
12. St. Mary‘s Healthcare Amsterdam School of Nursing
13. Columbia-Greene Community College
14. Sage Colleges
15. Siena College
16. Excelsior College School of Nursing
17. SUNY Delhi
18. SUNY Cobleskill
19. Kaplan Career Institute
20. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

(See appendix for full profiles of each school)

Next let‘s explore the #1 ranked program…

1. Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) shines as a top destination for affordable nursing education in the Albany area and beyond. Not only does the school report superb NCLEX RN licensing exam pass rates along with nationally-accredited, high-quality academics, but a degree from HVCC Nursing also grants RNs a coveted credential that opens doors to job opportunities across Capital Region healthcare providers.

Impressively outfitted nursing classrooms with smart podiums and large LED screens facilitate interactive learning engagement, while the school’s brand-new high-fidelity simulation labs allow students to hone clinical care competencies using advanced mannequin patients and leading healthcare technologies.

A typical Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) course curriculum at Hudson Valley covers core topics like:

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Maternity & Pediatric Nursing
• Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Physical Assessment

With extensively-equipped on-campus nursing labs paired with abundant clinical placement availability at Capital Region hospitals ranging from Albany Medical Center to St Peter’s, HVCC students gain immense hands-on practical experience even before graduating as newly-minted RNs.

And for those seeking further nursing career advancement, Hudson Valley has partnered locally with institutions like SUNY Empire State, Excelsior, Chamberlain University and others to establish streamlined transfer pathways into Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree completion programs. Numerous HVCC ADN grads capitalize on these innovative arrangements annually to become the next generation of highly-skilled regional nursing leadership blending top-caliber practical instruction with forward-focused academic vision.

Tuition & Fees:

• $5,310 annual in-state; $13,980 out-of-state
• Additional program-specific fees

Admissions Requirements:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Completed coursework emphasizing natural sciences
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7
• Passed entrance exams

Application Deadlines:

• Fall: January 2
• Spring: August 30

In addition to its rigorous yet caring nursing education environment led by credentialed faculty combining academic and experiential backgrounds, Hudson Valley also boats delightfully scenic campus surroundings being located adjacent to the Mohawk River.

So for those seeking an affordable accelerated track to begin rewarding registered nursing careers at an institution delivering top-tier NCLEX pass rates and state-of-the-art teaching facilities, Hudson Valley Community College clearly shines as a top Capital Region choice.

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The Albany, NY region offers many high-quality 2 year ADN programs preparing graduates to become registered nurses. With growing healthcare industry demand regionally and nationwide, nursing remains a secure career path worth pursuing.

The standout schools highlighted here deliver affordable tuition rates coupled with excellent NCLEX pass rates, cutting-edge facilities, strong reputations, and dedicated faculty.

Prospective nursing students are encouraged to thoroughly research all options using the details provided to find the right fit based on their academic and career goals in this rewarding profession. Reach out to admissions offices to learn more and get started on application paperwork today.

Appendix: Profiles of All 20 Top Albany Nursing Programs

1. Hudson Valley Community College

2. Fulton-Montgomery Community College

3. Maria College

4. Saint Peter‘s Hospital College of Nursing

5. SUNY Schenectady County Community College

6. Mildred Elley School

7. Bryant & Stratton College

8. SUNY Adirondack

9. Albany BOCES School of Practical Nursing

10. Ellis Hospital School of Nursing

11. Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing

12. St. Mary‘s Healthcare Amsterdam School of Nursing

13. Columbia-Greene Community College

14. Sage Colleges

15. Siena College

16. Excelsior College School of Nursing

17. SUNY Delhi

18. SUNY Cobleskill

19. Kaplan Career Institute

20. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Glossary of Key Nursing Education Terms

RN: Registered Nurse
LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse
BSN: Bachelor‘s of Science in Nursing
ADN: Associate‘s Degree in Nursing
ABSN: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
NCLEX: National Council Licensure EXam (for RN and LPN certification)
ACEN: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (accredits nursing schools)