Yale University

About Yale University

Yale University is an accredited institution offering nursing education programs designed to prepare graduates for licensure and professional practice. The nursing profession continues to experience significant demand nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that approximately 3.1 million registered nurses were employed across the United States as of 2022, with the field projected to add roughly 193,100 openings per year through 2032 due to retirements, population growth, and an aging patient population requiring increasingly complex care.

Choosing a nursing school is one of the most consequential decisions in a healthcare career. Factors such as programmatic accreditation, NCLEX-RN examination pass rates, clinical partnership networks, faculty expertise, and total cost of attendance all play a role in program quality and student outcomes. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports that the national average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is approximately 87–89 percent — a useful benchmark when comparing schools.

Yale University holds accreditation from CCNE. Programmatic accreditation from agencies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) ensures that the curriculum meets nationally recognized standards, that graduates are eligible for professional licensure, and that credits are transferable to graduate programs. Employers — particularly hospitals pursuing Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — strongly prefer graduates from accredited programs.

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024 (BLS), with salaries varying by specialization, experience level, and geographic location. Nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically earn 10–20 percent more than those with an associate degree, and the BSN is the required foundation for advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner (median salary $129,210), clinical nurse specialist, and nurse anesthetist (median salary $223,210). The National Academy of Medicine has recommended that 80 percent of the nursing workforce hold a BSN or higher to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the healthcare system.

Programs Offered

Yale University currently offers 8 nursing programs. Prospective students should review each program's degree level, delivery format, tuition, and duration to identify the best fit for their educational and career goals.

• DNP — Online + Campus, $108,000 total, 36-month program, 94% grad rate
• DNP – Executive Leadership / Healthcare Systems — On Campus, 36-month program
• DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) — On Campus, 36-month program
• MSN – Nursing Administration & Leadership — On Campus, 24-month program
• MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner — Online + Campus, $88,200 total, 24-month program, 94% grad rate
• MSN — Nurse-Midwifery — Online + Campus, $88,200 total, 24-month program, 94% grad rate
• MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health NP — Online + Campus, $88,200 total, 24-month program, 94% grad rate
• PhD in Nursing — On Campus, $180,000 total, 60-month program, 94% grad rate

Clinical Training & Hospital Partnerships

Yale University offers exceptional clinical access with an extensive hospital network and strong placement support.

• Strong partnership with Yale New Haven Hospital for clinical placements.
• Centralized placement coordination by the Clinical Support Unit.
• Extensive simulation and assessment labs available for student training.
• Affiliated with Magnet-recognized hospitals.

Named hospital & health-system partners: Yale New Haven Hospital (Magnet), YNHH, Yale New Haven Health

Schedule & Format Flexibility

• Yale offers a hybrid online/on-campus delivery ("Yale Nursing Everywhere") for advanced practice nurse and midwifery MSN specialties, enabling students to enroll full‑time or part‑time from their current environment, bypassing physical campus constraints.
• Within that hybrid model, Yale offers a three‑year part‑time Hybrid MSN program in Psychiatric‑Mental Health Nursing (PMHNP), blending immersive on‑campus sessions and flexible online learning.
• The Hybrid PMHNP program includes three mandatory in‑person campus immersions at Yale's West Campus, each lasting approximately 3–4 days (including weekends).
• The hybrid model indicates online coursework flexibility (i.e., asynchronous elements) combined with scheduled in‑person immersion sessions.
• The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) programs, specifically the post‑master's Clinical DNP and H

Admissions

• Minimum GPA requirement: For Master's-level programs (GEPN, MSN): applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (as calculated by NursingCAS), or alternatively submit GRE scores at or above the 50th percentile in all sections.
• GRE requirement: Not required if cumulative undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0. Required, with at least the 50th percentile in each section, if GPA < 3.0.
• GEPN (Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing) prerequisites: Four required science courses must be completed by June 15 before matriculation; at least three must be completed at time of application. All four prerequisites must have been completed no more than 8 years prior to application, with a minimum grade of B- (approximately 2.7) or higher. AP or IB credits are not acceptable. The four required courses are:
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
  • General Chemistry with lab
  • Microbiology with lab
• Reapplication policy: Applicants who have applied to the same program three times without admission are not allowed to reapply to that program again (unless explicitly authorized).

Program-Specific Details

• DNP: No stated acceptance or admission rate is provided. Hybrid delivery combines on-campus experience with online coursework.
• MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner: Minimum GPA: 3.0. No stated acceptance or admission rate is provided. Hybrid delivery allows for full-time or part-time enrollment.
• MSN — Nurse-Midwifery: Minimum GPA: 3.0. No stated acceptance or admission rate is provided. Hybrid delivery allows for full-time or part-time enrollment.
• MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Minimum GPA: 3.0. No stated acceptance or admission rate is provided. Hybrid delivery allows for full-time or part-time enrollment.
• PhD in Nursing: Minimum GPA: 3.0. No stated acceptance or admission rate is provided. PhD program is delivered on-campus.

What to Consider When Evaluating a Nursing School

• Accreditation: Ensure the program holds programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), in addition to regional institutional accreditation.
• NCLEX Pass Rates: First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are a key indicator of program quality. The national average is approximately 87–89 percent, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Look for programs that consistently meet or exceed this benchmark.
• Clinical Partnerships: Strong clinical partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations ensure students get diverse, high-quality hands-on experience during their training.
• Student Support Services: Academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, and NCLEX preparation resources contribute to student success and licensure exam readiness.
• Career Placement: Some schools maintain partnerships with healthcare employers that facilitate hiring of new graduates, which can ease the transition from education to practice.