NYC Metro’s Most Affordable Private ABSN — A Curriculum Built Around Cultural Competence
Monroe University delivers what few New York programs can at this price point: a private ABSN in the New York metropolitan area for approximately $38,000 in tuition and fees — less than half the cost of D’Youville ($72,000–$75,000) and $20,000 below Iona ($59,980).
The curriculum’s distinctive feature is its explicit cultural competence framework: every clinical specialty course is titled “Culturally Competent Care of…” — reflecting a deliberate institutional commitment to preparing nurses for New York’s diverse urban patient populations.
The 57-credit nursing major requires a minimum passing grade of 77.5% in every nursing course — a higher academic floor than the C or C+ thresholds used at most comparable programs.
Students who complete all prerequisites before enrolling can finish the nursing portion in four consecutive semesters.
ABSN Admission Summary
Monroe’s Clinical Admission Committee reviews all applications holistically — test scores, academic outcomes, industry-related experience, and submitted documentation all factor into the decision. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a seat. A program interview is required for all applicants.
Academic requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75
- C+ or higher in all science prerequisite courses — must have been completed within the past 5 years
- C or higher in all non-science prerequisite courses
- Evidence of C+ or higher in algebra, biology/living environment, and chemistry (high school or college level)
Entrance/placement exam — one of two options:
- Proctored math Accuplacer score of 250 or higher for Part I and Part II AND proctored English Accuplacer score placing into credit-bearing English
- OR: ATI TEAS score of 70% or higher (substitutes for both Accuplacer exams)
Application materials:
- Completed application for admission and personal statement or essay
- Application fee ($35)
- Official transcripts from all previous college-level institutions (including alternative learning platforms)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Program interview — individual or group format; required for all ABSN applicants
- Proof of immunizations including COVID-19 vaccination documentation — required for clinical placement eligibility at Monroe’s community partner sites
Clinical compliance — required before clinical courses:
- Proof of physical exam completed by a physician within the last 12 months
- COVID-19 vaccination documentation
- Background check
- Drug test
- Physical and technical requirements (including ability to lift 40+ lbs and stand for extended periods) — full list provided during admissions process
Prerequisite coursework — two tiers:
Sciences — C+ or higher; within 5 years:
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
Non-science prerequisites — C or higher:
- English I and II
- Advanced Writing for the Social Sciences
- Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology Across the Lifespan (or other upper-level psychology course)
- Introduction to Sociology
- Statistics
- Speech Communications
- Introduction to Health Care
- Introduction to Health Informatics
- Race, Ethnicity, and Health
- Global Health Issues
- Liberal Arts credits (6 cr.)
- Open Elective credits (6 cr.)
A transcript review determines which prerequisites have been met. If prerequisites are not complete at admission, additional semesters may be required before the four-semester nursing sequence begins.
Progression standard:
All nursing courses require a minimum passing grade of 77.5% — a higher academic floor than the C, C+, or B- thresholds used at most other programs in this review.
Curriculum
Fifty-seven nursing major credits are distributed across four consecutive semesters. Monroe’s curriculum is organized around a “Culturally Competent Care” framework — every clinical specialty course is explicitly named for the population it serves and the cultural competence expected in that setting. The 121-credit total BS in Nursing degree is met through prerequisite coursework transferred in combined with the 57-credit nursing major.
Prerequisite Overview
Fourteen prerequisite subject areas required — sciences must be C+ or higher and within 5 years; non-sciences must be C or higher. See the admission summary above for the full list. A transcript review at admission determines what remains to be completed.
Four-semester nursing sequence (57 credit hours):
NS-106 – Dosage Calculation and Pharmacology (3 cr.) Introduces medication dosage calculation using algebraic principles alongside pharmacodynamics, major drug classifications, and complementary medicine. Emphasizes safe medication practices aligned with QSEN and IOM competencies — foundational pharmacology for all subsequent clinical courses.
NS-119 – Introduction to Culturally Competent Care and Nursing Essentials (7 cr.) The program’s highest-credit foundational course; covers nursing fundamentals including hygiene, safety, communication, and infection control alongside the introduction of cultural competence as a core nursing practice. Prepares students for clinical settings through simulation and lab practice — the entry point for Monroe’s culturally-framed nursing practice model.
NS-209 – Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr.) Develops systematic physical assessment skills across all age groups through lab practice and case studies. Explores health promotion, communication barriers, and cultural factors in health assessment. Concludes with a head-to-toe assessment competency examination.
NS-216 – Culturally Competent Care of the Child-Bearing Family (3 cr.) Family-centered perinatal nursing with explicit cultural awareness emphasis — antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care for mothers and newborns. Integrates clinical experience applying QSEN and IOM core concepts to maternal-newborn care.
NS-217 – Culturally Competent Care of the Child-Rearing Family (3 cr.) Nursing care for children and adolescents within the family unit; covers developmental health needs with cultural sensitivity integrated throughout. Applies QSEN competencies in clinical pediatric environments.
NS-221 – Advanced Pharmacology (2 cr.) Advances beyond NS-106 into prototype drugs and complex pharmacologic concepts; focuses on nursing roles in safe medication use, patient evaluation, and culturally competent medication education.
NS-228 – Culturally Competent Care of the Adult With Mental Health Alterations (3 cr.) Psychiatric nursing principles and therapeutic communication within a culturally competent framework; uses care planning tools to guide interventions; emphasizes the nurse’s role in promoting mental health across diverse populations.
NS-250 – Culturally Competent Care of the Adult With Health Alterations I (5 cr.) First of a two-course adult health nursing sequence; introduces care for adults with chronic conditions using evidence-based, culturally aligned approaches. Blends lab, simulation, and clinical practice — the program’s first major clinical immersion in adult medical-surgical nursing.
NS-255 – Culturally Competent Care of the Adult With Health Alterations II (5 cr.) Builds on NS-250 to address acute medical-surgical issues; focuses on holistic care, cultural alignment, and transition planning in more complex patient scenarios. Applies critical thinking and interprofessional teamwork in clinical settings.
NS-261 – Trends in Professional Nursing (3 cr.) Examines social, political, and cultural influences on healthcare and nursing decisions; explores leadership, advocacy, and communication theories. Includes a clinical leadership component applying professional development theory to real-world nursing practice.
NS-300 – Nursing Theory Influences on Today’s Practice (3 cr.) A blended/hybrid course exploring foundational nursing theories and their impact on modern practice. Emphasizes theory evaluation, cultural competence, and safe practice — encourages students to apply theory to guide clinical decision-making. This is the program’s primary nursing theory and philosophy course.
NS-310 – Culturally Competent Care of the Older Adult (2 cr.) Covers the aging process and geriatric nursing care strategies; addresses chronic illness, spiritual needs, and cultural factors in elder care. Uses the ACES framework to promote high-quality gerontological nursing.
NS-400 – Pathophysiology and Clinical Reasoning for Nursing (3 cr.) Introduces disease processes at the cellular and system levels; applies pathophysiological knowledge to diverse patient populations through clinical case studies. Integrates cultural competence into disease assessment and care planning — notably placed later in the sequence to build on prior clinical knowledge.
NS-410 – Culturally Competent Care in Community Health and the Role of the Professional Nurse Practicum (5 cr.) Population health nursing, social determinants of health, and disease prevention applied to real-world communities. Includes clinical placements in both urban and rural settings — the program’s community health practicum reflecting Monroe’s mission to serve New York’s diverse urban populations.
NS-420 – Evidence-Based Nursing Research (3 cr.) Research methods, data interpretation, and evidence application in nursing practice; emphasizes cultural congruence and writing-intensive practice. Aligns with QSEN goals for quality improvement in nursing care.
NS-450 – Culturally Competent Leadership in Professional Nursing Seminar and Practicum (4 cr.) Capstone course covering leadership principles including change management and team building with cultural awareness integrated throughout organizational leadership. Concludes with a capstone quality improvement project — the program’s professional synthesis and NCLEX preparation before graduation.
More curriculum details available in the course catalog: Monroe University ABSN Catalog
Clinicals
Clinical experiences are embedded throughout the four-semester program, beginning with the foundational NS-119 simulation and lab component and escalating through dedicated clinical practicum courses in adult health, community health, and leadership. Monroe’s location in New Rochelle — with a Bronx campus — places students within the broader New York City healthcare market.
- Clinical start: NS-119 (Introduction to Culturally Competent Care and Nursing Essentials, 7 cr.) incorporates simulation and lab practice from the first semester; clinical placement begins as specialty courses advance
- Major clinical practicum courses:
- NS-250 and NS-255 — Adult Health Alterations I and II (5 cr. each) — the program’s primary medical-surgical clinical sequence
- NS-410 — Community Health and Role of the Professional Nurse Practicum (5 cr.) — urban and rural community clinical placements
- NS-450 — Leadership in Professional Nursing Seminar and Practicum (4 cr.) — capstone clinical leadership experience
- Cultural competence in clinical settings: Every specialty clinical course explicitly integrates culturally competent care into patient assessment, planning, and intervention — reflecting Monroe’s mission to prepare nurses for New York City’s diverse patient populations
- Clinical partners: Specific named clinical affiliate institutions are not published in available materials. Monroe’s admission materials note clinical hours are completed at “community partner sites” where COVID vaccination is mandated for student placement. Contact Monroe University admissions for current clinical partner information
- Simulation: NS-119 uses simulation and lab practice to build foundational clinical skills before live patient placement; NS-250 also blends lab and simulation alongside clinical rotations
- Campus locations: New Rochelle campus (primary) with Bronx campus; New York metropolitan area clinical access
Tuition
Estimated total program cost: ~$38,048 (4 semesters)
Monroe charges $8,412 per semester for full-time undergraduate enrollment (12–18 credits). The 57-credit nursing major at approximately 14 credits per semester falls within the flat-rate range across all four terms.
| Component | Per Semester | × 4 Semesters | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Full-time tuition (12–18 cr.) | $8,412 | 4 | $33,648 |
Administrative fee (full-time) | $900 | 4 | $3,600 |
Instructional Resource Fee (9+ cr.) | $200 | 4 | $800 |
Estimated tuition + fees total | $9,512 | 4 | ~$38,048 |
No nursing-specific program fee is listed in Monroe’s published fee schedule for the ABSN — confirm with the Bursar whether any additional nursing program fee applies.
Cost comparison — NYC-area private ABSNs in this review:
| Program | Estimated Tuition |
|---|---|
Monroe University | ~$38,048 |
Iona University | ~$59,980 |
Dominican University ABSN | ~$55,062 |
Manhattanville University | ~$57,950 |
LIU Brooklyn | ~$55,000–$65,000 |
D’Youville University | ~$72,000–$75,000 |
At ~$38,048, Monroe is approximately $17,000–$37,000 less expensive than every other private ABSN in the New York metropolitan area reviewed on this site. Financial aid is available through Monroe’s standard undergraduate financial aid processes; contact the admissions office for ABSN-specific aid information.
See the official tuition page for more details: Monroe University Tuition & Fees
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), ensuring quality standards and recognition in the healthcare field.