| #1 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester | Sewell, NJ | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | South Jersey commuters seeking affordability | |
A public community college in Sewell, Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester is part of the RCSJ system and primarily serves Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties, putting it within a comfortable commute for Moorestown residents. Its one-year practical nursing certificate is cohort-based and emphasizes clinical placements at sites within a 90-minute radius, often in local hospitals and long-term care settings. With a net price of $12,378 and typical graduate debt of $12,000, it offers a cost-effective path to LPN licensure. - One-year program completed in two semesters.
- Starts fall semester with cohort-based structure.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN and LPN licensure.
- Portfolio-based competitive admission process.
- Clinical placements within 90 minutes of campus.
- Mandatory information session attendance required.
- Academic Certificate awarded upon completion.
- General education courses transferable to RN pathways.
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| #2 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus | Vineland, NJ | $11,000/yr | Rural clinical immersion near Vineland | |
Located in Vineland, Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus is a sister institution to Gloucester, sharing the same practical nursing curriculum and academic certificate pathway. Its clinical rotations draw on rural and suburban healthcare facilities within a 90-minute radius, offering a distinctive practice setting. The net price is slightly lower at $10,562, with similar graduate debt of $12,000, making it an even more budget-friendly option for South Jersey learners willing to drive a bit farther. - One-year program with two-semester curriculum.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam and state licensure.
- Competitive admission with portfolio submission.
- Clinical sites within 90-minute radius; transportation required.
- Cohort begins each fall; mandatory information sessions.
- Academic Certificate awarded.
- General education credits transferable for advanced nursing degrees.
- Rural and suburban clinical experiences in South Jersey.
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| #3 | Holy Name Medical Center-Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing | Englewood Cliffs, NJ | $24,000/yr | Hospital-integrated training with high ROI | |
Holy Name Medical Center-Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing is a private, hospital-based program in Englewood Cliffs, intimately tied to a major North Jersey health network. Its LPN program delivers extensive clinical training inside the Holy Name system, creating a direct pipeline to employment upon licensure. The school reports a 100% institution-wide graduation and retention rate, and graduates see strong median earnings of $87,408 ten years after completion, though tuition is higher at $23,914. - 60-week program combining theory and clinical training.
- Approved by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing.
- ACEN-accredited with a focus on patient-centered care.
- Provides 17 transferable college credits.
- Hands-on skills lab and clinical experiences in care facilities.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN and LPN licensure.
- Eligible for financial aid options.
- Emphasizes safety competencies and clinical judgment.
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| #4 | Jersey College | Teterboro, NJ | $53,000/yr | | |
Jersey College is a private institution with campuses across New Jersey, including Teterboro, and it promotes flexible scheduling for aspiring practical nurses. Its LPN program integrates academic coursework with clinical placements in hospital-based settings, offering access to large health system networks. The net price is $52,558, and the median debt is $21,000, with median ten-year earnings of $66,087. While the graduation rate of 44.8% reflects the institution as a whole, the program is designed to accommodate students at various life stages. - Campus-based program with flexible scheduling options.
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam.
- Accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- Combines academic coursework with clinical training.
- Focus on holistic patient care and hands-on experience.
- High school diploma or GED required for admission.
- Designed for aspiring practical nurses at various life stages.
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| #5 | UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ | Cranford, NJ | $8,000/yr (net price) | | |
UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, a public community college in Cranford, provides a four-semester practical nursing certificate that blends biological and social sciences with varied clinical rotations. The program is actively pursuing NLN CNEA accreditation, and it maintains strong articulation pathways to RN and higher nursing degrees within the state. In-state tuition is $9,500, but the net price after aid drops to $8,257, and median debt is $15,091, though median ten-year earnings are a more modest $41,595. - Four-semester program with daytime courses.
- Diverse clinical rotation schedules (day, evening, weekend).
- Curriculum integrates biological and social sciences.
- CPR certification and malpractice insurance required.
- Health documentation and criminal background check needed.
- Official uniform mandatory for clinicals.
- Pursuing accreditation from NLN CNEA.
- Prepares for entry-level nursing in hospitals and long-term care.
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| #6 | Berkeley College-Woodland Park | Woodland Park, NJ | $27,000/yr | | |
Berkeley College-Woodland Park offers a practical nurse certificate through a private college that operates multiple New Jersey campuses, providing continuity for students who may later pursue non-nursing degrees. The program is available in 60-week day or 75-week evening tracks, with rolling admissions and clinical rotations at off-campus facilities supervised by RN instructors. Net price is $27,100, and median graduate debt is $23,251; ten-year median earnings are $40,251. The school has a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, supporting small learning cohorts. - 60-week day or 75-week evening program.
- Rolling admissions with fall start dates.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN and LPN licensure.
- Hands-on learning in on-site nursing labs.
- Clinical rotations at off-campus facilities supervised by RNs.
- Entrance exam or SAT/ACT scores required.
- Small cohorts with supportive faculty.
- Strong emphasis on communication and interpersonal skills.
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| #7 | Essex County College | Newark, NJ | $4,000/yr (net price) | | |
Essex County College, a public community college in Newark, offers a 49-credit licensed practical nurse certificate that is among the most affordable in the state, with a net price of $4,436. The curriculum covers adult, maternal, child, and mental health nursing and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN. However, the institution-wide graduation rate is only 19.9%, and median ten-year earnings of $37,230 are the lowest in this ranking. Its strong transfer pathways into NJ public RN programs remain a notable benefit. - 49-credit comprehensive LPN program.
- Accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN examination.
- Covers adult, maternal, child, and mental health nursing.
- Clinical placement required in diverse healthcare settings.
- Emphasizes cognitive, psychomotor, and communication skills.
- Low net price and access to NJ public transfer pathways.
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