Compare top NJ nursing programs by NCLEX pass rates, costs, outcomes, and clinical quality.
New Jersey registered nurses earn a mean annual wage of $106,990, well above the national median, but that earning potential draws intense competition for seats in the state's strongest BSN programs.
Large health systems like RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health partner closely with nursing schools, making clinical placement quality a decisive factor in program choice.
Students navigate a mix of traditional four-year BSNs, 14- to 16-month accelerated tracks for career changers, and RN-to-BSN bridges that build on existing licensure. The high stakes of admission and the wide spread in tuition and graduate earnings mean that choosing a program without scrutinizing NCLEX outcomes and employer relationships can leave graduates with debt that outpaces their early-career salary.
New Jersey offers a wealth of BSN options, from large public research universities to small private colleges. Our 2026 rankings highlight programs based on affordability, graduate outcomes, and program-specific strengths, drawing on the latest federal and institutional data. Use this list to find the right fit for your nursing career goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Rutgers University-Newark | Newark, NJ | $20,000/yr (net price) | Future RNs wanting diverse urban clinical immersion | |
Rutgers University–Newark anchors one of New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive nursing schools, recognized with the 2025 HEED Award for diversity. Its traditional BSN combines Newark and New Brunswick rotations, with access to Rutgers Health’s statewide clinical network. The institution reports a 63.8% overall graduation rate, though nursing outcomes typically exceed university averages.
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| #2 | Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | $24,000/yr (net price) | Research-oriented learners in a classic college town | |
Rutgers University–New Brunswick shares the same nationally ranked School of Nursing as the Newark campus, with the same 96% NCLEX pass rate in 2024. Its campus-based traditional BSN offers full integration into a major research university and extensive clinical partnerships across central New Jersey. The school’s overall graduation rate is 83.6%, reflecting strong institutional support.
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| #3 | Ramapo College of New Jersey | Mahwah, NJ | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Students wanting hospital-integrated clinical training | |
Ramapo College’s Generic BSN is built around a longstanding partnership with The Valley Hospital, giving students clinical placements in top North Jersey healthcare settings. The campus-based program follows ANA and AACN standards, with a competitive nursing sequence reserved for qualified juniors. Ramapo’s overall graduation rate is 69.8%, with a net price that’s among the lowest in the state.
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| #4 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ | $20,000 – $26,000/yr | ||
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) produces baccalaureate-prepared nurses for central New Jersey hospitals through a rigorous four-year BSN that starts clinical experiences in sophomore year. TCNJ’s overall graduation rate stands at 85.9%, one of the highest in the state. The program emphasizes patient-centered care and NCLEX readiness, with a strong liberal arts foundation.
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| #5 | Rutgers University-Camden | Camden, NJ | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Rutgers University–Camden extends the university’s nursing school into South Jersey, offering a BSN that blends liberal arts, high-tech simulation, and global study opportunities. As part of the statewide Rutgers network, it carries the same HEED diversity recognition and clinical breadth. The institution’s overall graduation rate is 66.7%, with a net price under $19,000 for in-state students.
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| #6 | Kean University | Union, NJ | $14,000 – $22,000/yr | ||
Kean University’s accelerated 3-Year Prelicensure BSN is an intensive 120-credit track for students seeking a fast entry into nursing, with small class sizes and simulation labs. The program holds provisional NJ Board of Nursing accreditation and serves a diverse student body. Kean’s overall graduation rate is 46.6%, but its net price of $12,447 is the lowest among ranked public schools.
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| #7 | Montclair State University | Montclair, NJ | ~$16,000/yr (est.) | ||
Montclair State University offers a traditional 4-year BSN plus a pre-licensure MSN for career changers, both campus-based with early clinical exposure and a simulation center. The school reports an overall graduation rate of 64.7%, and it draws heavily from North Jersey communities. Montclair’s net price is a competitive $15,566.
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| #8 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | $22,000/yr (net price) | ||
Rowan University’s cooperative BSN pathway with Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing is a new model expanding baccalaureate capacity in South Jersey. Students begin at Rowan before transitioning to the diploma phase, preparing for NCLEX and eventual RN-BSN completion. Rowan’s overall graduation rate is 67.4%, and the program is CCNE accredited.
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| #9 | Stockton University | Galloway, NJ | $21,000/yr (net price) | ||
Stockton University’s prelicensure and accelerated BSN programs serve southern New Jersey’s coastal communities, with competitive admissions (minimum 3.5 GPA) and CCNE accreditation. The university’s overall graduation rate is 68.5%. Stockton emphasizes ethical practice and holistic care across diverse clinical settings.
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| #10 | Saint Peter's University | Jersey City, NJ | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City offers a generic BSN and an accelerated BSN, both accredited by CCNE and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The urban campus places students in Hudson County clinical sites, with a strong focus on serving immigrant and underserved populations. Its net price of $12,199 is the lowest of all ranked schools.
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We build every nursing school ranking from federal education and earnings databases, not from opinion surveys or advertising dollars. That means you can trace each factor back to a verifiable source and understand exactly why one school appears above another.
The rankings pull from two public datasets. Program-level earnings and debt figures come from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Institution-level metrics , graduation rates and net price , are drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). All numbers reflect the most recent federal snapshot available at the time of this analysis (academic year 2023-2024).
Each program receives a composite score based on weighted factors that research shows matter most for nursing graduates:
No ranking can capture everything that makes a nursing program a good fit. These scores do not measure clinical placement quality, faculty-to-student ratios, or day-to-day student satisfaction. Hard-to-quantify strengths , like a hospital partnership that leads directly to a job offer , aren’t reflected in federal datasets. Use the rankings as a starting point for cost and outcomes, then dig into program details that matter to you.
Many nursing school lists mix in editorial judgement or accept paid placements from schools. We don’t. Every factor is a publicly verifiable data point, weighted so that earnings and affordability drive the order. No school can pay to appear or move up. The result is a ranking you can check yourself, built on numbers you can trace.
New Jersey’s public community colleges provide some of the most affordable nursing pathways, with net prices far below published tuition. Net price, the amount students pay after grants and scholarships, ranges from just over $5,000 to about $11,400 annually among the top-ranked programs. While private four-year BSN programs can cost significantly more, these associate-degree programs keep costs and debt manageable.
New Jersey nursing students face a wide range of costs and earnings depending on their school. The table compares in-state and out-of-state tuition, net price after aid, median debt at completion, median earnings ten years after entry, and the return on investment (ROI) ratio for ranked programs. Note that the net price shown is an institution-wide average and may not reflect nursing-specific costs; typical additional fees for clinical labs, simulation, uniforms, and NCLEX prep can add $2,000 to $5,000 or more. Among the highest-value programs are County College of Morris and Thomas Edison State University, both with ROI ratios above 5.5, while private schools like Seton Hall University and public flagship Rutgers University show higher debt but strong earnings.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Median Debt at Completion | Median Earnings (10-yr) | ROI Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County College of Morris | $10,530 | $14,310 | $8,895 | $9,000 | $50,243 | 5.58 |
| Thomas Edison State University | $6,838 | $8,856 | N/A | $12,500 | $69,331 | 5.55 |
| Raritan Valley Community College | $7,584 | $7,584 | $6,778 | $10,500 | $48,145 | 4.59 |
| Rowan College at Burlington County | $7,495 | $9,495 | $5,344 | $10,500 | $44,745 | 4.26 |
| Mercer County Community College | $7,806 | $9,174 | $5,279 | $10,500 | $43,264 | 4.12 |
| Ocean County College | $5,218 | $6,970 | $11,411 | $11,150 | $45,210 | 4.05 |
| Salem Community College | $7,380 | $10,260 | $10,816 | $9,500 | $38,020 | 4.00 |
| Brookdale Community College | $9,390 | $10,140 | $11,231 | $12,000 | $44,379 | 3.70 |
| Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester | $6,000 | $6,000 | $12,378 | $12,000 | $41,751 | 3.48 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | $17,250 | $36,762 | $19,703 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 3.46 |
| Rutgers University | $17,929 | $37,441 | $24,406 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 3.46 |
| Rutgers University-Camden | $17,764 | $37,276 | $18,745 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 3.46 |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | $16,777 | $27,708 | $18,173 | $21,000 | $67,541 | 3.22 |
| The College of New Jersey | $19,632 | $25,752 | $27,646 | $23,250 | $73,323 | 3.15 |
| Seton Hall University | $53,170 | $53,170 | $31,446 | $22,750 | $70,196 | 3.09 |
A single year's NCLEX pass rate can be misleading, a program with a small graduating cohort might swing from 70% to 95% simply because a handful of students passed or failed. Smart applicants look beyond a single data point to understand how a nursing school truly prepares its graduates for licensure.
In 2025, the national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated students was 86.7%, according to NCSBN data. When you include all candidates, including internationally educated repeat test-takers, that figure dropped to 69.1%. New Jersey nursing programs, as a whole, posted first-time pass rates in the 79% to 82% range during the 2024-2025 testing cycle. While the state average trails the national benchmark for U.S. graduates, several New Jersey schools consistently meet or exceed it. For instance, RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing reported an 85.09% first-time pass rate in 2025, putting it above the state average and within striking distance of the national norm.
Nursing programs with small cohorts, sometimes 30 or fewer test-takers in a given year, can see pass rates fluctuate wildly. A single struggling student or a temporary change in curriculum can create a double-digit drop that says little about long-term quality. Conversely, a one-year spike doesn’t guarantee sustained excellence. Reviewing two to three years of pass rate data, when available, paints a more reliable picture. Look for programs where rates stay at or above the state average year after year, even if the exact number bounces. Consistency suggests a program has systems in place to support all students, not just an exceptional class.
Because the New Jersey Board of Nursing publishes annual pass rate data, you can often track a school’s performance over time. When gathering this information, pay attention to cohort size; a school that graduates 150 students with an 85% pass rate offers more statistical confidence than one with 15 graduates and a 90% rate. Also, note whether a program reports results for first-time test-takers only, which is the standard comparison point. Some schools that claim high pass rates may be mixing first-time and repeat takers, inflating the numbers. When you compare programs, always use the same metric, first-time pass rates, to keep things fair.
Ultimately, a consistent track record, not a single banner year, signals a nursing school that will give you the preparation you need to pass the NCLEX and launch your career.
Clinical training is no longer just a requirement; it is the centerpiece of how New Jersey nursing schools prepare students for licensure and practice. The strength of a program's hospital network, the quality of simulation labs, and the transparency around placement policies directly shape your readiness for the NCLEX and your first nursing job. The steps below walk you through how to verify what each school really offers.
Clinical rotations bridge classroom theory and patient care. In New Jersey, nursing programs partner with a range of sites, from large academic medical centers to community hospitals and specialty clinics. Major systems such as RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, Atlantic Health System, and Cooper University Health Care serve as training grounds for many BSN students. These relationships determine not only where you might complete rotations but also which patient populations, technologies, and care models you encounter. A school that rotates students through multiple Magnet-designated hospitals, for example, exposes you to environments with proven nursing excellence and better patient outcomes.
Start with the school’s official website. Navigate to the nursing department or BSN program page and look for sections labeled "Clinical Affiliations," "Partners," or "Practice Sites." Many top New Jersey programs list their collaborating hospitals outright. For instance, Rutgers School of Nursing openly shares its extensive clinical network, which includes RWJBarnabas facilities, while Seton Hall notes partnerships with Hackensack Meridian and other regional providers. If a school does not publish a clear list, consider that a red flag and plan to ask directly.
Magnet hospitals meet rigorous standards for nursing practice, developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). In New Jersey, major Magnet facilities include Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, and Cooper University Hospital, among others. Cross-referencing a school’s published affiliations with the ANCC’s list of current Magnet hospitals gives you a quick quality check: the more Magnet sites in the rotation mix, the likelier you are to train in environments that prioritize nurse autonomy and evidence-based care. Magnet data is available for free on the ANCC website, and you can search by state.
A website won’t answer everything. Contact the nursing program’s admissions office or clinical placement coordinator with specific questions. These are the most revealing:
Programs with robust partnerships often have dedicated staff who can answer these promptly. Their willingness to share specifics is itself a signal.
For aggregate data on clinical training partnerships across New Jersey, turn to the New Jersey Board of Nursing and the New Jersey Hospital Association. While the Board of Nursing regulates program standards and can confirm whether a school meets clinical hour requirements, the Hospital Association’s member directory can help you identify additional teaching hospitals in your desired region. Neither resource will hand you a school ranking, but they provide context to evaluate what you learn from individual programs. Use them to build a shortlist of schools that align with your geographic preferences and career goals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that New Jersey registered nurses earn a mean annual wage of $106,990, well above the national median of $93,600. Job growth is projected at 6.3% through 2032, with the New York–Newark–Jersey City metro area averaging $115,650. Graduates from top programs often see even stronger earnings, a factor weighted in the rankings alongside one-year and ten-year median earnings from College Scorecard.
In New Jersey, overall university acceptance rates can be misleading. Rutgers-New Brunswick admits about 58% of all applicants, and Rowan University admits roughly 78%. But nursing programs are far more selective. For example, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has an overall acceptance rate of 62%, yet its traditional BSN program accepts an estimated 7% of applicants. Rowan’s BSN sees roughly 11%, while Seton Hall’s traditional BSN is estimated at 30%. These figures are third-party estimates and may not reflect official data, but they highlight a consistent pattern: you cannot rely on a school’s general admission stats when targeting nursing.1 Even schools with high overall acceptance rates can have nursing spots that are fiercely competitive.
Nearly every BSN program in New Jersey requires a foundation of science and math courses. Expect to complete Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Statistics, often with a grade of B or better. Some programs also want psychology or developmental psychology. Official GPA cutoffs vary, but many competitive programs look for a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, with higher marks in prerequisite sciences. Rutgers’ RN-to-BS track sets a preferred minimum GPA of 3.2 for licensed RNs; traditional prelicensure tracks can be even tougher.2 Check each program for its specific minimums: some will consider applications conditionally while prerequisites are in progress, but having them complete strengthens your application.
Most New Jersey nursing schools require applicants to take either the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or the HESI A2 entrance exam. These tests assess reading, math, science, and English language skills. Scores are often a make-or-break factor; many programs post recommended or cut-off score ranges on their websites. Preparing with review books or online courses is common, and you may need to schedule the test months ahead of your application deadline.
Even if you meet every eligibility threshold, a seat is not guaranteed. Many NJ programs maintain waitlists, sometimes one to two semesters long. This means a qualified applicant might start a semester later than planned, or not at all. Because space is limited, strategic application matters. Nursing programs typically use rolling admission or firm deadlines. Rolling admission fills seats as applications arrive, so applying early gives you an edge. Deadline-based programs often review all applications after the close date, making it essential to submit by the priority deadline to be considered for the first round.
These steps won’t guarantee a spot, but they stack the deck in your favor. The reality is that nursing school admission in New Jersey demands more than a high GPA, it requires careful planning, early preparation, and a clear understanding of program-specific hurdles.
Most accelerated BSN programs in New Jersey can be completed in 14 to 16 months, allowing career changers to enter nursing in less than a year and a half. Beyond the traditional four-year BSN, the state offers several pathways to fit different backgrounds and schedules.
The traditional BSN is a four-year, on-campus program for students starting college for the first time. For those with a previous bachelor’s degree in another field, an accelerated BSN (ABSN) compresses nursing coursework into a fast-paced format. Working RNs with an associate degree or diploma can pursue an RN-to-BSN, which builds on existing clinical experience and often features evening, weekend, or online options. Some schools also offer part-time or hybrid tracks for students who need to work while completing prerequisites or clinical hours.
Several New Jersey universities run ABSN programs that pack a full BSN curriculum into 14 to 16 months of intensive study. Application requirements typically include a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, though some programs set the bar at 3.2. Here are the main options:
These programs have intense schedules, often with daytime classes and clinical rotations, so working during the ABSN is generally not recommended.
For students who must continue working while in school, several flexible models exist. RN-to-BSN programs are the most common choice for practicing nurses and frequently offer evening, weekend, or fully online coursework. Thomas Edison State University’s RN-to-BSN, for example, is built entirely online and allows self-paced enrollment. Some traditional BSN programs also permit part-time study after completing prerequisites, though clinical placements must still be done in person.
Hybrid ABSN formats, like Felician’s, blend online theory with on-ground labs, reducing the number of in-person days each week. While full-time, these can be slightly more manageable for students with limited work commitments. When researching programs, ask about cohort schedules, on-campus attendance requirements, and whether clinical sites are close to home or work, these details can significantly affect your ability to balance school and other responsibilities.
Finding the right BSN program in New Jersey often comes down to a choice between up-front affordability and long-term career flexibility. While the lowest published tuition can ease immediate financial strain, a program’s track record for NCLEX success, employer reputation, and graduate earnings may matter more over a decade of practice. The steps below help you sort through the data and make a grounded decision.
Start by visiting the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website to pull salary numbers for registered nurses in New Jersey specifically. The BLS breaks down wages by region and employer type, so you can see how a hospital-based RN in Newark compares to an outpatient nurse in Atlantic City. BSN-prepared nurses out-earn diploma and associate-degree nurses, and the BLS job outlook points to faster-than-average growth for BSN holders. When reviewing any salary figure, note whether it reflects national or state-level median, because New Jersey’s wages often run above the national average.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator lets you look up enrollment headcounts, retention rates, and on-time graduation trends for every BSN-granting school in the state. A program with shrinking enrollment or a graduation rate well below the state average deserves a closer look. Use the tool to confirm that the program has maintained stable or growing completion numbers, which signals a supportive learning environment.
The New Jersey Board of Nursing maintains a current list of approved pre-licensure programs. Cross-check that list against each school’s website, where you should find first-time NCLEX pass rates from recent years. A consistently high pass rate (above 90 percent) is a strong indicator of curriculum quality. Meanwhile, compare admission prerequisites: some programs require prior healthcare experience or a higher GPA, which can affect your timeline.
Professional associations like the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) sometimes release employer perception surveys or workforce briefs that hint at which schools area hospitals prefer. Reaching out to a program’s career services office can also yield unofficial but telling details about recent graduate placement rates and employer relationships.
Prospective nursing students in New Jersey often have questions about program quality, costs, and career prospects. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries.
These additional New Jersey nursing schools offer strong alternatives for students seeking a program that fits their location, budget, or career goals. While they fell outside our top 10 ranking, each provides accredited training and pathways to RN licensure. Compare costs and graduate earnings in the table above to find the best financial fit for your situation.
