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Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

January 18, 2026

Explore 20 accredited nursing programs across New Jersey, from affordable community colleges to prestigious universities. Compare tuition, acceptance rates, and graduate earnings to find your path to an RN or BSN degree.

New Jersey offers prospective nursing students a robust selection of educational pathways—from affordable 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs at community colleges to rigorous 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees at public and private universities. Whether you're a high school graduate, career changer, or working professional, New Jersey's 20 accredited nursing programs provide flexible, accessible routes into one of the nation's most in-demand healthcare professions.

This guide walks you through the state's top nursing schools, program options, costs, and competitive metrics to help you make an informed decision about your nursing education.

Overview of Nursing Education in New Jersey

New Jersey's nursing education landscape includes 10 community colleges and 10 universities offering nursing degrees. The state's strategic location in the Northeast Corridor, combined with proximity to major medical centers and healthcare employers, creates strong clinical training opportunities and robust job placement for graduates.

Key Facts:

10 community colleges offer 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs
10 universities offer 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and graduate nursing degrees
Tuition range: $3,960–$51,370 per year depending on institution type and residency status
Nursing graduate earnings: $68,574–$124,617 annually, depending on degree level and specialization

The choice between a community college ADN and a university BSN is significant and affects both cost and career trajectory. We'll break down both pathways below.

Top University Nursing Programs in New Jersey

Public Universities with Strong Nursing Programs

Rutgers University–New Brunswick (New Brunswick)

Rutgers' nursing program is one of New Jersey's most competitive and prestigious. The university enrolls 36,357 students across all programs, with a nursing program that attracts high-achieving students.

Tuition: $17,239/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 65.3%
Graduation Rate: 84.7%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $124,617/year (Doctoral Degree)

Rutgers offers both BSN and graduate nursing degrees, including doctoral programs. The high graduation rate (84.7%) reflects strong student support and program quality. Graduates earning $124,617 annually represent nurses with advanced degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD).

Rutgers University–Newark (Newark)

Rutgers' Newark campus also offers nursing education with slightly lower tuition than New Brunswick.

Tuition: $16,586/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 78.7%
Graduation Rate: 66.9%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $124,617/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 7,187 students

The College of New Jersey (Ewing)

TCNJ is known for rigorous academics and strong nursing outcomes. It's the most selective nursing program in the data, with competitive admission standards.

Tuition: $18,685/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 62.1% (most selective)
Graduation Rate: 85.5% (highest among universities)
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $107,809/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 6,831 students

TCNJ's 85.5% graduation rate is exceptional and indicates strong student preparation and institutional support. The higher tuition reflects the college's reputation and resources.

Rowan University (Glassboro)

Rowan offers an excellent value proposition with moderate tuition and strong graduate outcomes.

Tuition: $15,700/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 77.8%
Graduation Rate: 68.2%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $119,453/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 14,647 students

Montclair State University (Montclair)

Montclair has the highest acceptance rate among 4-year universities, making it accessible while maintaining quality.

Tuition: $14,766/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 87.4% (most accessible)
Graduation Rate: 64.8%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $104,219/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 17,677 students

Stockton University (Galloway)

Stockton offers strong accessibility with excellent graduation outcomes.

Tuition: $15,532/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 88.2%
Graduation Rate: 73.7%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $78,974/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 7,770 students

William Paterson University (Wayne)

William Paterson has the highest acceptance rate among all universities and offers competitive nursing salaries.

Tuition: $15,150/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 92.5% (highest among universities)
Graduation Rate: 51.9%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $122,569/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 6,526 students

Kean University (Union)

Kean offers the lowest tuition among 4-year universities but has a lower graduation rate.

Tuition: $13,426/year (in-state) (lowest among universities)
Acceptance Rate: 76.9%
Graduation Rate: 47.0%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $106,550/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 10,842 students

Private University Option

Seton Hall University (South Orange)

Seton Hall is New Jersey's only private nonprofit nursing program in this dataset. It commands significantly higher tuition but offers a smaller, more personalized educational experience.

Tuition: $51,370/year (private nonprofit)
Acceptance Rate: 78.9%
Graduation Rate: 71.6%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $101,587/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 5,924 students

The $51,370 annual tuition is 3x higher than public universities but may be offset by financial aid packages and the smaller class sizes typical of private institutions.

Community College Nursing Programs: The Affordable ADN Path

Community colleges offer a cost-effective entry into nursing through Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs. Graduates pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses, earning significantly less initially than BSN graduates but with lower educational debt.

Tuition Comparison:

Most affordable: Camden County College at $3,960/year
Mid-range: Middlesex College ($4,524/year), Ocean County College ($4,690/year), Bergen Community College ($4,757/year)
Higher-cost: County College of Morris ($6,210/year), Brookdale Community College ($5,921/year)

Key Community College Programs:

School	Location	Tuition	Grad Earnings
Camden County College	Blackwood	$3,960	$73,914
Middlesex College	Edison	$4,524	$73,280
Ocean County College	Toms River	$4,690	$68,574
Bergen Community College	Paramus	$4,757	$82,574
Hudson County Community College	Jersey City	$5,020	$75,226
Rowan College at Burlington County	Mount Laurel	$4,968	$69,376
UCNJ Union College	Cranford	$5,280	$78,380
Essex County College	Newark	$5,346	$74,320
Brookdale Community College	Lincroft	$5,921	$73,281
County College of Morris	Randolph	$6,210	$74,080

ADN vs. BSN Earnings Gap: Community college ADN graduates earn $68,574–$82,574 annually, compared to $101,587–$124,617 for BSN and graduate degree holders. However, the 2-year path costs $9,048–$12,420 total, versus $55,000–$74,740 for a 4-year university degree.

Bridge Programs: ADN to BSN

Many New Jersey universities accept ADN graduates and offer RN-to-BSN bridge programs, allowing community college graduates to earn a bachelor's degree while working as nurses. This pathway reduces initial debt while maintaining career advancement opportunities.

How to Choose the Right Nursing Program

Selecting a nursing program requires balancing multiple factors:

1. Cost vs. Earning Potential

Community colleges cost $3,960–$6,210/year but lead to $68,574–$82,574 starting salaries
Universities cost $13,426–$18,685/year (public) or $51,370 (private) but lead to $104,219–$124,617 earnings with advanced degrees
Calculate total cost of attendance (tuition + living expenses + books) and compare to projected lifetime earnings

2. Admission Selectivity

Most selective: The College of New Jersey (62.1% acceptance)
Most accessible: William Paterson University (92.5% acceptance)
Competitive programs (65–78% acceptance): Rutgers, Rowan, Kean, Montclair
Your GPA, prerequisite grades, and TEAS/HESI exam scores matter significantly for nursing program admission

3. Graduation Rates

Highest: The College of New Jersey (85.5%), Rutgers-New Brunswick (84.7%)
Lowest: Kean University (47.0%), William Paterson (51.9%)
Higher graduation rates correlate with better student support and program quality

4. Program Length and Flexibility

2-year ADN: Faster entry into the workforce; lower cost; requires bridge program for BSN
4-year BSN: Higher upfront cost; broader clinical training; better advancement prospects
Online/hybrid options: Thomas Edison State University ($6,638/year) specializes in distance learning for working professionals

5. Clinical Training Locations

Programs near major medical centers (Newark, Jersey City, New Brunswick) offer more diverse clinical placements
Rural programs may offer unique rural health training opportunities

Nursing Job Market in New Jersey

New Jersey's healthcare sector is robust, with strong demand for registered nurses across hospitals, long-term care, home health, and specialty clinics.

Salary Context:

Entry-level RN (ADN): $68,574–$82,574
BSN-prepared RN: $101,587–$107,809
Advanced practice (MSN, DNP): $119,453–$124,617

Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth in registered nursing jobs through 2032, faster than average for all occupations. New Jersey's aging population and proximity to major medical research centers (Princeton, Newark) drive sustained demand.

Employer Concentration: Major employers include:

University Hospital System (Newark)
Rutgers University Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Hackensack Meridian Health
Atlantic Health System

Financial Aid for Nursing Students in New Jersey

Federal Aid

Pell Grants: Up to $7,395 for 2024–25 (income-dependent)
Federal Student Loans: Unsubsidized loans up to $5,500–$7,500/year for undergraduates
Work-Study: On-campus employment opportunities

State Aid

New Jersey Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG): Up to $3,145/year for eligible public university students
Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF): Support for disadvantaged students

Nursing-Specific Scholarships

New Jersey Nurse Loan Repayment Program: Repays loans for nurses working in underserved areas
Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness: Available through some employers (hospitals) in exchange for service commitments

Institutional Aid

Most universities offer merit scholarships for strong GPA/test scores
Need-based aid packages vary; private universities (Seton Hall) often offer substantial aid to offset high tuition

Estimated Net Cost After Aid:

Community college: $3,000–$5,000/year after grants
Public university: $8,000–$12,000/year after grants and scholarships
Private university: $25,000–$40,000/year after aid (highly variable)

Next Steps: Compare Programs on GradeToGrad

Ready to explore New Jersey nursing programs in detail? Visit GradeToGrad's nursing program search to:

Compare tuition, acceptance rates, and graduation rates side-by-side
Read student reviews from current and former nursing students
Check program accreditation and NCLEX pass rates
Explore financial aid packages and scholarship opportunities
Schedule campus visits and connect with admissions counselors

Action Items:

Identify your priority factors: Cost, selectivity, location, program length
Take the TEAS or HESI exam: Required for most nursing program applications
Complete prerequisite courses: Biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology (typically required)
Request information packets from 3–5 programs that match your criteria
Schedule campus visits to experience the program environment and speak with current students
Submit applications early: Nursing programs fill quickly; apply by application deadlines (typically fall/winter)
Prepare for interviews: Many programs conduct interviews; practice answering questions about your nursing motivation

Conclusion

New Jersey's 20 nursing programs offer diverse pathways to a rewarding career in healthcare. Whether you prioritize affordability (community colleges at $3,960–$6,210/year), prestige (Rutgers, TCNJ), or accessibility (William Paterson at 92.5% acceptance), you'll find a program aligned with your goals and circumstances.

The decision between a 2-year ADN and 4-year BSN is personal—weigh your financial situation, timeline, and long-term career aspirations. Both paths lead to RN licensure and earning potential of $68,574–$124,617 annually, depending on degree level and specialization.

Start your comparison on GradeToGrad today and take the first step toward becoming a registered nurse in New Jersey.