Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

From the 127 miles of coastline alongside the Atlantic Ocean to the countless acres of farmland, New Jersey is a state filled with diverse areas ideal for tourists and residents alike. If you decide this is the state for you, the next step is to determine how you want to make a living. You might consider attending one of the best nursing schools in New Jersey. If you’re looking to become a nurse, the mean wage in the “Garden State” was $82,010 annually as of May 2017, and the state is known for several of its nursing schools.

About the Nursing Profession and Becoming a Nurse in New Jersey

The New Jersey Board of Nursing is the governing organization which oversees accreditation for nursing programs in the state of New Jersey. The state board is also responsible for the licensure of nurses. Besides the Board holding nursing schools to the highest level of standards to increase the likelihood of prospective nurses passing the board-issued exam, the “Garden State” fares well in terms of pay as well. For instance, the Jersey City region ranks the third highest paying metropolitan areas for registered nurses (RNs). Nurses in this region make an average of $90,840 per year, more if they earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Generally, it takes two years to complete an undergraduate degree program while a graduate program usually takes two to six years to finish. However, if you keep up with an accelerated BSN program, you may reduce the time it takes to earn your degree. Whether you want to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or another type of nursing program, you’ll be sure to find an option here.

List of the top nursing schools in New Jersey in 2024

1. Seton Hall University

Seton Hall University makes our list as one of our top-ranked nursing schools in New Jersey. This private Roman Catholic educational institution has a long history beginning in 1856.

College of Nursing students spend most of their time at Seton Hall’s Interprofessional Sciences Campus in Nutley, New Jersey. This integrated and interprofessional environment allows for a unique and innovative team-based approach to medical education. This gives a large advantage to our student’s ability to work collaboratively, improve patient care and be better prepared for entering the healthcare profession. You can’t earn your practical nursing license at this college though; it’s strictly for people who want to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or further their education even more. You may choose to earn your BSN as either your primary degree or as an accelerated secondary degree.

Seton Hall’s College of Nursing offers graduate degree programs in nursing in the following fields of study:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.)
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.)
• Master’s Level Entry Program: Clinical Nurse Leader (M.S.N.)
• R.N. to M.S.N. Degree Bridge
• Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate

This nonprofit university has a student population of more than 10,000 students. The size of the school body in comparison to the professors allows students to receive plenty of one-on-one with professors, considering the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: 93% (BSN)
• Program length or credit hours: 14-24 months
• Admission requirements: GPA 3.2 or higher
• Tuition: varies per program
• Accreditation: accredited as of 1932

2. The College of New Jersey

The College of New Jersey is a public university located in the Trenton suburb, Ewing Township. It arose in 1855 as the New Jersey State Normal School. Today, the school has a student body of approximately 7,552. Despite the large student population, the college is equipped to handle it with a 13:1 student-to-faculty educational staff.

At CNJ you can’t earn your practical nursing license, but they offer a BSN and an RN-to-BSN for undergraduates. The school also supplies several paths for those with a BSN who want to further their education including nurse practitioner, clinical nurse lead, school nurse, and RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This nursing school claims to have a 100-percent employment rate within six months of graduation.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.70%
• Program length or credit hours: 3 years
• Admission requirements: must be a nurse with a diploma or associate degree in nursing (ASN) who has a current nursing license in NJ
• Tuition: $13,000  to $16,000
• Accreditation: accredited since 1991

3. Rutgers School of Nursing

Rutgers University School of Nursing headquarters is in Newark with additional campuses in Stratford, Camden, and New Brunswick, New Jersey. The school offers three different choices for undergraduate degree programs including a traditional baccalaureate, second-degree baccalaureate, and an RN-to-BSN. You may earn your certificate to practice as a school nurse or earn credits to expand your knowledge rather than earn a degree. Rutgers has graduate degree programs in nursing like an MSN, a post-masters degree, Ph.D. in nursing, or a Ph.D. in urban systems. You can even opt to specialize in HIV care.

When you make a decision to go to school at any of Rutgers campuses, you can expect to receive one-on-one time with your professors since they have a 14:1 student-to-instructor ratio, even though they have approximately 6,853 students.

• NCLEX-RN: Pass Rate 93.1%
• Program length or credit hours:  124 credit hours
• Admission requirements: possess an associate degree or diploma in nursing, have a 3.2+ GPA and have current NJ nursing license
• Tuition: $12,000 to $21,000 per year
• Accreditation: accredited since 2001

4. William Paterson University of New Jersey

The William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public college located in Wayne, New Jersey, which is part of the New York City metropolitan area. This university is the second oldest college of the nine state colleges in New Jersey. If you opt for one of the nursing programs, you’ll attend the College of Science and Health in one of the following programs: general BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN in adult-gerontology, MSN in administration, master of science in education, master of science in nursing for a family nurse practitioner, or a doctorate in nursing. You could opt to earn one of the following certificates:

• Family nurse practitioner CERT
• School nurse practitioner instructional CERT
• School nurse practitioner noninstructional CERT
• Gainful employment disclosure for a family nurse practitioner, instructional school nurse practitioner, noninstructional nurse practitioner, or an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner.

This school is a bit larger than the other ones that made our list. The entire facility has 10,252 pupils while students still enjoy a personalized learning experience since it has a 14 to one student-to-professor ratio.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: 77.50%
• Program length or credit hours: 93 credits
• Admission requirements: C or higher in all required courses
• Tuition:  about $13,060
• Accreditation: accredited since 1958

5. Monmouth University

Monmouth University is a private university located in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The school is a bit smaller than the other ones that made our list with a total of 6,340 pupils at the schools and a 13 to one student-to-faculty ratio. The nursing programs offered at Monmouth University include an RN-to-BSN, BSN, Bridge to MSN, traditional MSN (emphases in forensic nursing or nursing education available), and nursing administration and nurse practitioner programs.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: 82%
• Program length or credit hours: 128 credit hours
• Admission requirements: current nursing license in NJ
• Tuition: $30,000 to $50,000 per year
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

6. Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo College of New Jersey is a liberal arts college open to the public. Located in Mahwah, New Jersey, the school is known for having more than 40 programs to select from including a BSN program in NJ.

The school’s student-to-faculty ratio is rather high compared to the other schools on this list, sitting at 17:1, but they will provide the resources you need to succeed in your nursing program. It’s worth noticing that Ramapo’s acceptance rate is relatively low.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: 98.6%
• Program length or credit hours: 30 or 31 credits
• Admission requirements: have to complete at least up to one semester before you earn your degree
• Tuition: $14,000 to $17,000 per year
• Accreditation: accredited since 1975

7. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private, nonprofit college accessible to both men and women. It arose in 1942 and is recognized as the first American university to own and operate a campus internationally. The school has two campuses in New Jersey: one in Madison and one in Teaneck.

This college offers over 100 programs including nursing. You may select from undergraduate programs like a B.S. in nursing, an accelerated B.S. in nursing, or an RN to BSN. You could also earn a master’s degree in nursing and specialize in adult-gerontology, forensic nursing, or family psychiatric/mental nursing. It’s possible to earn your doctorate at this college as well.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: over 90%
• Program length or credit hours: four years but can complete in two
• Admission requirements: must complete 64 credits, pass all science classes with a C or better
• Tuition: nearly $40,000 per year
• Accreditation: accredited since 1948

8. Rowan University

As one of the top nursing schools in NJ, Rowan University is a state university situated on a 25-acre plot. The campus is rather large with approximately 18,484 students attending. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1, so you probably won’t receive as much individualized attention, but you do receive an adequate amount to succeed.

Their nursing program has both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. At the undergraduate level, you can find the B.S. in Nursing (RN to BSN) which is offered online. It is 31 credits and can be accelerated or done one course at a time.

On the other hand, you can earn graduate degrees like a Master of Science in Nurse Educator or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Nurse Practitioner program. They offer 3 Nurse Practitioner tracks: Family, Adult Gerontology Acute Care and Psychiatric Mental Health. In Spring 2021, they will also offer a Nurse Executive degree.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: n/a
• Program length or credit hours: 121 semester hours
• Admission requirements: must have a 2.5 GPA and have an associate degree, and have a current NJ RN license
• Tuition: $13,000 per year
• Accreditation: accredited since 2011

9. Stockton University

Stockton University is a public college originating in 1969 with a student to faculty ratio of 17:1. Total, the school has 10 different disciplines, one being health. If you’re already an RN, you can earn your RN to BSN degree. You could also choose to earn your nursing prelicensure BSN or accelerated BSN. In terms of graduate degrees, an MSN is available. This is also one of the nursing schools in New Jersey that offers a certificate program to become a family nurse practitioner or an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. There’s a 77-percent acceptance rate with a graduation rate of 70 percent, and 93 percent of students find employment within two years after graduation.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: 86 percent
• Program length or credit hours: 62 credits
• Admission requirements: may begin when you only have two semesters left of your RN
• Tuition: $13,000 and $21,000 per year.
• Accreditation: CCNE