21+ Top Nursing Schools in New Jersey To Get Into 2022-2023

Nursing Schools in New Jersey: A good nursing school makes a professional nurse, here is the list of RN nursing schools and colleges with programs that are accredited and some with the cheapest tuition in NJ.

New Jersey has a population of aging adults as well as people with chronic illnesses that are straining New Jersey’s health care system.

For want of words, New Jersey’s need for nurses is at its breaking point because aside from the above, most practicing nurses are close to retirement. 

Though alarming, it’s safe to say that wanting to venture into a career in nursing is a noble task. And choosing New Jersey means that you have a high chance of getting a job upon graduation.

The school where you earn your nursing degree plays a vital role in determining your future career as a nurse. 

Therefore, we have come up with this piece on the Nursing Colleges in New Jersey with accredited programs that are a good shot for aspiring nurses.

New Jersey has a total of 38 nursing schools accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

15 of these schools are CCNE accredited while 26 are ACEN accredited.

In this guide, you will also find relevant information that will help you in your nursing application and school hunt. 

However, if you can explore other states in the US you can consider the Best Nursing Schools in California or the Best Nursing Schools in New York.

One of the many reasons you will never go wrong with New Jersey is that there is an availability of jobs for New Jersey nurse graduates.

But first, let’s help you make a choice of nursing school that will take you on that path.

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Overview of Nursing Schools in New Jersey

New Jersey as a state has 38 nursing schools that are accredited by the official board of nursing in the USA: the CCNE which accredited 15 schools and ACEN which accredited 26 schools.

Nursing Colleges in New Jersey have a well-crafted curriculum that makes most of its schools enlist in the list of best nursing schools in the world.

On average, the NCLEX passing rate range for New Jersey BSN students is between 73.96% and 93.70%, and for ADN students is between 34.05% and 98.37%.

Although there are few cheapest nursing schools in NJ, you can find one that accommodates your budget. 

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can get certification in more than 100 nursing specialties. Also, they can go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

On the other hand, BSN graduates can go on to earn an Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) degree, become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree in nursing leadership roles such as Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

However, the not-so-good news about nursing schools in New Jersey is that they are yet to implement the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

With the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, nurses are allowed to work across states with a single license. 

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What Is The Job Outlook For Nurses in New Jersey?

Because of the aging population of New Jersey residents, an increase in residents with chronic illnesses and the continuous retirement of the nursing staff, the staffing of nurses in New Jersey has never been more needed.

Currently, there are about 78,590 nurses working across different healthcare facilities in New Jersey but somehow this is no longer enough.

For want of words, New Jersey’s health system is in need of nurses more than ever. 40,000 nurses are expected to join the workforce in 2022 to meet its health care needs.

Registered Nurses (RN) in New Jersey expect job growth of 11.3% from 2018 to 2028. What this means is that 5,780 new RNs are needed yearly in New Jersey.

And the need for NPs is projected to rise to 8,010 by 2028.

What Are The Important Considerations When Making A Choice of Nursing School in New Jersey?

• Tuition cost.
• NCLEX pass rate.
• The school’s accreditation (regional and national)
• The acceptance rate to the university and that of the nursing program.

How Do I Start A Career in Nursing in New Jersey?

To become a nurse in New Jersey, all you have to do is to earn a degree, then take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse (RN).

Follow these steps to become a registered nurse in New Jersey;

• Follow our guide to get a shortlist of the best nursing schools.
• Contact an Admission Representative at each school. .
• Check your eligibility to enter the school’s nursing program. 
• Gather all the paperwork for the application. 
• Apply according to the process started by each school. 
• Await their responses.

How Much Does It Cost To Study In Nursing Schools in New Jersey?

On average, an RN program in New Jersey costs between $2,933.00 and $28,884.00 per year.

However, undergraduate nursing programs in nursing Colleges in New Jersey cost between $4,725.00 and $14,000.00 per year.

How Long Does It Take To Complete A Nursing Program In New Jersey?

Depending on the nursing program you are offering and the school in New Jersey, the duration of study for a nursing program differs.

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes about 18 to 24 months to complete while a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete in New Jersey.

How Much Do Nurses Make in New Jersey?

The salary structure of nurses in New Jersey is not specific because many factors contribute to it such as location in New Jersey, level of experience, and certificate.

On the average registered nurses in New Jersey earn between $65,070 to $110,510 a year. 

Nurse Practitioners earn between $107,600-and $177,010 once they have an experience of more than 20 years. 

New Jersey has an impressive range of both public and private nursing schools including some famous names. Here is our selection of New Jersey’s top 10 nursing schools.

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21+ Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey To Get Into.

New Jersey is home to some of the best colleges and universities in the USA. Also, these colleges are known to have some of the best programs in New Jersey.

However, keep in mind that some of the schools for nursing in NJ are quite expensive but we have captured some of the cheapest colleges to help your finances.

In that regard, here are the good nursing schools in NJ;

#1. Seton Hall University College of Nursing.

• Founded: 1937
• School Status: Private
• Acceptance Rate: 78%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.32%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master’s NP Certificate.
• Available Financial Aid: Five institutional scholarships.
• Location: 400 W S Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079, United States. 

Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing is one of the accredited nursing schools in New Jersey. 

As one of the top-rated colleges of nursing as reported by the U.S. News & World Report, SHU’s most recognized program is the nursing baccalaureate degree. 

Nursing students share many learning experiences with physicians in a state-of-the-art simulation lab. These labs have virtual hospital suites, operating rooms, and mannequins designed to behave like humans so that students can learn patient care in a safe environment. 

#2. School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at the College of New Jersey.

• Founded: 1855
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: 51%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.51%
• Nursing Programs: Bachelor, MSN, Post Master’s NP Certificate, RN to MSN.
• Available Financial Aid: merit and awards scholarship. 
• Location: 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, United States. 

The College of New Jersey’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science is tailored to suit aspiring nurses who think nursing should be more about promoting wellness than disease prevention.

The College of New Jersey’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science is a center for Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN).

Learning in this college will mean studying in simulation laboratories with settings as clinics, emergency rooms, and hospitals. 

#3. Rutgers University School of Nursing Newark.

• Founded: 1766
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: 58%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.63%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, BSN to DNP, BSN to Ph.D., MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master’s NP Certificate.
• Available Financial Aid: Yearly Scholarships 
• Location: 180 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102, United States. 

Rutgers University School of Nursing is one of the colleges or schools in New Jersey with accredited outstanding programs. 

Studying nursing at Rutgers University School of Nursing is interesting because of the college’s interest in cutting-edge research. 

Also, students get to study in the Center for Clinical Learning: a high-tech simulation environment with high-fidelity mannequins to aid them to develop clinical skills. 

#4. Adler Center for Nursing Excellence, Ramapo College.

• Founded: 1969
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: 67%
• Available Financial Aid: Russell Berrie Nursing Scholarship and other Institutional scholarships. 
• Location: 505 Ramapo Valley Rd, Mahwah, NJ 07430, United States. 

In the list of RN nursing schools in New Jersey, Ramapo Colleges school of nursing enlists some of the best-accredited programs for all academic levels.

Adler Center for Nursing Excellence is considered excellent for nursing programs because it gives its students more. In addition to classroom education, the students study in the Anatomy and Physiology lab, computer labs, and simulation environments to sharpen their skills.

This invariably puts the nurses who graduate from Adler Center for Nursing Excellence in a strong position to get a job.

#5. Henry P. Becton School of Nursing and Allied Health, Fairleigh Dickinson University. 

• Founded: 1939
• School Status: Private
• Acceptance Rate: 64%
• NCLEX Rate:  96.91%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master’s NP Certificate, RN to MSN.
• Available Financial Aid: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Marvin and Alice Perry, and the Henry P. Becton Scholarships 
• Location: 3500 Victoria St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States. 

Henry P. Becton School of Nursing & Allied Health has one of the best RN nursing schools in New Jersey. 

Although it is not one of the cheapest nursing schools in NJ, it’s mostly applied because the graduates from this school have received high marks from NurseJournal.com.

Also, this school maintains an educational partnership with nursing programs at the University of Nigeria and some other universities in New Jersey.

Also, students sharpen their clinical skills in high-tech virtual hospital environments and human programmed mannequins.

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#6. Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden.

• Founded: 1929
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: 76%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.61%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP.
• Available Financial Aid: Scholarships 
• Location: 530 Federal St, Camden, NJ 08102, United States. 

Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden is open to students who want to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

Aside from the fact that Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden is not one of the cheapest nursing schools in NJ, its curriculum is very demanding.

Because Camden and surrounding communities are short of nurses, graduates from Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden easily get a job.

Student nurses will get to work with the school’s clinical partners for hands-on practicums.

#7. School of Health Sciences, Stockton University.

• Founded: 1971
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: 77%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.00%
• Nursing Programs: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, Master, Post Master’s NP Certificate and RN to BSN
• Available Financial Aid: Institutional Scholarships 
• Location: 101 Vera King Farris Dr, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States. 

School of Health Sciences at Stockton University is the 9th public regional university as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Students who study at School of Health Sciences, Stockton University teaches aspiring nurses critical thinking skills needed to function as patient advocates in the world of health care delivery.

It’s one of the nursing schools in New Jersey that teaches nursing students in simulation centers where computerized mannequins are used as models to earn clinical and professional skills. 

#8. Felician University School of Nursing, Lodi

• Founded: 1942
• School Status: Private
• Acceptance Rate: Not Specified
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.00%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN and Bachelor. 
• Available Financial Aid: Ridgewood Registered Professional Nurses Scholarship and the Switzer Foundation Scholarship for Professional Nursing Students.
• Location: 262 S Main St, Lodi, NJ 07644, United States. 

Felician University School of Nursing prepares student nurses to become change agents in the healthcare industry.

One of the reasons Felician University School of Nursing should be in your list of best nursing schools in New Jersey for consideration is that it has ten nursing tracks.

Therefore, you’re likely to find a nursing program that suits your educational needs. Also, students learn with high-fidelity, computerized mannequins in the Simulation Center. 

Beyond the BSN programs, Felician University School of Nursing is also one of the accredited RN nursing schools or colleges in New Jersey.

#9. Department of Nursing William Paterson University.

• Founded: 1855
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: 81%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.57%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master’s NP Certificate, RN to MSN.
• Available Financial Aid: Pell Grant 
• Location: 300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470, United States. 

The Department of Nursing at William Paterson University has many nursing programs for international and local student nurses.

At William Paterson University’s department of nursing, students can only apply for a diploma and baccalaureate program. 

The availability of many patient simulation rooms and skills labs affords the students time and space to learn the basic techniques of the profession.

#10. New Jersey City University, Jersey City

• Founded: 1927
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: 96%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.05%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, MSN, Post Master’s NP Certificate.
• Available Financial Aid: New Jersey City University Foundation Scholarships 
• Location: 2039 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305, United States. 

The NJCU Nursing Department offers accelerated BSN baccalaureate degrees as well as R.N. to B.S.N programs.

This is one of the nursing colleges in New Jersey that teaches nursing as both art and science. This is the reason why NJCU Nursing Department programs are among its most popular offerings. 

Also, students have access to simulation labs where they practice the fundamentals of bedside care in virtual environments.

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#11. Caldwell University School of Nursing

• Founded: 1939
• School Status: Private
• Acceptance Rate: 92%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.08%
• Nursing Programs: BSN, RN to BSN.
• Available Financial Aid: Scholarships 
• Location: 120 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006, United States. 

You should not consider Caldwell University as one of the cheapest nursing schools in NJ, however, it can suffice as one of the best RN nursing schools in New Jersey.

In the list of accredited nursing schools in New Jersey, you can earn a BSN from Caldwell, just by having 25 credits of nursing prerequisites. 

#12. Montclair State University

• Founded: 1908
• School Status: Private
• Acceptance Rate: 83%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: Not Specified
• Nursing Programs: 4-year BSN, Pre-licensure MSN, Master Of Science In Nursing, and Online RN To BSN.
• Available Financial Aid: Scholarships 
• Location: 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043, United States. 

Montclair State University is one of the cheapest nursing schools in NJ that has many accredited programs when compared to other colleges in New Jersey.

Its college tuition costs about $11,132 which is considered really cheap for a nursing school. 

Also, Montclair State offers an 18-month Master’s Direct Entry to a Nursing accelerated program for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. 

#13. School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University

• Founded: 1939
• School Status: Private
• Acceptance Rate: 64%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.74%
• Nursing Programs: DNP, traditional four-year BSN  post-graduate APRN certificate programs, and an RN to BSN program. 
• Available Financial Aid: Scholarships 
• Location: 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ 07764, United States. 

With an annual tuition of $38,880, the average aspiring nurse does not consider the School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University as one of the cheapest nursing schools in NJ.

However many apply to Monmouth University because it has many nursing tracks.  We often recommend this college for students looking for a graduate degree or DNP in nursing. 

#14. Saint Peter’s University’s School of Nursing.

• Founded: 1872
• School Status: Private
• Acceptance Rate: 85%
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
• Nursing Programs: traditional BSN, an RN to BSN, and an online RN to BSN program.
• Available Financial Aid: Scholarships 
• Location: 2641 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07306, United States. 

Next on our list of best nursing schools and colleges with accredited programs in New Jersey is Saint Peter’s University’s School of Nursing. 

Its RN program attracts the attraction of local and international students making it one of the best RN nursing schools in New jersey.

Although it is not one of the cheapest nursing schools in NJ, its 100% NCLEX Pass Rate makes it worth every dime.

#15. Thomas Edison State University

• Founded: 1972
• School Status: Public
• Acceptance Rate: Not Specified
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
• Nursing Programs: Accelerated BSN program and an RN to BSN program.
• Available Financial Aid: Scholarships 
• Location: 111 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608, United States. 

The affordable tuition and the NCLEX Pass Rate at Thomas Edison State University school of the nursing make it a huge attraction.

Although a relatively young institution that has its academic prowess inscribed in the good records of New Jersey nursing colleges through its exceptional programs.

Another great news about this institution is the availability of online nursing programs.

Other Good Nursing Schools in New Jersey With Accredited Programs.

• Bloomfield College.
• Essex County College.
• Ocean County College.
• County College of Morris.
• Raritan Valley Community College.
• Passaic County Community College.
• Mercer County Community College.
• Rowan College at Gloucester County.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Schools in New Jersey

What Determines the Nursing School Tuition in New Jersey?

Tuition cost depends on the school of nursing you’re applying to in New Jersey. 

Also, the cost of yearly tuition rates will vary for each individual student depending on the following,

• Transfer credits.
• Financial aid awards.
• Completed competency exams.
• Amount of credits taken per year.

We do recommend that you check with your school of interest for current tuition rates.

What Kind of Nursing Programs Are Offered in New Jersey?

Most nursing schools in NJ offer programs such as;

• BSN Programs
• MSN Programs
• ADN Programs 
• LPN to RN Programs
• Accelerated Nursing Programs

Once you’ve made a choice of institution, visit the school’s website for details of their program and duration of the study.

How Do I Get a Nursing License in New Jersey?

To get a nursing license to practice as an RN in New Jersey, you need to:

• Take and pass the NCLEX
• Complete a criminal background check
• Complete the New Jersey Board of Nursing application 
• Also, complete Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training. 

For license and endorsement you need to provide the following documents;

• Verification of Licensure
• Criminal History Records Check
• Official transcripts sent directly to the Board via the school

Nursing schools and colleges in New Jersey have a lot of accredited programs which include RN, BSN, and MSN degree options in New Jersey.

Although you may not find many of the cheapest nursing schools in NJ, you’re sure to get one you can afford.

If you ever consider doing Medicine, check out What Is A Good MCAT Score? |See The Breakdown On How to Get It and Medical Schools That Don’t Require MCAT| Complete Guide 2022.

Also, enrolling in any of the Easiest Nursing Schools to Get Into In 2022 | Complete Guide will need you to secure some of the Nursing Scholarships for International Students,

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References

• Top 38 Nursing Schools in New Jersey 
• Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey
• Nursing Schools in New Jersey – 2022 Rankings

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