Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey

Updated on August 15, 2024

At a Glance

  • Rutgers University – Camden, Rutgers University – Newark, Seton Hall University, Stockton University, and Ramapo College are among the top nursing schools in New Jersey.
  • These schools offer various nursing programs, from BSN to DNP, with strong academics, research opportunities, and high job placement rates.
  • Rutgers University – Camden has an exceptional 96% first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.
  • Stockton University provides extensive clinical experience with over 1,000 required clinical hours integrated throughout its program.

New Jersey has over 25 nursing schools that offer various nursing programs, from associate degrees to doctorates. With excellent academics, affordability, and career support, these are the top 10 nursing schools in New Jersey.

Rutgers University – Camden

Location: Camden, NJ

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 60%

Tuition: $15,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $75,000

Website: nursing.camden.rutgers.edu

Rutgers University – Camden offers various BSN, MSN and DNP nursing programs. Renowned for its strong academics and research opportunities, Rutgers produces highly-qualified nurses prepared for leadership roles. Graduates have an excellent 96% first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.

Rutgers University – Newark

Location: Newark, NJ

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 58%

Tuition: $15,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: rutgers.edu

Rutgers University – Newark provides top-ranked nursing programs in a diverse urban setting. Its accelerated BSN can be completed in just 15 months. Small class sizes enable close engagement with renowned faculty members conducting cutting-edge research. Graduates regularly secure competitive jobs at major regional healthcare systems.

Seton Hall University

Location: South Orange, NJ

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 71%

Avg SAT Score: 1210

Tuition: $42,500 per year

Avg Salary: $75,000

Website: www.shu.edu

Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing is New Jersey’s oldest nursing program, providing outstanding academics centered on compassionate patient care. Renowned faculty provide personalized mentorship to help students meet their career goals. Graduates consistently secure top nursing jobs across the country.

Stockton University

Location: Galloway, NJ

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 74%

Tuition: $13,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $65,000

Website: stockton.edu

Stockton University’s Nursing Program emphasizes clinical experience and community health perspectives. Students complete over 1,000 hours in healthcare facilities across New Jersey, cementing real-world training. Graduates have high job placement rates at major regional hospitals and clinics due to Stockton’s excellent industry partnerships.

Ramapo College

Location: Mahwah, NJ

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 60%

Avg SAT Score: 1100

Tuition: $15,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: www.ramapo.edu/nursing/

Ramapo College’s Nursing School emphasizes a humanistic, holistic approach to healthcare. With rigorous academics and broad liberal arts foundation, Ramapo produces versatile nursing graduates ready to provide compassionate care and strong patient advocacy. Ramapo has partnerships with top regional healthcare employers for exceptional career support.

William Paterson University

Location: Wayne, NJ

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 58%

Tuition: $13,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $68,000

Website: www.wpunj.edu

William Paterson University’s Nursing School is recognized for both its competitive BSN program and excellence in graduate-level nursing education. With an emphasis on evidence-based practice, WPU’s nursing curriculum blends classroom theory with extensive clinical training at major hospitals and community clinics.

Kean University

Location: Union, NJ

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 49%

Tuition: $12,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary: $65,000

Website: www.kean.edu/academics/nathan-weiss-graduate-college/school-nursing

Kean University’s highly-ranked nursing school emphasizes community health perspectives critical for today’s complex healthcare environment. Graduates consistently secure top nursing jobs throughout New Jersey and beyond. Kean also operates health clinics providing students exceptional clinical experience while serving the public.

Bloomfield College

Location: Bloomfield, NJ

Rating: 6.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 64%

Tuition: $18,400 per year

Avg Salary: $62,000

Website: bloomfield.edu/academics/nursing

Bloomfield College provides versatile nursing education spanning clinical, administrative and research tracks. Renowned for diversity with a significant minority population, Bloomfield empowers underserved communities through healthcare advocacy initiatives. Competitive tuition rates coupled with small classes and renowned faculty provide a supportive learning environment.

Caldwell University

Location: Caldwell, NJ

Rating: 6/10

Acceptance Rate: 73%

Tuition: $18,500 per year

Avg Salary: $59,000

Website: www.caldwell.edu/nursing

Caldwell University’s Nursing School emphasizes the latest simulation technology for unparalleled clinical experience. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio enabling close mentorship, graduates report feeling extremely well-prepared for demanding real-world nursing roles across diverse healthcare settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best BSN programs in New Jersey?

The top BSN programs are offered at Rutgers University – Camden, Rutgers University – Newark, Seton Hall University, Stockton University, and Ramapo College. These schools provide rigorous curriculum combining nursing theory with extensive clinical training opportunities.

Which New Jersey nursing schools have the highest NCLEX pass rates?

Rutgers University – Camden has an exceptional 96% first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate. Seton Hall University, William Paterson University, Stockton University and Kean University all have strong NCLEX pass rates around 90%.

Which nursing schools in New Jersey offer online programs?

Seton Hall University, Ramapo College, William Paterson University, Kean University and Caldwell University have online RN to BSN programs. Seton Hall and Caldwell also offer online MSN degrees. These provide flexibility for working nurses.

What New Jersey nursing schools offer doctorate degrees?

Rutgers University has DNP programs at both its Newark and Camden campuses. Seton Hall University, Kean University and William Paterson all offer Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees as well.

Which nursing schools provide the most clinical experience?

Stockton University has over 1,000 required clinical hours integrated throughout its program. Bloomfield College and Caldwell University also emphasize extensive clinical experience at various regional healthcare partners.

How competitive are admissions for New Jersey nursing schools?

The Rutgers nursing programs are the most competitive, with admission rates around 60%. Seton Hall and Ramapo also have admission rates under 70%. Stockton, Kean and Caldwell have admission rates over 70%.

Which New Jersey nursing schools offer RN to MSN programs?

Rutgers, Seton Hall, Kean and William Paterson University have RN to MSN programs targeted for nurses holding ASN degrees seeking to advance into graduate study and specializations. These accelerate degree timelines.

What New Jersey nursing schools offer the most financial assistance?

Rutgers and Seton Hall offer various university-funded nursing scholarships. Stockton University has significant state funding supporting affordable in-state tuition for nursing. Bloomfield College provides competitive tuition rates coupled with financial aid.

Where do graduates from New Jersey nursing schools find jobs?

Graduates find healthcare jobs at major hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and community health organizations throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. Top employers include RWJ Barnabas Health, Atlantic Health System, Hackensack Meridian Health and Virtua Health.

How much do graduates from New Jersey nursing schools earn?

Graduates typically earn $60,000 to $75,000 annually depending on their degree, specialization, certifications obtained, and employing healthcare system. The highest salaries are earned by nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.

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Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.

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