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Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

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2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

15 Schools Ranked
$7,349 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$14,340 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Our analysis looked at 15 schools in New Jersey to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Union County College

Cranford, New Jersey
1,519 Total Awards
$11,937 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Union County College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in New Jersey. Located in Cranford, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,519 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $11,937 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Union County College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Union County College Report

#2

County College of Morris

Randolph, New Jersey
1,107 Total Awards
$10,260 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,222 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 15 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, County College of Morris landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Randolph, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,107 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at County College of Morris is $10,260. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,040. Associate Degree recipients from County College of Morris accumulate an average of $10,222 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since County College of Morris does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on County College of Morris

#3

Ocean County College

Toms River, New Jersey
1,444 Total Awards
$12,842 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 15 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, Ocean County College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Toms River, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,444 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,842 in student loans.

OCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Ocean County College Report

#4

Raritan Valley Community College

Branchburg, New Jersey
1,068 Total Awards
$7,296 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,194 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Raritan Valley Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Branchburg, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,068 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,296 to cover tuition and fees at RVCC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,194 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at RVCC. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Raritan Valley Community College Report

#5

Brookdale Community College

Lincroft, New Jersey
1,611 Total Awards
$8,948 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,160 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Brookdale Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in New Jersey. Lincroft, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,611 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Brookdale Community College is $8,948. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,698. Associate Degree recipients from Brookdale Community College accumulate an average of $13,160 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Brookdale Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 32% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Brookdale Community College

#6

Hudson County Community College

Jersey City, New Jersey
1,186 Total Awards
$8,390 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,945 Avg Student Debt

Hudson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Hudson County Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Jersey City, New Jersey that handed out 1,186 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $8,390 in tuition and fees if they attend HCCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,798. On average, associate degree students take out $10,945 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since HCCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Hudson County Community College Report

#7

Bergen Community College

Paramus, New Jersey
2,011 Total Awards
$8,438 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,518 Avg Student Debt

Bergen Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Bergen Community College is a fairly large public school located in Paramus, New Jersey that handed out 2,011 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from New Jersey pay an average of $8,438 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bergen Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,822. On average, associate degree students take out $14,518 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Bergen Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#8

Essex County College

Newark, New Jersey
1,102 Total Awards
$9,141 Average Tuition & Fees

Essex County College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Essex is a medium-sized public school situated in Newark, New Jersey. It awarded 1,102 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Essex, expect to pay an average of $9,141 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Essex. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Essex County College Report

#9

Salem Community College

Carneys Point, New Jersey
212 Total Awards
$12,695 Avg Student Debt

Salem Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Carneys Point, New Jersey, the small public school handed out 212 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,695 in student loans.

Salem County College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

1,016 Total Awards
$5,640 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,420 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Sewell, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,016 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

RCSJ does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,640. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from RCSJ accumulate an average of $13,420 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at RCSJ, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus

#11

Middlesex County College

Edison, New Jersey
1,616 Total Awards
$6,876 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,350 Avg Student Debt

Middlesex County College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Edison, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,616 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,876 to cover tuition and fees at Middlesex County College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Middlesex County College accumulate an average of $9,350 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Middlesex County College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Middlesex County College

#12

Rowan College at Burlington County

Mount Laurel, New Jersey
1,619 Total Awards
$5,268 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,402 Avg Student Debt

Rowan College at Burlington County came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. RCBC is a medium-sized public school situated in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. It awarded 1,619 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at RCBC is $5,268. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,828. On average, associate degree students take out $12,402 in loans while pursuing their degree.

RCBC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Rowan College at Burlington County

#13

Passaic County Community College

Paterson, New Jersey
554 Total Awards
$7,350 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,578 Avg Student Debt

Passaic County Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Paterson, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 554 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at PCCC is $7,350. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,390. On average, associate degree students take out $10,578 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at PCCC. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Passaic County Community College

#14

Camden County College

Blackwood, New Jersey
1,132 Total Awards
$3,744 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,672 Avg Student Debt

Camden County College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Camden County College is a medium-sized public school located in Blackwood, New Jersey that handed out 1,132 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Camden County College is $3,744. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,672 in student loans.

Camden County College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#15

Atlantic Cape Community College

Mays Landing, New Jersey
808 Total Awards
$6,840 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,591 Avg Student Debt

Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Atlantic Cape Community College is a public institution located in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The school has a small population, and it awarded 808 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from New Jersey who attend Atlantic Cape Community College full time pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,340. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,591 in student loans.

Atlantic Cape Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Atlantic Cape Community College

Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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