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2023 Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey

40 Schools Ranked
$43,636 Average Earnings
$21,003 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 40 schools in New Jersey to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in New Jersey

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, New Jersey
$42,404 Average Earnings
$22,964 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Ramapo College of New Jersey the best school in New Jersey for nursing students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,964 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $376, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Ramapo College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,404 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Ramapo College of New Jersey

#2

Rider University

Lawrenceville, New Jersey
$43,094 Average Earnings
$25,127 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rider University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey list.

On average, students take out $25,127 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $521, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rider, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,094 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Rider University

#3

Rutgers University - Camden

Camden, New Jersey
$47,992 Average Earnings
$24,092 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Rutgers University - Camden is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from Rutgers Camden accumulate an average of $24,092 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $249, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rutgers Camden graduates make an average of $47,992 annually.

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#4

The College of New Jersey

Ewing, New Jersey
$48,225 Average Earnings
$22,132 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The College of New Jersey. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,132 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $327. Once they receive their degree, TCNJ graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,225 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on The College of New Jersey

#5

Eastwick College - Hackensack

Hackensack, New Jersey
$31,686 Average Earnings
$19,378 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Eastwick College - Hackensack is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from Eastwick College - Hackensack accumulate an average of $19,378 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $68, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Eastwick College - Hackensack graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,686 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Eastwick College - Hackensack

#6

College of Saint Elizabeth

Morristown, New Jersey
$51,086 Average Earnings
$25,965 Avg Student Debt

College of Saint Elizabeth ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,965 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CSE graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,086 during the early year of their career.

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#7

County College of Morris

Randolph, New Jersey
$36,453 Average Earnings
$10,920 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, County College of Morris did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,920 in student loans.After graduating from County College of Morris, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,453 during the early years of their career.

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#8

Union County College

Cranford, New Jersey
$40,152 Average Earnings
$16,094 Avg Student Debt

Union County College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey list.

Degree recipients from Union County College accumulate an average of $16,094 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Union County College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,152 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
$51,056 Average Earnings
$24,135 Avg Student Debt

Rutgers University - New Brunswick landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $24,135 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $259, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rutgers New Brunswick, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,056 during the early years of their career.

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#10

Kean University

Union, New Jersey
$45,194 Average Earnings
$27,358 Avg Student Debt

Kean University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $27,358 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $236. During the early years of their career, Kean graduates make an average of $45,194 annually.

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#11

Monmouth University

West Long Branch, New Jersey
$46,267 Average Earnings
$24,982 Avg Student Debt

Monmouth University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey ranking.

On average, students take out $24,982 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $665, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Monmouth, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,267 during the early years of their career.

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#12

Rowan University

Glassboro, New Jersey
$45,169 Average Earnings
$23,830 Avg Student Debt

Rowan University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey ranking.

Degree recipients from Rowan accumulate an average of $23,830 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $279, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rowan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,169 during the early years of their career.

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#13

Felician University

Lodi, New Jersey
$46,928 Average Earnings
$30,415 Avg Student Debt

Felician University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $30,415 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $349. During the early years of their career, Felician graduates make an average of $46,928 annually.

Full Felician University Report

#14

Ocean County College

Toms River, New Jersey
$37,831 Average Earnings
$15,414 Avg Student Debt

Ocean County College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,414 in student loans.After graduating from OCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,831 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Ocean County College

#15

New Jersey City University

Jersey City, New Jersey
$44,871 Average Earnings
$23,694 Avg Student Debt

New Jersey City University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from NJCU accumulate an average of $23,694 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NJCU graduates make an average of $44,871 annually.

Full New Jersey City University Report

#16

Raritan Valley Community College

Branchburg, New Jersey
$51,366 Average Earnings
$14,287 Avg Student Debt

Raritan Valley Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $14,287 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from RVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,366 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Raritan Valley Community College

$43,120 Average Earnings
$26,059 Avg Student Debt

William Paterson University of New Jersey ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey list.

On average, students take out $26,059 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $188 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, William Paterson University graduates make an average of $43,120 annually.

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$48,330 Average Earnings
$23,191 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from FDU accumulate an average of $23,191 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $305 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, FDU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,330 during the early year of their career.

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#19

Seton Hall University

South Orange, New Jersey
$54,624 Average Earnings
$22,193 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Seton Hall University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from Seton Hall accumulate an average of $22,193 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $521, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Seton Hall, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,624 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Seton Hall University

$45,576 Average Earnings
$24,219 Avg Student Debt

Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,219 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $315 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FDU graduates make an average of $45,576 annually.

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#21

Stockton University

Galloway, New Jersey
$39,517 Average Earnings
$24,498 Avg Student Debt

Stockton University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,498 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $265, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Stockton State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,517 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Stockton University

#22

Rutgers University - Newark

Newark, New Jersey
$45,097 Average Earnings
$24,382 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Rutgers University - Newark did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $24,382 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $262, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rutgers Newark graduates make an average of $45,097 annually.

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#23

Saint Peter's University

Jersey City, New Jersey
$45,418 Average Earnings
$24,996 Avg Student Debt

Saint Peter’s University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,996 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $202, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Saint Peter’s College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,418 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Saint Peter’s University

#24

Brookdale Community College

Lincroft, New Jersey
$40,016 Average Earnings
$15,009 Avg Student Debt

Brookdale Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey list.

Degree recipients from Brookdale Community College accumulate an average of $15,009 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Brookdale Community College graduates make an average of $40,016 annually.

Full Brookdale Community College Report

#25

Georgian Court University

Lakewood, New Jersey
$42,664 Average Earnings
$25,594 Avg Student Debt

Georgian Court University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,594 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $194, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Georgian Court graduates make an average of $42,664 annually.

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Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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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