2026 Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in New Jersey? This list ranks 149 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 111 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in New Jersey
Explore the leading schools below:
Ramapo College Of New Jersey tops our 2026 ranking of the best Nursing degree schools in New Jersey. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Mahwah, NJ. Ramapo College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Ramapo College Of New Jersey report
Request InformationThe strong Nursing programs at Rider University earned it the #2 place in New Jersey. Located in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rider University posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,241. Read more about Rider University
Request InformationA rank of #3 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the top choices in New Jersey. Set in Camden, NJ, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Rutgers University Camden Nursing students take on a median of $24,577 in debt. Get the full Rutgers University Camden report
Request InformationOut of the 111 schools in New Jersey in this year's ranking, The College Of New Jersey landed the #4 spot. Based in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $24,429. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Request InformationOut of the 111 schools in New Jersey in this year's ranking, Eastwick College Hackensack landed the #5 spot. Located in Hackensack, NJ, Eastwick College Hackensack is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,075. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,758. Read more about Eastwick College Hackensack
Request InformationCollege Of Saint Elizabeth did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Morristown, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,496. More on College Of Saint Elizabeth
Request InformationCounty College Of Morris did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Randolph, NJ, County College Of Morris is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about County College Of Morris
Request InformationUnion County College did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Cranford, NJ. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Students borrow a median of $14,218 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Union County College
Request InformationRutgers University New Brunswick landed the #9 spot in New Jersey this year. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,120. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
Request InformationKean University placed #10 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. Based in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. Kean University graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Read the full report on Kean University
Request InformationMonmouth University placed #11 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. Based in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Monmouth University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Monmouth University Nursing students take on a median of $26,847 in debt. Read the full report on Monmouth University
Request InformationRowan University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Rowan University is a public school based in Glassboro, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. More on Rowan University
Request InformationFelician College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Lodi, NJ, Felician College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,300. Felician College Nursing students take on a median of $28,500 in debt. Read the full report on Felician College
Request InformationOcean County College landed the #14 spot in New Jersey this year. Located in Toms River, NJ, Ocean County College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Ocean County College profile
Request InformationNew Jersey City University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. New Jersey City University posts a six-year graduation rate of 34%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about New Jersey City University
Request InformationRaritan Valley Community College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Raritan Valley Community College is a public school based in Branchburg, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Raritan Valley Community College
Request InformationWilliam Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Wayne, NJ, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. The median Nursing program debt is $25,644. See the full William Paterson University Of New Jersey profile
Request InformationFairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,010. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus Nursing students take on a median of $24,770 in debt. See the full Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus profile
Request InformationSeton Hall University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. More on Seton Hall University
Request InformationFairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #20 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. This private not-for-profit school is set in Madison, NJ. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham Nursing students take on a median of $24,701 in debt. Read the full report on Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
Request InformationThe Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #21 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. This public school is set in Galloway, NJ. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey Nursing students take on a median of $24,990 in debt. Get the full The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey report
Request InformationRutgers University Newark ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. Rutgers University Newark posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. The median Nursing program debt is $25,065. Read more about Rutgers University Newark
Request InformationSaint Peters College landed the #23 spot in New Jersey this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jersey City, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Saint Peters College
Request InformationBrookdale Community College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,651. Get the full Brookdale Community College report
Request InformationGeorgian Court University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Lakewood, NJ, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,752. See the full Georgian Court University profile
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Degree Schools in New Jersey
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Hudson County Community College landed the #26 spot in New Jersey this year. Set in Jersey City, NJ, Hudson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $10,671 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Hudson County Community College report
Request InformationBergen Community College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Paramus, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Students borrow a median of $17,720 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Bergen Community College
Request InformationCaldwell College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Caldwell, NJ. Caldwell College posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Caldwell College profile
Request InformationThomas Edison State College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Trenton, NJ, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,856. The median Nursing program debt is $16,149. Read the full report on Thomas Edison State College
Request InformationMontclair State University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Montclair State University is a public school based in Montclair, NJ. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Montclair State University
Request InformationSalem Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Salem Community College is a public school based in Carneys Point, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,360, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. The median Nursing program debt is $17,232. Read the full report on Salem Community College
Request InformationGloucester County College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Set in Sewell, NJ, Gloucester County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,236. Read more about Gloucester County College
Request InformationMiddlesex County College placed #33 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. Based in Edison, NJ, Middlesex County College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. The median Nursing program debt is $9,514. More on Middlesex County College
Request InformationEssex County College placed #34 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. Based in Newark, NJ, Essex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Essex County College Nursing students take on a median of $12,472 in debt. More on Essex County College
Request InformationBerkeley College Woodland Park placed #35 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. Located in Woodland Park, NJ, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $27,068 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Berkeley College Woodland Park
Request InformationBurlington County College did well this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in Mount Laurel, NJ. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. More on Burlington County College
Request InformationPassaic County Community College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Paterson, NJ, Passaic County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. The median Nursing program debt is $9,581. See the full Passaic County Community College profile
Request InformationBloomfield College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Bloomfield, NJ. Bloomfield College posts a six-year graduation rate of 38%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. The median Nursing program debt is $29,635. Read the full report on Bloomfield College
Request InformationCamden County College landed the #39 spot in New Jersey this year. This public school is set in Blackwood, NJ. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Camden County College Nursing students take on a median of $12,999 in debt. See the full Camden County College profile
Request InformationAtlantic Cape Community College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Mays Landing, NJ, Atlantic Cape Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Atlantic Cape Community College
Request InformationHoly Name Medical Center School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing
Request InformationLincoln Technical Institute Mahwah came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah
Request InformationInnovate Salon Academy Brick Township Nj placed #43 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. See the full Innovate Salon Academy Brick Township Nj profile
Request InformationAmerican Institute Of Medical Sciences And Education ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full American Institute Of Medical Sciences And Education report
Request InformationAmerican Institute Toms River did well this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full American Institute Toms River report
Request InformationBais Medrash Toras Chesed placed #46 among Nursing schools in New Jersey. See the full Bais Medrash Toras Chesed profile
Request InformationRizzieri Institute did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Rizzieri Institute
Request InformationYeshiva Yesodei Hatorah did well this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah report
Request InformationMedical Career Institute ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Medical Career Institute
Request InformationLincoln Technical Institute Union did well this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Union report
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 111 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 149 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).