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Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

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2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

15 Schools Ranked
$8,452 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$15,923 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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value 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 value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Camden County College

Blackwood, New Jersey
93 Total Awards
$3,744 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Camden County College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in New Jersey. Blackwood, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

Camden County College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,744 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,871 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

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. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Camden County College Report

#2

Ocean County College

Toms River, New Jersey
150 Total Awards
$8,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 15 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s value ranking, Ocean County College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Toms River, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 150 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OCC are $8,100 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,414 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at OCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, OCC is ranked #3 for overall quality in New Jersey.

Full Ocean County College Report

74 Total Awards
$5,550 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 15 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s value ranking, Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Sewell, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at RCSJ are $5,550 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,568 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since RCSJ does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus Report

#4

Rowan College at Burlington County

Mount Laurel, New Jersey
119 Total Awards
$6,901 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rowan College at Burlington County. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. This medium-sized public school is located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and it awarded 119 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

RCBC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,901 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,122 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that RCBC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Rowan College at Burlington County

#5

Raritan Valley Community College

Branchburg, New Jersey
106 Total Awards
$6,912 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 15 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s value ranking, Raritan Valley Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. RVCC is located in Branchburg, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 associate degrees to qualified students.

RVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,912 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,255 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at RVCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

RVCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.

Full Raritan Valley Community College Report

#6

Salem Community College

Carneys Point, New Jersey
28 Total Awards
$9,060 Average Tuition & Fees

Salem Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Salem Community College is a very small public school located in Carneys Point, New Jersey that handed out 28 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Salem County College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,060 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,461 in student loans.

Salem County College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#7

County College of Morris

Randolph, New Jersey
111 Total Awards
$13,620 Average Tuition & Fees

County College of Morris came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Randolph, New Jersey, and it awarded 111 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at County College of Morris are $13,620 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,920 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at County College of Morris. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

County College of Morris not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.

Read full report on County College of Morris

#8

Union County College

Cranford, New Jersey
333 Total Awards
$10,562 Average Tuition & Fees

Union County College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Cranford, New Jersey, and it awarded 333 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Union County College are $10,562 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,511 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Union County College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Union County College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.

Read More…

#9

Hudson County Community College

Jersey City, New Jersey
92 Total Awards
$11,798 Average Tuition & Fees

Hudson County Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 92 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at HCCC are $11,798 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,191 in student loans.

HCCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 2% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Hudson County Community College Report

#10

Bergen Community College

Paramus, New Jersey
121 Total Awards
$8,659 Average Tuition & Fees

Bergen Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Paramus, New Jersey, and it awarded 121 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bergen Community College are $8,659 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,236 in student loans.

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. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Bergen Community College

#11

Brookdale Community College

Lincroft, New Jersey
140 Total Awards
$9,554 Average Tuition & Fees

Brookdale Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Brookdale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lincroft, New Jersey. It awarded 140 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Brookdale Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,554 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,007 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Brookdale Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Brookdale Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey list.

Read full report on Brookdale Community College

#12

Middlesex County College

Edison, New Jersey
70 Total Awards
$7,992 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Middlesex County College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Edison, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Middlesex County College are $7,992 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,313 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 Middlesex County College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Middlesex County College

#13

Passaic County Community College

Paterson, New Jersey
54 Total Awards
$9,390 Average Tuition & Fees

Passaic County Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Paterson, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 54 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

PCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,390 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,211 in student loans.

Online courses are available at PCCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 26% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#14

Essex County College

Newark, New Jersey
23 Total Awards
$8,966 Average Tuition & Fees

Essex County College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Newark, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Essex are $8,966 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,116 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Essex. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 28% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#15

Atlantic Cape Community College

Mays Landing, New Jersey
1 Total Awards
$8,340 Average Tuition & Fees

Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Atlantic Cape Community College is located in Mays Landing, New Jersey and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 associate degrees to qualified students.

Atlantic Cape Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,340 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,077 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Atlantic Cape Community College. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Atlantic Cape Community College Report

Best Value 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

  • 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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