2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in New Jersey
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in New Jersey? This list ranks 149 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 40 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in New Jersey
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Camden County College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in New Jersey. 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. Camden County College alumni report median earnings of $41,212 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Camden County College profile
Out of the 40 schools in New Jersey in this year's value ranking, Ocean County College landed the #2 spot. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Ocean County College profile
Out of the 40 schools in New Jersey in this year's value ranking, Gloucester County College landed the #3 spot. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,751 ten years after entry. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Gloucester County College
Out of the 40 schools in New Jersey in this year's value ranking, Burlington County College landed the #4 spot. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,745 ten years after entry. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Burlington County College
You'll get strong value at Raritan Valley Community College, which ranked #5 this year. 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. Median earnings reach $48,145 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt. More on Raritan Valley Community College
Salem Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,020. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt. Read the full report on Salem Community College
County College Of Morris landed the #7 spot for value in New Jersey this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,243. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about County College Of Morris
Thomas Edison State College placed #8 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,331. That is a strong return on a $16,149 median debt. Read the full report on Thomas Edison State College
Union County College landed the #9 spot for value in New Jersey this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Union County College
Hudson County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,333. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Hudson County Community College report
Bergen Community College landed the #11 spot for value in New Jersey this year. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,624. Set against $17,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Bergen Community College
Brookdale Community College came in at #12 in this year's value 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,379 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt. Get the full Brookdale Community College report
Middlesex County College placed #13 among the best-value 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. Median earnings reach $46,861 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Middlesex County College
Passaic County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,972. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt. See the full Passaic County Community College profile
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Mahwah, NJ. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Ramapo College Of New Jersey report
Rutgers University Camden landed the #16 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Set in Camden, NJ, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants. Get the full Rutgers University Camden report
Essex County College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. 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. Essex County College alumni report median earnings of $37,230 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Essex County College
Kean University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Based in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $57,237 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants. Read the full report on Kean University
The College Of New Jersey offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,323. That is a strong return on a $24,429 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Atlantic Cape Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,241. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt. Read the full report on Atlantic Cape Community College
Eastwick College Hackensack landed the #21 spot for value in New Jersey this year. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Eastwick College Hackensack
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #22 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. Located in Wayne, NJ, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,780. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. See the full William Paterson University Of New Jersey profile
Rowan University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Rowan University is a public school based in Glassboro, NJ. 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. Median earnings reach $59,988 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. More on Rowan University
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #24 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. Located in Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,273 ten years after entry. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus profile
New Jersey City University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,745 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%. Read more about New Jersey City University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in New Jersey
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,479 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Galloway, NJ. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Get the full The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey report
Montclair State University placed #28 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. Montclair State University is a public school based in Montclair, NJ. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,415. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Montclair State University
Rutgers University Newark came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. 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. Rutgers University Newark alumni report median earnings of $74,479 a decade after entry. Set against $25,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants. Read more about Rutgers University Newark
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #30 spot for value in New Jersey this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Madison, NJ. 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. Median earnings reach $57,273 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
College Of Saint Elizabeth placed #31 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. This private not-for-profit school is set in Morristown, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,496. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,038 ten years after entry. Set against $25,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. More on College Of Saint Elizabeth
Rider University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Located in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,241. Rider University alumni report median earnings of $62,208 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Rider University
Monmouth University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Based in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on Monmouth University
Felician College landed the #34 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Set in Lodi, NJ, Felician College is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Felician College alumni report median earnings of $57,602 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Read the full report on Felician College
Berkeley College Woodland Park ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Woodland Park, NJ, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $27,068 to complete their Nursing program here. Berkeley College Woodland Park alumni report median earnings of $40,251 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,068 median debt. Read more about Berkeley College Woodland Park
Seton Hall University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $70,196. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. More on Seton Hall University
Saint Peters College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jersey City, NJ. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,815 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%. Read more about Saint Peters College
Georgian Court University landed the #38 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Based in Lakewood, NJ, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,752. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,096 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,752 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%. See the full Georgian Court University profile
Caldwell College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Caldwell, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $53,843 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%. See the full Caldwell College profile
Bloomfield College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Bloomfield, NJ. 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. Bloomfield College alumni report median earnings of $45,902 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Bloomfield College
St Francis Medical Center School Of Radiologic Technology ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. More on St Francis Medical Center School Of Radiologic Technology
Ocean County Vocational Technical School placed #42 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. See the full Ocean County Vocational Technical School profile
Asi Career Institute landed the #43 spot for value in New Jersey this year. See the full Asi Career Institute profile
Cutting Edge Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read more about Cutting Edge Academy
Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Yeshivas Beer Yitzchok
American Institute Of Alternative Medicine East Brunswick ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about American Institute Of Alternative Medicine East Brunswick
Chamberlain University New Jersey came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Chamberlain University New Jersey report
Seminary Bnos Chaim placed #48 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. Get the full Seminary Bnos Chaim report
Yeshivas Emek Hatorah came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Yeshivas Emek Hatorah profile
Pro Beauty Academy The Kenilworth placed #50 among the best-value Nursing schools in New Jersey. More on Pro Beauty Academy The Kenilworth
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 40 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).
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