Nursing Schools in New Jersey

Top RN Programs in New Jersey

This year, we've compiled a list of top nursing schools in the state by examining NCLEX-RN pass rates from the last three years. Our analysis focused on schools with consistent graduate numbers and a minimum average pass rate of 80%. By looking at these rates, you can see which schools effectively prepare their students for the licensure exam and beyond. For a detailed breakdown of how we determined these rankings, visit our ranking methodology page.
Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
96.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Seton Hall University was founded in 1856 in South Orange, New Jersey. It is a private institution with both undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Seton Hall University is a Roman Catholic university that consists of 11 different colleges and schools. The university has received several awards and recognitions, including ranking as one of the top five private universities for undergraduate internships. The main campus is on 58 acres of land and houses 9 of the 11 schools and colleges. Several of the main administrative buildings were built in the 19th century after the college moved from its original location in Madison to South Orange.

The Seton Hall University College of Nursing was founded in 1937. The school offers seven different nursing programs. The prelicensure nursing programs include the standard BSN program, along with accelerated BSN and RN to BSN programs. The traditional BSN program is a four-year program that includes hands-on learning and clinical practice at simulation labs and local clinics. The graduate programs include MSN, accelerated MSN, DNP, and PhD options. All programs are accredited by the CCNE. The baccalaureate programs and master’s program are also accredited by the ACEN. The nursing college was ranked as one of the top 100 graduate nursing programs in the country. 

Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
96.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
95.3%
Student Population
Large
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
94.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Medium
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
94.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Middlesex County College (MCC) is located in Edison, New Jersey. MCC was established in 1964 and currently offers students 90 different degree and certificate programs. Students will be able to use MCC to meet their goals in life and find success in many lucrative career paths. This school even has several online course opportunities for students who want to learn in that way.

The nursing program at MCC is also seen as a huge success. This associate’s degree nursing program has been approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and is also fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Nursing students at this school will be directly involved with caring for individuals. This allows nursing students to gain experience rapidly while being supervised by experienced professionals. Nursing clinical experiences will take place at Raritan Bay Medical Center. Students will be properly prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam upon graduation from the program.

Student Population
Medium
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
92.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
92.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Medium
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
92.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Rowan College at Gloucester County (RCGC) is located in Sewell, New Jersey and was originally known as Gloucester County College. RCGC was established back in 1966 and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. RCGC offers more than 70 different associate’s degree programs and certificate options. It should be noted that RCGC is a popular transfer school. Students will have many transfer options when they are looking to transfer their earned credits to four-year universities. It is a school that offers a convenient educational experience to all students.

The RCGC nursing program is very well respected. Students will be able to pursue the associate’s degree nursing program and there is also an LPN-to-RN track program. The nursing program combines general education courses with nursing courses to prepare students for life as professional nurses. This nursing program is approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students will be able to thrive in this student-centered environment and will be fully prepared for the NCLEX licensure exam upon graduation.

Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
97.0%

Available Programs


Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Thomas Edison State University (TECU) is a public university in Trenton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1972 as the Thomas Edison State College. After receiving university status in 2015, the college changed its name to reflect its new status. The campus is in downtown Trenton and continues to grow. It now includes the Kelsey Building, the Center for Learning and Technology, and the Academic Center. The university offers over 100 programs through its five schools. These schools include the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. The university has also embraced technology by offering a variety of online courses and programs that are offered entirely online. 

Students wishing to obtain a BSN may apply to the traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, or RN to BSN program. The accelerated BSN is for students with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and takes 12 months to complete. It is a full-time program and the university discourages students from working while completing the program. The school also offers an MSN program and an RN to MSN program. Registered nurses with an associate degree may work toward their BSN or MSN degree. These programs are accredited by both the CCNE and the ACEN. 

Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
88.7%

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
87.7%

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus was founded in 1942 in Teaneck, New Jersey. It is a private institution with both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university currently offers more than 100 different degree programs and maintains four campuses. It is also the largest private institution in New Jersey, serving over 12,000 students annually. The metropolitan campus spans the Hackensack River and is close to New York City. The campus also has three main residence areas, including the University Court, which includes 10 building complexes. In 2014, the university was ranked the 69th best regional university by US News & World Report. 

The Fairleigh Dickinson University Henry P. Becton School of Nursing offers nursing students five different CCNE-accredited nursing programs, including three BSN options. The BSN programs include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN. Graduate programs include an MSN program and a DNP program. For the past three years, the school has maintained an NCLEX-RN exam pass rate that exceeds the national and state averages. The school of nursing was established in 1952 and maintains partnerships with many local clinics. These partnerships include the Morristown Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, and the Bergen Regional Medical Center, where nursing students receive their clinical experiences. 

Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
90.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Rutgers University-Newark is a public institution in Newark, New Jersey. It was founded in 1766 in New Brunswick, making it the eighth oldest college in the US. The university became a state university in 1945 and then merged with the former University of Newark. The campus is in the University Heights area of Newark and includes several schools and colleges, along with several research institutes. It is also the most diverse national university in the country. The university is organized into seven professional schools. Most of these schools are located on the Newark campus, while several are in Camden and New Brunswick. 

The Rutgers University-Newark School of Nursing was ranked one of the top 20 graduate nursing schools. Seven nursing programs are offered at the school. The BSN options include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs. Other options include MSN, DNP, PhD, and BSN to PhD programs. The traditional BSN program is a four-year program, while the accelerated program allows students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field to earn their BSN in just 14-months. The RN to BSN program is for registered nurses that want to obtain their BSN. However, the school also provides options for registered nurses that want to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree. 

Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
90.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
93.3%

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
90.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
96.0%

Cumberland County College is located in Vineland, New Jersey. Cumberland was established back in 1966 and enrolls around 4000 students annually. There are 87 programs at this school that will allow students to earn associate’s degrees of some type and many different certificate courses that are more career focused. Cumberland aims to provide them with the most thorough education possible. This school also has several satellite locations where students can train and further their education.

The Cumberland nursing program offers students three programs to consider. There is a practical nursing program, a two-year registered nursing program, and an LPN-to-RN transition program. All programs are held to a very high standard and are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills that are necessary to succeed in both classroom and clinical experiences. The Cumberland County College nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.

Student Population
Medium
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
90.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
87.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
87.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
85.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


New Jersey's NCLEX-RN pass rate Vs. National Average

New Jersey's NCLEX-PN pass rate Vs. National Average