2026 Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey
Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing programs.
College Factual analyzed 51 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
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Best Schools for Nursing in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in New Jersey.
Top Schools in Nursing
Our analysis ranked William Paterson University Of New Jersey the best school in the country for a degree in nursing. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. William Paterson University Of New Jersey graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 680 nursing students who graduated with this degree at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $107,413 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
See the full nursing program report for William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Rutgers University New Brunswick is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 447 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $108,083. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Rutgers University New Brunswick
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at The College Of New Jersey, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 71 nursing degrees were awarded at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $96,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,204.
More information about a degree in nursing from The College Of New Jersey
Monmouth University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Monmouth University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 119 nursing degrees were awarded at Monmouth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Monmouth University earn around $102,075 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the nursing program at Monmouth University
A rank of #5 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the top schools for nursing. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 286 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $108,083 early in their careers. Rutgers University Camden graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Rutgers University Camden
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #6 among the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the rural area of Galloway. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates 68% of students within six years. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey awarded about 97 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn around $81,885 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full nursing details for The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Montclair State University earned the #7 position for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Montclair. About 65% of students finish within six years. Montclair State University awarded about 89 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Montclair State University earn around $104,219 in the first couple years of their career. Montclair State University graduates carry a median of $27,031 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Montclair State University
Rowan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 127 nursing degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Rowan University earn around $102,156 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Rowan University
Kean University landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Kean University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 65 nursing degrees were awarded at Kean University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $101,039. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Kean University
Thomas Edison State College came in at #10 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Trenton, Thomas Edison State College is a large public university. About 158 nursing degrees were awarded at Thomas Edison State College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Thomas Edison State College earn a median of $103,399 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,618.
Read more about the nursing program at Thomas Edison State College
Seton Hall University earned the #11 position for nursing this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 192 nursing degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $101,486. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Seton Hall University
County College Of Morris landed the #12 spot for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Randolph. There were roughly 78 nursing students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. County College Of Morris graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from County College Of Morris
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 147 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $102,576 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Teaneck. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 116 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $109,581 in their early career. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Camden County College placed #15 among the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. There were roughly 161 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Camden County College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $76,681 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Camden County College
Georgian Court University placed #16 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Georgian Court University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 104 nursing degrees were awarded at Georgian Court University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $85,963 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Georgian Court University
Brookdale Community College placed #17 among the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. About 131 nursing degrees were awarded at Brookdale Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $80,574 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,366 to complete this degree.
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Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #18 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham awarded about 35 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $109,581 early in their careers. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
Bergen Community College came in at #19 for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 102 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bergen Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $76,147 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Bergen Community College
New Jersey City University placed #20 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 nursing students who graduated with this degree at New Jersey City University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $90,730 early in their careers. New Jersey City University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for New Jersey City University
Ocean County College landed the #21 spot for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Toms River. There were roughly 132 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ocean County College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $82,925. Ocean County College graduates carry a median of $22,418 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Ocean County College
Saint Peters College came in at #22 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Peters College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $108,494. Saint Peters College graduates carry a median of $24,457 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Saint Peters College
Middlesex County College placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. About 60 nursing degrees were awarded at Middlesex County College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $69,896. Middlesex County College graduates carry a median of $17,506 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Middlesex County College
Caldwell College came in at #24 for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Caldwell College graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Caldwell College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Caldwell College earn around $88,550 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Caldwell College
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #25 for nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 57 nursing degrees were awarded at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $82,020. Raritan Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $19,145 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Raritan Valley Community College
Rest of the Top 48 Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 51 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
