2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New Jersey
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $69,896. That is a strong return on a $17,506 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $20,430 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $70,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,631 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $74,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $76,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #5. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $71,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. 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 $19,145 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $82,020 early in their careers. Set against $19,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,420. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $92,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $9,581. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Warren County Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,460, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,195. Registered Nursing graduates of Union County College earn a median of $82,581 early in their careers. Set against $30,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,336. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,913, with out-of-state students paying around $9,294. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $19,366 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $80,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Students borrow a median of $22,418 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,929. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
Saint Peters College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,457 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $108,494 early in their careers. Set against $24,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Salem Community College earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,395. Registered Nursing graduates of Salem Community College earn a median of $74,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $101,039. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $109,581. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Montclair State University landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,031. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $104,219. That is a strong return on a $27,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Gloucester County College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $71,929. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $107,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $108,083 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
New Jersey City University came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $90,730. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
- 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.
