2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in New Jersey
Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in New Jersey
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Our analysis ranked William Paterson University Of New Jersey the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. This large public university is located in the suburb of Wayne. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. William Paterson University Of New Jersey awarded about 657 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $107,413 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Rutgers University New Brunswick is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 298 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $108,083 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
The College Of New Jersey came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 71 registered nursing degrees were awarded at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $96,898 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,204 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at The College Of New Jersey
Monmouth University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 51 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Monmouth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $102,075. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Monmouth University
A rank of #5 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the top schools for registered nursing. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 256 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $108,083 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Rutgers University Camden
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #6 position for registered nursing this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. About 68% of students finish within six years. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey awarded about 90 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $81,885. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Montclair State University landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 89 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $104,219 in their early career. Montclair State University graduates carry a median of $27,031 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Montclair State University
Rowan University placed #8 among the best registered nursing schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 84 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Rowan University earn around $102,156 in the first couple years of their career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Rowan University
Thomas Edison State College placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Thomas Edison State College is a large public school located in the city of Trenton. About 115 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Thomas Edison State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $103,399 in their early career. Thomas Edison State College graduates carry a median of $22,618 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Thomas Edison State College
Seton Hall University landed the #10 spot for registered nursing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Seton Hall University awarded about 124 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered 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.
See the full registered nursing program report for Seton Hall University
County College Of Morris placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. County College Of Morris awarded about 78 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. County College Of Morris graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for County College Of Morris
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn around $109,581 in the first couple years of their career. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Camden County College came in at #13 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blackwood. About 161 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Camden County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Camden County College earn around $76,681 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,600.
Get the full registered nursing details for Camden County College
Georgian Court University came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgian Court University awarded about 104 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Georgian Court University earn around $85,963 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Georgian Court University
Brookdale Community College earned the #15 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 131 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Brookdale Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $80,574 in their early career. Brookdale Community College graduates carry a median of $19,366 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Brookdale Community College
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $109,581. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
Bergen Community College earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Paramus. There were roughly 102 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bergen Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $76,147 early in their careers. Bergen Community College graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Bergen Community College
New Jersey City University placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Jersey City. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. New Jersey City University awarded about 31 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $90,730. New Jersey City University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from New Jersey City University
Ocean County College came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Ocean County College awarded about 132 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Ocean County College earn around $82,925 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,418.
See the full registered nursing program report for Ocean County College
Saint Peters College earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 29 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Peters College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Saint Peters College earn around $108,494 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,457 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Saint Peters College
Middlesex County College earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. About 60 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Middlesex County College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $69,896. Students borrow a median of $17,506 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Middlesex County College
Caldwell College earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Caldwell College awarded about 58 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $88,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Caldwell College
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #23 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 57 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $82,020 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,145.
See the full registered nursing program report for Raritan Valley Community College
Berkeley College Woodland Park ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Woodland Park, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 60 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Berkeley College Woodland Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Berkeley College Woodland Park generally make around $87,821. Berkeley College Woodland Park graduates carry a median of $45,693 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Berkeley College Woodland Park
Union County College came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Cranford. About 319 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Union County College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Union County College earn a median of $82,581 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,195.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Union County College
Rest of the Top 46 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 48 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.
