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Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in New Jersey

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

New Jersey City University delivers the state's most affordable nursing education at just $11,732 net cost, making quality healthcare training accessible in a region where Johnson & Johnson and Merck headquarters drive massive demand for skilled nurses. The $13,500 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs reveals striking disparities in nursing education pricing across New Jersey. Saint Elizabeth University graduates command the highest starting salaries at $83,768, nearly $13,000 above the state average, while maintaining relatively low debt loads of $12,500. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with six of the ten cheapest programs offered by state institutions. The proximity to New York City and Philadelphia pharmaceutical corridors creates abundant opportunities for nursing administration and clinical research roles, particularly valuable for graduates pursuing specialized tracks beyond bedside care. These cost advantages become important as New Jersey's aging population and major medical centers from Princeton-Plainsboro to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital continue expanding their nursing workforce requirements.
24
Programs
$11,732 – $41,315
Net Price Range
$76,284
Avg. Program Earnings
58.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,732 $13,971 38.7% 90.1%
2 $12,168 $13,426 43.4% 82.6%
3 $12,973 $41,054 63.1% 88.8%
4 $14,159 $14,766 64.3% 91.3%
5 $15,266 $35,822 61.7% 84.1%
6 $17,764 $15,150 47.7% 91.5%
7 $17,949 $35,942 40.2% 71.9%
8 $18,778 $30,680 31.1% 78.2%
9 $18,803 $17,079 66.4% 76.5%
10 $19,634 $15,532 72.0% 85.5%
11 $20,218 $37,110 55.1% 75.8%
12 $20,360 $15,978 71.9% 70.5%
13 $20,549 $28,600 44.8%
14 $21,188 $39,450 58.7% 66.4%
15 $22,185 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
16 $23,519 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
17 $23,532 $18,947 25.5% 17.1%
18 $24,415 $35,822 72.3% 89.1%
19 $25,287 $38,900 63.3% 84.1%
20 $25,458 $18,685 85.2% 64.4%
21 $28,921 $51,370 71.5% 75.1%
22 $31,650 $44,850 70.3% 90.9%
23 $36,438 $20,462 90.0%
24 $41,315 $37,830 49.7% 89.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes New Jersey City University's $11,732 nursing program so affordable compared to others?

NJCU benefits from state funding that keeps costs low while serving a varied urban population in Jersey City. The university's 90.14% acceptance rate reflects its accessible admission standards, though graduates earn solid $77,087 starting salaries. The $12,500 average debt load demonstrates how public funding translates into genuine affordability for nursing students.

How do private nursing schools justify costs reaching $41,054 at Saint Peter's University?

Private institutions often provide smaller class sizes, extensive clinical partnerships, and specialized equipment that drive up operational costs. Saint Peter's graduates earn $81,886 annually, ranking among the top three in the state for nursing salaries. The 63.1% graduation rate suggests stronger student support systems, though students graduate with $16,487 in debt on average.

Does attending a more expensive nursing program guarantee higher earnings?

Saint Elizabeth University proves this relationship isn't straightforward, producing the highest-earning graduates at $83,768 despite charging $35,942 tuition. However, Kean University graduates earn $82,238 with much lower costs at $13,426 in-state tuition. The data shows earnings depend more on program quality and clinical partnerships than price tags.

Where do New Jersey nursing graduates find the best employment opportunities?

The pharmaceutical corridor housing Johnson & Johnson and Merck offers specialized roles in clinical research and regulatory affairs for nursing graduates. Major hospital systems like RWJBarnabas Health and Atlantic Health provide traditional bedside and administrative positions. Proximity to New York City expands options into premium healthcare facilities and research institutions within commuting distance.

What graduation rates should prospective nursing students expect from affordable programs?

Stockton University achieves an impressive 72% graduation rate while maintaining reasonable $19,634 net costs, proving affordable doesn't mean ineffective. New Jersey City University's 38.7% rate reflects the challenges many working students face in urban settings. Montclair State reaches 64.3% graduation rates at just $14,766 in-state tuition, demonstrating solid value for state funding.

More Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.