Nursing Programs in Newark, NJ

Last Updated On Feb 19, 2026

3 Min Read

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Newark

Rankings help nursing students identify programs with strong educational outcomes, providing data-driven insights for informed decisions. Registerednursing.org is creating the "Best Nursing Schools in Newark" rankings based solely on NCLEX pass rates. This objective measure reflects program effectiveness in preparing graduates for licensure. For detailed methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

NCLEX pass rates in Newark have shown slight fluctuations in recent years. The data indicates overall stability with minor variations.

2024: Average pass rate 88.79% with 464 students
2023: Average pass rate 90.13% with 537 students

BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison

Different nursing program types demonstrate varying NCLEX performance levels in Newark. This comparison helps students understand how degree pathways may impact licensure success.

BSN programs: 90.91% average pass rate with 286 students
ADN programs: 77.78% average pass rate with 90 students
MSN programs: 100% average pass rate with 20 students

Top Performing Schools

Several Newark nursing schools consistently achieve high NCLEX pass rates. These institutions demonstrate strong educational outcomes for their graduates.

Saint Peter's University: 98.67% average pass rate with 75 students
Seton Hall University: 95.16% average pass rate with 248 students
Montclair State University: 92.98% average pass rate with 114 students

Pass Rate by Program Size

Program enrollment size correlates with NCLEX performance in Newark nursing schools. Medium-sized programs show the highest average pass rates.

Small programs (<50 students/year): 83.97% average pass rate with 131 students
Medium programs (50-100 students/year): 90.56% average pass rate with 265 students

Consistently High Performing Schools

Multiple Newark nursing schools maintain excellent NCLEX pass rates across multiple years. These institutions provide reliable educational quality for nursing students.

Saint Peter's University: 98.67% average pass rate with 75 students over 2 years
Seton Hall University: 95.16% average pass rate with 248 students over 2 years
Montclair State University: 92.98% average pass rate with 114 students over 2 years
Best Care College: 90.91% average pass rate with 22 students over 2 years
New Jersey City University: 90.65% average pass rate with 139 students over 2 years

Saint Peter's University

Jersey City, NJ - Private 4-year - saintpeters.edu

Bachelor's - Generic or Basic BSN Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Saint Peter's University offers a comprehensive four-year campus-based BSN program that prepares students for professional nursing practice through rigorous theoretical coursework and extensive clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, completion of prerequisite science courses, and passing the TEAS entrance exam. With CCNE and NJ Board accreditation, the program emphasizes clinical skills, critical thinking, and professional development. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates show strong performance, with 100% pass rates in 2023 and mixed results in 2024, indicating solid exam preparation for graduates entering the nursing field.

Four-year campus-based BSN program
CCNE and NJ Board Accredited
3.0 GPA admission requirement
Comprehensive clinical experiences
NCLEX-RN exam preparation
78% minimum grade in nursing courses
Clinical agency placements
Immunization and health requirements
Multiple clinical settings exposure
Professional nursing skill development

Bachelor's - Accelerated BSN Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Saint Peter's University's Accelerated BSN Program provides a fast-paced 15-month pathway for individuals with existing bachelor's degrees to transition into nursing. This campus-based program requires a 3.0 GPA, B or higher in prerequisite science courses, and satisfactory TEAS exam results. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings, focusing on ethical practice, community health nursing, and psychiatric-mental health nursing. With recent NCLEX-RN pass rates showing strong performance in 2023 and varied results in 2024, the program prepares graduates for competent nursing practice through intensive, focused education.

15-month completion.
60 total credits.
$410 per credit.
Campus-based program.
Requires bachelor's degree.
3.0 GPA required.
B or higher in sciences.
TEAS exam 78% or higher.
Clinical experiences included.
Ethical practice focus.

Show 1 More Programs ˅

Essex County College

Newark, NJ - Public 2-Year - essex.edu

Associate - Nursing - AAS

Campus Based - Visit Website

Essex County College in Newark offers an ACEN-accredited Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing, a 66-credit campus program requiring clinical placements and minimum 'C' grades in core courses. The curriculum covers anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals to prepare graduates for licensure. This program does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams. Recent NCLEX pass rates are strong, with 92.11% in 2023 and 100% in 2024 among 36-38 students, indicating effective preparation for the RN licensing exam. Financial aid options support students pursuing this career-focused education in healthcare.

Accredited by NJ Board of Nursing.
ACEN accredited RN program.
66 total credits required.
Minimum 'C' grade in key courses.
Includes clinical placement requirements.
Covers anatomy, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals.
Prepares for licensure exams.
Financial aid options available.
Campus-based program in Newark, NJ.
Focus on safe, culturally sensitive care.

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ - Private 4-year - shu.edu

Bachelor's - B.S., Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Seton Hall University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program stands as New Jersey's first B.S.N. offering, blending liberal arts education with comprehensive clinical training that begins in the sophomore year. The program requires ACT or SAT scores for admission and boasts impressive NCLEX-RN exam outcomes, including a 97.4% first-time pass rate in 2024. With 84% of faculty holding doctoral degrees, students gain interprofessional education across diverse clinical settings, covering essential topics like anatomy, physiology, and ethics to prepare for varied healthcare careers.

New Jersey's first B.S.N. program
97.4% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate
Clinical experiences start sophomore year
Diverse clinical practice settings
Interprofessional education approach
84% faculty with doctoral degrees
Liberal arts foundation

Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ - Public 4-Year - montclair.edu

Bachelor's - BSN in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Montclair State University's four-year BSN program provides comprehensive nursing education with a strong emphasis on clinical experience, beginning in the sophomore year. The 120-credit curriculum integrates sciences, mathematics, and humanities to build essential nursing skills. Admission considers high school GPA, rigorous coursework, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement, but does not require ACT or SAT scores. The program's NCLEX pass rates are strong, with 92.86% for BSN graduates in 2024 and 90.32% in 2023, demonstrating effective preparation for licensure. Students develop critical thinking and patient-centered care abilities through simulation center practice and diverse community clinical settings, preparing them for immediate nursing practice or advanced graduate studies.

120 credits for degree
Campus-based learning
Early clinical exposure
NCLEX-RN exam eligible
Focus on critical thinking
Patient-centered care approach
Strong foundation in sciences
Admission requires personal statement
Letters of recommendation needed
High school GPA considered

New Jersey City University

Jersey City, NJ - Public 4-Year - njcu.edu

Bachelor's - Accelerated BSN

Campus Based - Visit Website

New Jersey City University's Accelerated BSN program offers a 12-month, full-time pathway for college graduates transitioning into nursing. This campus-based program requires a bachelor's degree and specific science prerequisites, with entrance requiring a HESI exam score of 80% or higher. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical practice for rapid skill development, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Recent NCLEX pass rates show strong performance, with 91.04% in 2024 and 90.28% in 2023 among BSN graduates. Ideal for career changers, the program includes a cohort of 60 students starting each fall at the Jersey City campus, with additional costs for uniforms and materials.

12-month duration.
Full-time study required.
Campus-based program.
Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
Bachelor's degree prerequisite.
HESI exam score 80% minimum.
Two recommendations needed.
Resume submission required.
Developmental Psychology prerequisite.
Statistics course required.

*IPEDS 2024, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Newark, NJ

Nurses are needed now more than ever. Fewer professions command such a competitive salary from the start and offer nearly unlimited growth opportunities. Nursing has many entry-level pathways, including LPN to RN, ADN, or BSN degree. Colleges in Newark, New Jersey offer a range of starting points to those with and without a medical or healthcare background.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed Practical Nurses provide steady and consistent nursing care to elderly patients as well as those with chronic illnesses and medical conditions. Though there’s a high demand for these workers, LPNs can earn a higher salary and perform advanced tasks by becoming Registered Nurses. LPN to RN bridge programs such as the one offered at Union County College outside of Newark, NJ, seek to make the most of previously earned college credit and work experience. It is designed to get you through the program and ready for the RN exam as efficiently as possible.

ADN Programs

If you’re a fan of quality and efficiency and dislike the notion of wasting time and money when deciding to go back to school, then Essex County College’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing may be for you. Located in Newark, NJ, the program is recognized for its modern training facility and nursing simulation lab. The program prepares graduates to enter the hospital environment immediately upon graduation; it readies students to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The downside? The program is highly competitive, so we recommend applying early.

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs

Begin your career in nursing with the end in mind by earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the start. Doing so may solidify your career commitment as well as help you earn more on your first day of work which will add up cumulatively over the course of your career. Bloomfield College, located about 15 minutes north on the Parkway from Newark, offers a top-rated BSN with a 94% pass rate for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, one of the highest in the region. The traditional program covers nursing core topics including clinical judgment, teamwork, research, and evidence-based practice skills.

Find out more about New Jersey Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Newark, NJ

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is quickly becoming the standard for all working RNs. Top hospitals and medical centers prefer to hire them and BSN-holding RNs can work in preferred units. If you’ve thought of earning your BSN, schools in Newark, NJ are offering fast to complete, RN to BSN bridge programs. For those who know they want to enter high-level nursing specialties, the RN to MSN pathway is also available for ADN or diploma-educated nurses to advance to a master's degree.

RN to BSN Programs

Nurses are the lifeblood of hospitals; it’s impossible to imagine a medical center without them. Earn the respect and salary you deserve by obtaining your Bachelor of Science in Nursing via an RN-to-BSN bridge option. New Jersey’s Rutgers University, which has a Newark location, offers a highly recognized RN-to-BSN designed for experienced working nurses. Flexible and fast-moving, the program focuses on evidence-based practice, patient safety, public health, leadership, and technology among other topics. Most coursework can be completed online while on-site clinicals can typically be completed at your current place of employment.

Find out more about New Jersey RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

Some nurses know right away that they wanted to enter advanced-practice specialties and hold more prestigious nursing roles. For those nurses, the RN to MSN pathway allows them to work toward the goal of earning a master's degree in nursing. Depending on the program, the nurse may earn just the MSN, or sometimes both the BSN and MSN throughout the course of the bridge program. In either event, it's a seamless process from RN to master's-prepared nurse. Saint Peter's University, for example, offers an RN to MSN bridge option for nurses who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field.

Find out more about New Jersey RN to MSN Programs.

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

Jump to City:

Caldwell, NJ

Caldwell University

RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online program
- Accelerated 7-week modules
- 30 credits to complete
- Reduced tuition rate $545/credit
- Rolling admission
- No application fee
- Flexible start terms