Nursing Programs in Trenton, NJ

Rowan College at Burlington County's two-year, ACEN-accredited AAS in Nursing prepares students for the NCLEX-RN with a deep curriculum in medical-surgical, mental health, maternal-child, and pediatric nursing. The on-campus program combines simulation labs and clinical rotations at regional hospitals. Prospective students need a 3.0 GPA, prerequisite courses, and a passing TEAS score. Graduates achieved a 98.28% NCLEX pass rate in 2024 (96.15% in 2023). The program features an automatic 3+1 RN-to-BSN pathway to Rowan University, and interested students can access NJ Pay It Forward interest-free loans and employer tuition assistance.

• ACEN, New Jersey Board of Nursing accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 2-Year program
• 71 total credit hours
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN

This hybrid 3+1 pathway at Rowan College at Burlington County allows students to earn an AAS and BSN in a flexible format, with 92 credits taken at RCBC and 30 online credits via Rowan University—120 credits total. Designed for current RNs and pre-licensure students, it offers RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN options. Once the AAS is completed, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN to enter the online senior year. No entrance exams are expressly required for the BSN stage; instead, progression relies on NCLEX success and prior coursework. The ADN segment's NCLEX pass reached 98.28% in 2024, signaling excellent preparation.

• Hybrid nursing degree program
• 92 RCBC credits + 30 Rowan credits
• Online senior year courses
• NCLEX required for progression
• Total 120 credits for BSN
• Multiple entry pathways
• RN-BSN and RN-MSN options

The Traditional BS in Nursing at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a full-time, four-year program for students entering directly from high school. The curriculum integrates nursing sciences with hands-on clinical experience at the Newark and New Brunswick campuses, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN. Recognized among the top 10 percent of undergraduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report, recent first-time NCLEX pass rates ranged from 92.39% to 97.5% in 2023 and 93.12% to 97.06% in 2024. Students may enhance their education through the Honors Program or Pathways Program. Admission follows Rutgers' undergraduate process, and the university is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are not required, though students may submit them if they choose.

• 4-Year program
• Full-time enrollment
• Prepares for RN Licensure Exam
• Top 10 percent nationally
• Campus options in Newark or New Brunswick
• Honors Program available

Thomas Edison State University's online RN-to-BSN is built for licensed registered nurses to complete their bachelor's degree with maximum flexibility. The fully online, CCNE-accredited program charges $311 per credit (120 total credits) and accepts up to 90 community college credits or up to 60 credits from a diploma nursing program. Rolling admissions and asynchronous eight-week courses allow students to study at their own pace while working. Curriculum topics include leadership, evidence-based practice, public health nursing, and health policy. A current RN license is the primary admission requirement—no SAT/ACT scores are needed. Small classes, dedicated advisors, and no waiting list are added benefits. Up to 12 credits can be applied toward an MSN degree, making this a strategic step for career advancement.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, New Jersey Board of Nursing accredited
• $311 per credit
• 120 total credit hours
• Rolling admissions
• Starts rolling
• Asynchronous online classes
• Financial aid available
• Up to 90 community college credits transfer
• Up to 60 credits for diploma graduates
• Eight-week course terms

Thomas Edison State University's Accelerated BSN is a 15-month hybrid program for individuals with prior college credit or a bachelor's degree outside nursing. Combining online didactic learning with on-campus labs and clinicals at Magnet facilities, students master fundamentals, health assessment, pediatrics, and complex care using a modern simulation lab. This CCNE-accredited track delivers three graduate-level courses that can stack toward an MSN. NCLEX pass rates for TESU BSN graduates were 100% (2023) and 90.91% (2024). Prerequisite courses and a $50 application fee are required; admission does not require ACT/SAT scores. With tuition at $46,140, multiple start dates, generous transfer credits, and financial aid, it offers an accelerated route to registered nursing practice and beyond.

• CCNE, New Jersey Board of Nursing accredited
• $46,140 total program tuition
• 15-Month program
• 60 total credit hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• $50 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Hybrid online and on-campus courses