Nursing Programs in Newark, NJ

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Newark

Rankings provide prospective students with a clear, data-driven way to compare nursing programs. For our Best Nursing Schools in Newark ranking, Registerednursing.org analyzed state board data to determine which schools produce the most competent nurses. We use NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criterion, ensuring an objective assessment. For more details, see our methodology: https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Pass rates remained consistently high across 2023 and 2024, with a slight decline in the most recent year. The total number of students tested also decreased, reflecting a smaller cohort.

• 2023: 90.13% average pass rate (537 students)
• 2024: 88.79% average pass rate (464 students)

Top Performing Schools

These three schools demonstrated the highest average pass rates over the two-year period. Each had at least 20 students, ensuring statistically meaningful results.

• Saint Peter's University: 98.67% average pass rate
• Seton Hall University: 95.16% average pass rate
• Montclair State University: 92.98% average pass rate

Pass Rate by Program Size

Medium-sized programs (50-100 students per year) outperformed smaller programs by a significant margin. Smaller programs may have more variability due to lower sample sizes.

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

Biggest Improvements

Several schools improved their pass rates over the reporting period, with Montclair State University showing the most significant gain.

• Montclair State University: +4.78 percentage points
• Caldwell University: +1.15 percentage points
• New Jersey City University: +0.76 percentage points

Consistently High Performing Schools

These five schools maintained average pass rates above 90% across multiple years, demonstrating consistent quality in their nursing programs.

• Saint Peter's University: 98.67% average pass rate
• Seton Hall University: 95.16% average pass rate
• Montclair State University: 92.98% average pass rate
• Best Care College: 90.91% average pass rate
• New Jersey City University: 90.65% average pass rate

#1

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 four-year, campus-based Generic or Basic BSN program designed for pre-licensure students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The comprehensive curriculum covers theoretical bases, pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, and nursing care across the lifespan, including adults, child-bearing families, children, and psychiatric-mental health. Students complete a capstone in community health nursing and gain hands-on clinical experience at various healthcare sites, requiring travel and adherence to uniform policies. Accredited by CCNE and the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and careers as registered nurses in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. Admission requires TEAS exam scores, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and B grades in anatomy prerequisites, ensuring a rigorous foundation for professional nursing practice.

• CCNE, New Jersey Board of Nursing accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 4-Year program
• Complete in four years (or eight semesters)
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Capstone course included

Bachelor's - Accelerated BSN Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Saint Peter's University's Accelerated BSN program offers a fast track to nursing for those with a prior bachelor's degree. In just 15 months, students complete 64 credits of intensive coursework covering pharmacology, health assessment, pathophysiology, and nursing care across the lifespan — from pediatrics to geriatrics. Clinical experiences and simulations, led by practicing professionals, build real-world skills in hospitals, community health settings, and mental health facilities. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX and pursue careers as registered nurses in diverse healthcare environments. The curriculum emphasizes ethical, empathetic practice and leadership. With spring and fall start dates and a per-credit tuition of $450, this program is a practical choice for career changers ready to make a difference in patient care.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• $28,800 total program tuition
• $450 per credit
• 15-Month program
• 64 total credit hours
• Starts spring/fall
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Financial aid available

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#2

Seton Hall University

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

Bachelor's - B.S., Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Seton Hall's BSN program, New Jersey's first, blends liberal arts with nursing education. Students study anatomy, physiology, psychology, and ethics, then apply knowledge in clinical settings from hospitals to community health. Clinical experiences begin sophomore year. With a 95.1% NCLEX-RN pass rate and 84% of faculty holding doctorates, the program prepares graduates for nursing careers and graduate study. Accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, it meets pre-licensure requirements for most states. Seton Hall develops compassionate leaders ready to make a difference.

• 95% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• New Jersey's first B.S.N. program
• 84% of faculty hold doctoral degrees
• 12% male undergraduate nursing students
• Clinical experiences begin sophomore year
• Curriculum includes anatomy, physiology, psychology, ethics
• Patient-care experiences in hospitals, long-term care, community health

#3

Montclair State University

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

Bachelor's - BSN in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Montclair State University prepares you for a rewarding career in healthcare. Through a comprehensive curriculum blending science, mathematics, and humanities, you'll develop critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills to treat the whole patient. You'll train in Montclair's state-of-the-art Simulation Center with intelligent manikins and the Anatomage Table for 3D anatomy exploration, then apply your skills in real clinical settings through partnerships with local hospitals and clinics. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN exam and often receive job offers from their clinical rotation sites. This in-person, four-year program offers a fall start and is accredited by the CCNE.

• CCNE accredited
• 4-Year program
• Complete in four-year BSN program
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Scholarships available
• State-of-the-art Simulation Center for practice

#4

Best Care College

East Orange, NJ - Private 2-year - bestcarecollege.edu

Associate - Associate of Science in Registered Nursing (LPN to RN) Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Best Care College's Associate of Science in Registered Nursing (LPN to RN) Program provides licensed practical nurses a strategic pathway to advance their nursing career. Designed for working professionals, this program enables LPNs to seamlessly transition into registered nursing with comprehensive, quality education. Students gain advanced clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination. The program emphasizes culturally sensitive care, community engagement, and professional development. Prospective students benefit from flexible class schedules, experienced faculty, and a supportive learning environment that prepares them for diverse healthcare settings.

• 18-month nursing advancement
• Designed for working LPNs
• Culturally sensitive healthcare focus
• Experienced faculty support
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam

#5

Hudson County Community College

Jersey City, NJ - Public 2-Year - hccc.edu

Associate - Nursing AS

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Nursing AS program at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) prepares students for a career as a registered nurse through a blend of general education, science, and nursing theory combined with diverse practical experiences. The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, and sequential nursing courses from Nursing I through Nursing IV, culminating in Nursing Leadership. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. HCCC offers flexible scheduling with day, evening, and weekend options, making it accessible for working students. The program features a state-of-the-art simulation lab and supportive faculty with years of clinical experience. Students benefit from strong articulation agreements with four-year BSN programs, including a joint admission agreement with New Jersey City University. With a high NCLEX pass rate and strong job placement, the program provides a solid foundation for a nursing career.

• ACEN, New Jersey Board of Nursing accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Rolling admissions
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• 96% job placement rate
• $0 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available

*Data retrieved from: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025.

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.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Newark, NJ

Every day registered nurses in Newark, New Jersey are on the front lines saving lives. If you’d like to have a greater role in decision-making, you can earn a graduate degree, post-master's certificate, or doctorate degree to work as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Working-nurse friendly programs from Newark-area colleges make it possible to earn this advanced degree in an attainable timeframe.

MSN Programs

How far you take your nursing career is up to you. With so many options for advancement and specialization available, the opportunities are almost endless. William Paterson University, located about 30 minutes outside of Newark, offers several certified Master of Science in Nursing programs, including Nurse Practitioners in various specialties. New Jersey allows licensed practitioners to work independently of physicians to diagnose and treat patients. MSN programs are offered both full-time for traditional students and part-time for working adults.

Learn more about New Jersey Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Advanced practice nurses can impact patient care in so many ways. However, once you’ve gained experience as a hands-on nurse, you’ve likely found your niche where you’d like to specialize. By earning a post-grad certificate, you can gain the competencies needed to specialize as a Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care or Primary Care), Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics Manager, Nursing Educator and more. Rutgers University, which has a Newark facility, offers these low-cost post-grad certs that can be completed in less time than an additional degree.

Learn more about New Jersey Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Public health initiatives and policies are making headlines. Making meaningful contributions to this field has never been so important. Nurses who would like to impact the larger spectrum of public health, including policy, equity and healthcare delivery issues can pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Seton Hall University, located west across the Parkway from Newark, NJ, offers an online program that includes topics such as population health, healthcare systems, and implementing evidence-based practice. Applicants to the leadership and policy-focused program must have direct patient care experience.

Learn more about New Jersey DNP Programs.