Nursing Programs in Trenton, NJ

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Trenton

Rankings help prospective nursing students evaluate program quality and make informed decisions when choosing where to study. Registerednursing.org is creating the rankings for the Best Nursing Schools in Trenton, using NCLEX pass rates as the sole criteria to assess program effectiveness. For more details on our methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Statewide NCLEX pass rates have remained consistently high over recent years, indicating stable program performance.

• 2024: 85.7% average pass rate with 1,238 students
• 2023: 85.78% average pass rate with 1,188 students

Top Performing Schools

These institutions demonstrate exceptional NCLEX preparation with consistently high pass rates across multiple years.

• Rowan College at Burlington County: 97.27% average pass rate with 220 students
• Middlesex College: 97.17% average pass rate with 106 students
• Rutgers University: 94.49% average pass rate with 980 students

BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison

Different nursing program types show varying levels of NCLEX success rates across the state.

• ADN programs: 97.16% average pass rate with 176 students
• BSN programs: 73.91% average pass rate with 506 students
• Diploma programs: 89.39% average pass rate with 179 students

Geographic Trends

NCLEX performance varies significantly across different cities in the region, with some locations showing particularly strong results.

• Mount Laurel: 98.28% average pass rate with 116 students
• New Brunswick: 97.06% average pass rate with 102 students
• Edison: 95% average pass rate with 60 students
• Plainfield: 89.39% average pass rate with 179 students
• North Brunswick: 68.07% average pass rate with 404 students

Consistently High Performing Schools

These schools maintain excellence in NCLEX preparation with multiple years of data showing pass rates above 90%.

• Rowan College at Burlington County: 97.27% average pass rate with 220 students over 2 years
• Middlesex College: 97.17% average pass rate with 106 students over 2 years
• Rutgers University: 94.49% average pass rate with 980 students over 2 years

#1

Rowan College at Burlington County

Mount Laurel, NJ - Public 2-Year - rcbc.edu

Associate - Nursing (AAS.NUR)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Rowan College at Burlington County's Nursing (AAS.NUR) program is a campus-based, two-year associate degree that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission requires prerequisite courses, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and the ATI TEAS entrance exam. The program emphasizes critical thinking and professional standards through classroom instruction, simulation labs, and clinical rotations at top facilities. It offers interest-free tuition loans and a seamless 3+1 RN to BSN pathway with Rowan University. The program maintains high NCLEX pass rates, with 96.15% in 2023 and 98.28% in 2024 for its ADN program in Mount Laurel, NJ.

• Interest-free tuition loans
• Seamless 3+1 RN to BSN
• Hands-on simulation labs
• Clinical rotations at top facilities
• NCLEX-RN exam eligibility
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• ATI TEAS exam prerequisite
• Flexible degree options
• Comprehensive learning experience
• Path to licensure

Bachelor's - Nursing (AAS ? BSN)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The Nursing 3+1 program at Rowan College at Burlington County is a hybrid pathway to earn both an Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students complete 92 credits at RCBC followed by 30 online credits through Rowan University, totaling 120 credits for the BSN. This flexible program is designed for registered nurses advancing their careers, with no additional entrance exam required beyond initial licensure. It features multiple entry pathways including RN-BSN and RN-MSN options, with NCLEX-RN completion required for progression. The program leverages RCBC's strong NCLEX performance, including a 98.28% pass rate in 2024.

• 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

Show 1 More Programs ˅

#2

Rutgers University

New Brunswick, NJ - Public 4-Year - newbrunswick.rutgers.edu

Bachelor's - Traditional BS in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Rutgers University-New Brunswick's Traditional BS in Nursing program provides a comprehensive foundation for students beginning their nursing careers directly after high school. This campus-based program in New Brunswick prepares graduates for RN licensure with a curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge and extensive hands-on clinical experience. Admissions require meeting standard undergraduate criteria, including SAT or ACT scores. The program consistently demonstrates strong NCLEX pass rates, with recent data showing rates between 92.39% and 97.50% for BSN graduates, indicating effective preparation for the RN licensing exam. Recognized among the top 10% of nursing programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report, this full-time program offers financial aid options and benefits from on-campus hospital facilities.

• Full-time, campus-based program.
• Prepares for RN licensure exam.
• Hands-on learning experience.
• Financial aid available.

#3

Thomas Edison State University

Trenton, NJ - Public 4-Year - tesu.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online Learning - Visit Website

Thomas Edison State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program designed for registered nurses seeking career advancement. This flexible program allows working professionals to transfer up to 90 community college credits and complete coursework at their own pace through eight-week online courses. With competitive tuition at $311 per credit and CCNE accreditation, the program develops leadership, evidence-based practice, and healthcare policy skills. The program requires an RN license and offers rolling admissions with no waiting list. Recent NCLEX pass rates for BSN graduates were 100% in 2023 and 90.91% in 2024, demonstrating strong exam preparation.

• Fully online flexible format
• Up to 90 transfer credits
• Competitive $311 per credit
• Eight-week online courses
• Rolling admissions
• CCNE Accredited program
• RN license required
• Technical advisor support
• 12 credits toward MSN
• No waiting list

Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Thomas Edison State University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program provides a fast-track 15-month hybrid pathway for non-nurses with at least 60 college credits or a bachelor's degree in another field. This CCNE-accredited program combines online coursework with in-person clinical experiences in New Jersey healthcare settings, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. The estimated total tuition is $41,580 with additional material costs. The program emphasizes practical skills through clinical rotations and simulation lab training, requiring clinical compliance and reliable transportation. As a bachelor's level program, it may require ACT or SAT entrance exams for admission.

• 15-month program duration
• Hybrid online and in-person
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
• 60 credit hours required
• Clinical rotations in NJ
• Accredited by CCNE
• For non-nurses with 60+ credits
• Includes simulation lab training
• Estimated tuition $41,580
• Additional material costs apply

Show 1 More Programs ˅

*Higher education statistics sourced from IPEDS 2024 via NCES.

Entry Level ADN and BSN Programs in Trenton, NJ

For students who do not have any prior nursing education or experience, an entry-level nursing program is a place to start. Entry-level programs include the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree programs. Both of these programs prepare students to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and begin their careers in nursing.

LPN to RN Programs

St. Francis Medical Center is one option for LPN to RN training programs in the Trenton area that will help experienced licensed vocational nurses become qualified registered nurses. These programs allow practical nurses to become licensed as RNs at a faster pace than students without previous nursing experience. For example, the LPN to RN program at St. Francis Medical Center is completed in 10 months, compared with two years for their traditional RN training program.

ADN Programs

The ADN program, also known as a nursing diploma program, prepares students for an entry-level nursing position and is generally completed in two years. Middlesex County College prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam over four semesters and is accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs

BSN programs provide students with a more in-depth nursing education than ADN programs and generally take around four years to complete. Direct-entry BSN programs are designed for students who are entering their nursing education after completing a high school degree, or, in some cases, who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject. Rutgers University offers a traditional BSN program for recent high school graduates as well as an accelerated program designed for students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in another subject.

Learn more about New Jersey Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Trenton, NJ

A BSN or MSN degree can open the door to new job opportunities and higher pay. For registered nurses with an ADN who wish to go back to school to earn a higher degree, specialized RN to BSN or RN to MSN programs may be a good fit. These programs provide a pathway to a higher degree that takes into account completed nursing coursework, thereby saving the student the time and expense of duplicating foundational coursework.

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs are designed for working nurses who wish to earn their bachelor’s degree, and generally take less time than a direct-entry BSN program. Thomas Edison State University offers an RN to BSN program that includes 20 credits of coursework that may be satisfied by transfer credit from an ADN program, and 28 credits of coursework, much of which can be taken in an online format.

Learn more about New Jersey RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

RN to MSN programs prepare nurses for advanced practice careers such as those as nurse practitioners, leaders or administrators. The RN to MSN program may also provide students with a BSN degree in addition to an MSN, and in much less time than a direct-entry BSN and traditional MSN program. The RN to MSN program at Thomas Edison State University offers self-paced learning so students can complete a combined BSN and MSN degree program on their own schedules.

Learn more about New Jersey RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Trenton, NJ

Advanced practice nursing degree programs, such as the traditional MSN, post-master’s certificate programs or DNP programs, allow nurses to secure jobs at the highest level of nursing. These programs prepare nurses for careers as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse leaders, administrators, educators and more.

MSN Programs

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program allows nurses to specialize their study in a given area of advanced practice nursing such as family medicine, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing or administration. The College of New Jersey offers MSN programs in a variety of nurse practitioner specializations, including adult/gerontology, family medicine, and neonatal nursing, as well as a clinical nurse leader specialization.

Learn more about New Jersey Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-master’s certificate programs are designed for nurses with their MSN degree who would like to learn a new specialty. For example, Thomas Edison State University offers graduate certificate programs for nurses interested in learning the nurse educator specialty, which includes three theory courses and two practicum courses.

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

DNP Programs

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree provides nurses with the highest level of nursing practice education. The DNP program at Thomas Edison State University is an online program that can be completed in as little as 18 months and includes coursework in advanced practice nursing, organizational leadership, finance and economics, healthcare policy and technology.

Learn more about New Jersey DNP Programs.