If you’re looking to find a BSN program in New Jersey, we’ve taken a look at NCLEX data to showcase some of the most successful programs in the state.
In this post, we’ve compiled all of the NCLEX pass rates for each undergraduate nursing program in the state from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to rank the top five schools.
Unlike other sites that use questionable methodology in their rankings, we’ve based our rankings on hard numbers so you know which programs will best prepare you to ace your NCLEX and become a Registered Nurse.
Online degrees are typically much cheaper and faster to earn than traditional degree pathways. So when you’re making your decision it’s a good idea to consider the best online BSN programs as well.
For now though, let’s look at the best BSN programs in New Jersey.
What Is The Best BSN Program in New Jersey?
The best BSN program in New Jersey is at The College of New Jersey.
This school’s NCLEX pass rate was 94.55% in 2021, the highest of any school in the state.
However, just because this school ranks number one on our list doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right school for you.
Continue reading to learn more about The College of New Jersey and other top BSN programs in New Jersey.
5 Best BSN Programs in New Jersey Ranked
The table below ranks the best BSN programs in New Jersey by 2021 NCLEX pass rates. To learn more about each school in our rankings, read on after the table.
| School | NCLEX Pass Rate (2021) |
| The College of New Jersey | 94.55% |
| Ramapo College | 93.94% |
| Seton Hall University | 92.86% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | 92.65% |
| Monmouth University School of Nursing and Health Studies | 87.50% |
1. The College of New Jersey
As we mentioned above, the best BSN program in New Jersey is The College of New Jersey with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 94.55%.
This school offers both a traditional Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing as well as an RN-to-BSN track.
The traditional BSN is a four-year program admitting post-high school students and transfer students. It features:
- State-of-the-art instruction focused on caring for people
- Preparation as to become advanced beginner practitioners of professional nursing practice
- A curriculum that includes both liberal education courses in addition to courses in nursing science and practice
Unlike a lot of other schools, the RN-to-BSN program consists of in-person instruction. The classes are held at regional healthcare institutions. It’s designed for working nurses and is typically completed in two to three years of part-time study.
According to GradReports:
- Impressively, the employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
- Median debt after graduation is $27,000 (based on 86 students)
- Median alumni salary is $72,410 (based on 84 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 73/100 salary score
esy_widget type=”listings” keyword=”Capella University” category_id=”96″ title=”Featured Online RN to BSN Degree Program at Capella University Now Accepting Applications”]
2. Ramapo College
The second school on our list of top-rated BSN programs in New Jersey is Ramapo College with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 93.94%.
There are three different pathways to get your degree at this school:
- BSN for Freshman
- BSN for Transfer Students
- RN-to-BSN
For the Freshman BSN program, you can apply through the regular admissions process. As long as you meet all the requirements, a seat in the nursing program will be reserved for you for your Junior year.
For the Transfer Student track, you must complete all of your general education requirements before enrolling in the two-year nursing curriculum.
In these pathways, nursing courses are taught on campus by the Ramapo Nursing Program faculty, while clinical courses are taught by Masters-prepared nurses at The Valley Hospital.
Finally, there is the RN-to-BSN track which is 95% online, although some on-site experiences may be required. You can complete the program at your own pace or enroll in a structured 18-month completion program.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
- Median debt after graduation is $25,300 (based on 111 students)
- Median alumni salary is $78,150 (based on 139 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 88/100 salary score
3. Seton Hall University
Third in our BSN program rankings is Seton Hall University with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 92.86%.
This school offers both a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as a Second Degree Accelerated BSN.
According to their website, Seton Hall University was New Jersey’s first BSN program. High school students can apply to the College of Nursing as long as they’ve completed at least one unit in both biology and chemistry. The program features:
- 84% of full-time faculty with Doctoral degrees
- A curriculum built on a liberal arts education
- A focus on interprofessional education preparing students for nursing practice
The Second Degree Accelerated BSN is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. It’s a 14-month, 62-credit cohort model.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
- Median debt after graduation is $24,980 (based on 251 students)
- Median alumni salary is $75,340 (based on 324 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 81/100 salary score
4. Fairleigh Dickinson University
The next school on our list of best BSN programs in New Jersey is Fairleigh Dickinson University with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 92.65%.
This program offers four different pathways to get your degree:
- Nursing BS
- Nursing BS Accelerated
- RN-to-BSN (With Associate Degree)
- RN-to-BSN (Without Associate Degree)
The traditional Nursing BS is an eight-semester program that high school students can apply to as long as they’ve completed the required high school courses and indicated potential to succeed in the nursing program.
Transfer students can also enroll in this program beginning their sophomore year of college.
The Accelerated Nursing BS is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing degree. It can be completed via a full-time 12-month or 18-month track.
If you have your Associate Degree and are a licensed RN, Fairleigh Dickinson will award a minimum of 84 credits toward your BSN, satisfying the lower-division requirements for the degree.
If you have a Diploma in Nursing and are a licensed RN, the university will award a minimum of 30 credits toward your BSN, which also satisfies the lower-division requirements for the degree.
According to GradReports:
- The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
- Median debt after graduation is $26,000 (based on 75 students)
- Median alumni salary is $78,640 (based on 82 students)
- This salary outcome earned the school a 88/100 salary score
5. Monmouth University School of Nursing and Health Studies
The final school on our list of top five BSN programs in New Jersey is Monmouth University School of Nursing and Health Studies with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 87.50%.
According to this university, they offer traditional BSN and RN-to-BSN degrees. It’s worth noting that we were unable to locate a page dedicated to the RN-to-BSN program on their website.
However, Monmouth does have an undergraduate Certificate in Gerontology. If you know you’d like to focus your nursing career on caring for elderly patients, it could be worth adding this certificate to your BSN.
Overall, this school doesn’t provide a ton of easily accessible information about their program on their website, so it’s probably best to reach out to them directly if you’re thinking about enrolling there. The NCLEX pass rates do indicate that graduates from this program are well-prepared.
Unfortunately, GradReports doesn’t have any data on undergraduate nursing outcomes for Monmouth University. However, one review on Niche had good things to say about the school:
“Monmouth has a beautiful campus and they do their best to have a connected student life. From activities on campus to many clubs to join , there are many ways to meet new people. Living on campus is extremely helpful as well , because you have the inside scoop about the campus- life and the RA’s put together a lot of activities for dorms. Monmouth provides excellent education and a wide range of sources to help you excel in the classroom. This includes great staff that is easily reachable , tutoring programs , and students who are willing to help as well.”
-Senior student (Summer 2022)
What is the Average BSN Nurse Salary in New Jersey?
The average annual salary for a Registered Nurse in New Jersey is $85,720.
The state employs a total of about 78,590 RNs.
Also worth noting is this state has the second-highest average annual salaries for Nurse Practitioners.
Therefore, if you want to be a nurse in New Jersey, it may be a good idea to attend a top-rated MSN program so you can take on more advanced nursing roles and earn a higher salary.
Is a BSN Program In New Jersey Right For You?
If you’re hoping to enroll in an in-person undergraduate nursing program in New Jersey, any of the schools we’ve talked about above should prepare you to pass the NCLEX.
However, remember that online degrees are typically more flexible and allow you to graduate faster, meaning you can save money and advance your career in nursing faster than with a traditional program.
If you’re considering an online program but you’re not sure where to begin, start your search here!
Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family.
