Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey
- 41
- Schools
- $52,358
- Avg. Earnings
- 47%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,591
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,408
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $34,241 at the low end to $74,479 at the top. That 2.2× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Middlesex College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $46,861 against $2,288 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Middlesex College, at $2,288 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: The College of New Jersey graduates 86% of its students, well above the 47% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor County College of Morris: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Ramapo College of New Jersey ($67,541 earnings), not the highest earner, Rutgers University-Camden ($74,479). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Middlesex College ($2,288/yr) and Felician University ($40,045/yr) produce graduates earning $46,861 and $57,602 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $37,757 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Middlesex College outperforms Rutgers University-Camden: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Middlesex College and The College of New Jersey. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $53K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ramapo College of New Jersey #1 overall | $67,541 ▲ +29% vs avg | $18,173 | 71% | 82 |
| 2 Georgian Court University #2 overall | $53,096 ▲ +1% vs avg | $19,285 | 54% | 82 |
| 3 Saint Peter's University #3 overall | $57,815 ▲ +10% vs avg | $12,199 | 61% | 81 |
| $53,843 ▲ +3% vs avg | $24,691 | 58% | 81 | |
| $57,780 ▲ +10% vs avg | $18,745 | 46% | 81 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey
This analysis ranks 41 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $52,358 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 47% and an average net price of $15,591.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Middlesex College — Net Price: $2,288 | Graduation Rate: 34%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: The College of New Jersey — 86% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Rutgers University-Camden — Median alumni earnings: $74,479
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$53,038
Median earnings (10yr)
43%
Median graduation rate
$12,447
Median net price
2.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Health-professions programs sit at the center of one of the country’s most acute labor stories. An aging population and chronic shortages in nursing and allied health mean these programs are, in effect, staffing the health system. The schools that rise here pair classroom training with real clinical placements and strong licensure pass rates. That pairing is the difference between holding a credential and holding a job.
Start with the medians across these 41 schools. Graduates earn a median of $53,038 ten years after enrollment, or about $5,038 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 43%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $12,447 a year with about $20,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 39% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.4%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Ramapo College of New Jersey tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $53,038 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Ramapo College of New Jersey lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,541 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,173 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Georgian Court University lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $53,096 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Saint Peter's University lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $57,815 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,199 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Caldwell University lands at #4 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $53,843 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,691 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
William Paterson University of New Jersey lands at #5 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,780 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Salem Community College lands at #6 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $38,020 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,816 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
The College of New Jersey lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $73,323 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,646 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Seton Hall University lands at #8 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $70,196 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,446 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Felician University lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $57,602 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,045 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Atlantic Cape Community College lands at #10 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,241 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,392 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Raritan Valley Community College lands at #11 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $48,145 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,778 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Saint Elizabeth University lands at #12 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,038 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,125 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Hudson County Community College lands at #13 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $34,333 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,307 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Monmouth University lands at #14 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $67,991 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,988 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Rutgers University-Camden lands at #15 with a 77/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Mercer County Community College lands at #16 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $43,264 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,279 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey lands at #17 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,595 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,257 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Camden County College lands at #18 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,212 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,996 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Kean University lands at #19 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,237 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,447 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
New Jersey City University lands at #20 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $52,745 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,053 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Rowan University lands at #21 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,988 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,408 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
County College of Morris lands at #22 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,243 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,895 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Warren County Community College lands at #23 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $43,359 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,726 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Bergen Community College lands at #24 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,624 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,345 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Middlesex College lands at #25 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $46,861 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Montclair State University lands at #26 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $61,415 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,566 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Passaic County Community College lands at #27 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $36,972 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,761 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Brookdale Community College lands at #28 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $44,379 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,231 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Ocean County College lands at #29 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,210 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,411 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Sussex County Community College lands at #30 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $44,664 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,859 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Stockton University lands at #31 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,602 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,670 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus lands at #32 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $41,751 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Centenary University lands at #33 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,726 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,503 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Rutgers University-New Brunswick lands at #34 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,406 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Rider University lands at #35 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $62,208 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,792 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Rowan College at Burlington County lands at #36 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,745 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,344 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus lands at #37 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,751 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,378 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Teaneck, NJ · 91% accepted · $15,404 net
Why it ranks #38
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus lands at #38 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $57,273 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,404 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Essex County College lands at #39 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $37,230 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,436 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Madison, NJ · 95% accepted · $22,829 net
Why it ranks #40
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus lands at #40 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $57,273 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,829 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Bloomfield, NJ · 70% accepted · $28,014 net
Why it ranks #41
Bloomfield College of Montclair State University lands at #41 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $61,415 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,014 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 41 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing college can be daunting, especially with so many options available in New Jersey. With 39 nursing programs statewide, aspiring nurses can find a fit that meets their needs and career goals. Focusing on outcomes like graduation rates, earnings, and student debt can help make this decision clearer.
What sets the best nursing colleges apart are strong outcomes that indicate not just academic success, but also long-term financial stability. The schools listed below reflect a balance of good graduation rates, earning potential after graduation, and manageable debt levels. These metrics are vital for anyone considering a nursing career, as they speak to the return on investment in education.
For example, Rutgers University-Camden stands out with average earnings of $74,479 and a graduation rate of 67%. In contrast, Salem Community College has significantly lower average earnings at $38,020 and a graduation rate of just 39%. This contrast highlights the importance of selecting a program that not only supports students through graduation but also positions them for higher earnings in their career post-graduation.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 30 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Saint Peter's University leads the group at 5.5%, with New Jersey City University (5.3%) and Hudson County Community College (4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Hudson County Community College enrolls the most, at 36.3%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 23.8% across the list, peaking at 49.9% at The College of New Jersey.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Monmouth University is highest at 1.84.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Looking closely at the data, we see a significant difference between Rutgers University-Camden and UCNJ Union College of Union County. While Rutgers graduates earn an impressive $74,479 on average, students from UCNJ earn only $41,595. This gap of nearly $33,000 highlights the impact of program quality and employer demand on post-graduation earnings.
As you sift through these options, consider your priorities. Location might matter if you want to stay close to home, while program specifics could sway your choice if you have a particular nursing specialty in mind. Additionally, think about financial factors like net price and potential debt; a lower-cost program might be appealing if you're aiming to minimize student loans.
The implications of these decisions are significant for your future. Choosing a nursing college with a solid graduation rate and high earning potential could mean the difference between financial stability and struggle after graduation. For families making this choice, it’s about more than just education; it’s about laying down the foundation for a secure life ahead.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey ranking? +
Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah, NJ ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $67,541 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 71% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Rutgers University-Camden posts the highest median earnings on this list: $74,479 ten years after enrollment, well above the $52,358 average across the 41 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Middlesex College leads: graduates earn a median $46,861 against net price of about $2,288 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
The College of New Jersey has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 86%, compared with a 47% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,591 a year across the 41 ranked schools with cost data. Middlesex College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,288. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 41 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
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