2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New Jersey
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Camden County College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $76,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Essex County College one of the best values for registered nursing. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $70,500. Set against $20,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #3. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $18,631 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $74,795. That is a strong return on a $18,631 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $17,506 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $92,941. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Burlington County College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,450. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,796. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Warren County Community College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $22,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $82,020. Set against $19,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $82,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $71,929. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
Brookdale Community College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $19,366 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $80,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,366 median debt.
County College Of Morris landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $73,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $28,957. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $76,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,418. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $82,925. Set against $22,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Jersey City University landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,000. Registered Nursing graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $90,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $104,219. Set against $27,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Saint Peters College placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,457 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $108,494. That is a strong return on a $24,457 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Salem Community College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Salem Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carneys Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,395 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $74,062. That is a strong return on a $25,395 median debt.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $107,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Gloucester County College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Sewell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $71,929. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $109,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $108,083. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Saint Elizabeth came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $100,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Elizabeth admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
