Most Affordable Nursing Programs in New Jersey (2026)
9 nursing programs at New Jersey schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is Lincoln College of Technology's LPN (Practical Nursing) at $18,000 total. Online programs from 41 more out-of-state schools also enroll New Jersey residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for New Jersey tuition
- Tuition at New Jersey schools and campuses ranges from $18,000 to $180,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Partner programs in New Jersey.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
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Compare tuition and financial aid for New Jersey nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln College of TechnologyLPN (Practical Nursing)On Campus · 11 months | On Campus | 11 mo | $18,000 |
| Seton Hall UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $22,500 |
| Lincoln College of TechnologyADNOn Campus · 21 months | On Campus | 21 mo | $32,000 |
| Seton Hall UniversityMSN — Nursing EducationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $42,000 |
| Seton Hall UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months | Hybrid | 24 mo | $52,500 |
| Felician UniversityAccelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)Hybrid · 16 months | Hybrid | 16 mo | $59,965 |
| Seton Hall UniversityDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $72,000 |
| Drexel UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $72,000 |
| Seton Hall UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $180,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to New Jersey residents
These schools are based outside New Jersey but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,200 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in New Jersey
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in New Jersey is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, New Jersey state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At New Jersey’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for New Jersey Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
New Jersey requires a collaborative agreement for at least one practice element. NPs can still practice broadly but cannot fully prescribe independently.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for New Jersey nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in New Jersey often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving New Jersey include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. New Jersey is a reduced-practice state: nurse practitioners must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another health provider for at least one element of practice (often prescriptive authority), which limits fully independent practice.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in New Jersey
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in New Jersey
New Jersey is a reduced-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in New Jersey
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in New Jersey.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in New Jersey?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in New Jersey with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in New Jersey as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in New Jersey?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in New Jersey?
Compare nursing programs in New Jersey
- All nursing programs in New Jersey
- Online nursing programs in New JerseyPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in New JerseyPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in New JerseySecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in New Jersey
- ADN programs in New JerseyAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in New JerseyFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.