Your Guide to the Best Online RN to BSN Programs in NJ

Unpacking Online RN to BSN Programs in New Jersey

All online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey offer current registered nurses the opportunity to obtain their bachelor’s degree and advance their nursing careers through the convenience of online study.

However, each program does so in its own way through differences in academic emphasis and content delivery methods. Therefore, it’s important that you fully review all aspects of any program you’re considering before you enroll.

With that said, there are a number of common program elements to all New Jersey online RN to BSN programs. For example, most feature fully-online didactic coursework delivered primarily in an asynchronous format that allows students to access and complete course requirements at any time.

Most programs also include in-person clinical practice experiences. Others can be completed 100% online with no in-person requirements of any kind.

Here are spotlights of three current online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey to give you a better idea of how individual programs work.

Key Questions for Prospective RN to BSN Online Students

The spotlights above provide a good look at how individual New Jersey online RN to BSN programs work, but they’ve likely raised several questions for you about RN to BSN programs in general. The following five FAQs will help you in answering some of those questions.

How much do online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey cost?

As indicated by the figures quoted in the program spotlights above and three programs listed below, the costs of online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey vary from program to program. In general, most students can expect a preliminary program cost in the neighborhood of $10,000 to $15,000.

It’s very important to keep in mind, however, that your total RN to BSN program price tag could be much lower once you take into account any and all financial aid resources available. Common forms of financial aid include:

• Scholarships and grants
• Tuition discounts and deferment and installment plans
• Employer tuition reimbursement
• Student loans

Be sure to contact the financial aid office at each school you’re considering to get the most up-to-date information available on funding opportunities to help pay for your New Jersey RN to BSN education.

Eastern International College

RN to BSN Completion

Total Credits: 90 quarter credits

$262/credit

Thomas Edison State University

RN to BSN

Total Credits: Varies

$311/credit

Rutgers University School of Nursing–Camden

RN to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing

Total Credits: 33

$580/credit

What should I look for in a quality RN to BSN program in New Jersey?

There are a number of things you can look for during your search of online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey to indicate you’ll be getting a quality education, starting with:

• Program approval by the New Jersey Board of Nursing
• Proper institutional and programmatic accreditation

Proper accreditation is your way of knowing that the RN to BSN program you’re interested in has met important standards of academic quality.

Institutional accreditation in the U.S. is administered by a number of Department of Education recognized independent regional and national accrediting agencies. Programmatic education of RN to BSN programs in the U.S. is handled by two primary accreditors:

• Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Current accreditation information can usually be found on school and program websites. You can also check accreditation status using this Department of Education search engine.

Beyond BON approval and proper accreditation, look for RN to BSN programs that best suit your academic and career goals as well as your personal study style and preferences.

What are the admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in New Jersey?

Admission requirements for New Jersey RN to BSN programs vary somewhat from program to program, so be sure you have a clear understanding of the specific requirements for any program you’re interested in before you apply.

Generally speaking, you can expect all RN to BSN programs to require the following for admission:

• Active and unencumbered RN license. Some schools limit admission to applicants with a New Jersey-issued license.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or (for some programs) nursing diploma from an accredited nursing program
• Minimum cumulative GPA on coursework transferred into the program

You may also need to pass a criminal background check and drug screening. But you likely already have that covered as a requirement for employment in your current RN job.

What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an RN to BSN program in New Jersey?

The focus of practically all RN to BSN programs is on providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully take on leadership and management roles in the nursing/healthcare field. This is borne out by the topics covered in the courses making up core RN to BSN curriculums, including:

• Leadership and administration
• Nursing theory
• Research methods
• Public/community health and policy
• Information technology and management
• Legal/ethical issues in nursing practice

A small number of clinical practice courses are also often included covering such topics as advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and health assessment.

How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in New Jersey?

Program lengths for online RN to BSN programs vary due primarily to:

• Specific program requirements
• Number of credits needed to be earned in the program by the individual student
• Student’s chosen study pace (full-time, part-time, self-paced)

Students enrolled full-time in online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey typically complete all program requirements in anywhere from 10 to 18 months. Students opting for part-time or self-paced study typically complete their programs in 18 months to two years (sometimes longer).

Be sure to consult with a program representative for any program you’re interested in if you have any concerns about whether you can complete a program in the time allowed as accommodations may be available.

Pay Comparison & Career Pathways: RN vs. BSN

There are pros and cons to each type of credential (diploma, ADN, BSN) leading to an RN career. But getting your BSN can mean opening up whole new areas of the nursing profession to you, especially when it comes to roles in leadership and management.

Registered nurses in New Jersey who possess a nursing bachelor’s can also expect a major boost in their salaries as well.

According to ZipRecruiter, for example, as of January 2026, RNs with a BSN degree earn on average nearly $104,000 a year. That’s over 14% higher than the approximately $89,000 average annual salary earned by New Jersey RNs in general.

These are, of course, average salaries. What you actually earn in your RN job will depend on several factors, the most influential being:

• Your specific employer, job title, and job duties
• You job's geographic location
• Your individual level of professional RN experience

As for career potential, the market for RNs in New Jersey remains strong. This is evidenced by recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Projection Central website which lists a projected job growth rate of 6.3% for RNs in New Jersey between 2022 and 2032, over twice the projected growth rate for all U.S. jobs during the same period.

New Jersey’s Leading Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs

We’ve surveyed the current field of online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey and determined what we believe to be the best of the lot, which we’ve ranked below. Our selections were made by taking into account several important program components including, among others:

• Accreditation
• Affordability (including financial aid availability)
• Availability of online options
• Access to useful student support services.

Click the “About the ranking” button to learn more on our rankings methodology.