The nursing profession is projected to grow substantially over the coming decades, and it seems more appealing than ever to enter this rewarding field. However, in a tough economic climate, it’s important to understand all the elements of financing an education. School enrollment carriers a number of important costs, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and day-to-day living expenses.

These costs depend on a variety of factors. First is program length. A certificate program is shorter than an associate’s degree program, which is shorter than a bachelor’s degree program – and shorter programs require fewer semesters of tuition. Second is the type of institution. Public institutions, such as community colleges and state universities, charge significantly lower tuition and fees. Location also matters. Living and studying in a more urbanized area tends to mean higher room and board, as well as higher living expenses.

All these factors affect the costs of nursing school, but is the educational investment worth it? This depends on how much one earns after completing school. For example, New Jersey’s licensed practical nurses earn a median annual salary of $52,810. The state’s RNs earn $77,380 per year on average, and RNs with a bachelor’s degree typical earn top-quartile annual pay of $89,430 or more. These salary figures can help you make an informed evaluation of the return on investment from a nursing education.

If you’re interested in further exploring the costs and ROI of a New Jersey nursing education, we hope you find the list below helpful. We’ve calculated the all-in cost of attendance for a number of the state’s nursing programs.

Camden / Philadelphia suburbs

Lincoln Technical Institute - Moorestown
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $28,345, books and supplies $0, room and board $12,324
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Lincoln Technical Institute - Moorestown Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $28,345

Edison / New Brunswick area

Lincoln Technical Institute - Iselin
Certificate in Practical Nursing (13-month program): tuition and fees $28,054, books and supplies $0, room and board $13,351
Ocean County Vocational Technical School
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $9,845, books and supplies $1,873, room and board $19,800
Monmouth County Vocational School District
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $8,500, books and supplies $2,500, room and board $12,595
Nursing Assistant Certificate (6-month program): tuition and fees $950, books and supplies $300
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Lincoln Technical Institute - Iselin Certificate in Practical Nursing 13 months $28,054
Ocean County Vocational Technical School Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $9,845
Monmouth County Vocational School District Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $8,500
Nursing Assistant Certificate 6 months $950

New York City suburbs

Eastern International College - Jersey City
Associate Degree in Nursing (24-month program): tuition and fees $45,000, books and supplies $6,000
Lincoln Technical Institute - Paramus
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $28,054, books and supplies $0, room and board $12,324
Jersey College - Teterboro
Associate Degree in Nursing (15-month program): tuition and fees $24,005, books and supplies $2,525
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $21,400, books and supplies $2,200, room and board $12,324
Eastwick College - Hackensack
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $18,000, books and supplies $5,900, room and board $3,636
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Bilingual) (12-month program): tuition and fees $18,000, books and supplies $5,900, room and board $3,636
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Eastern International College - Jersey City Associate Degree in Nursing 24 months $45,000
Lincoln Technical Institute - Paramus Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $28,054
Jersey College - Teterboro Associate Degree in Nursing 15 months $24,005
Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $21,400
Eastwick College - Hackensack Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $18,000
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Bilingual) 12 months $18,000

Newark

Eastern International College - Belleville
Associate Degree in Nursing (24-month program): tuition and fees $45,000, books and supplies $6,000
Best Care College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (13-month program): tuition and fees $12,953, books and supplies $3,427, room and board $9,688
Morris County School of Technology
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $8,594, books and supplies $1,000, room and board $5,796
Healthcare Training Institute
Nursing Assistant Certificate (3-month program): tuition and fees $3,700, books and supplies $160
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Eastern International College - Belleville Associate Degree in Nursing 24 months $45,000
Best Care College Certificate in Practical Nursing 13 months $12,953
Morris County School of Technology Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $8,594
Healthcare Training Institute Nursing Assistant Certificate 3 months $3,700

Trenton

Jersey College - Ewing
Associate Degree in Nursing (15-month program): tuition and fees $24,005, books and supplies $2,525
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $21,400, books and supplies $2,200, room and board $12,324
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Jersey College - Ewing Associate Degree in Nursing 15 months $24,005
Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $21,400
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New Jersey