The Rutgers School of Nursing traces its roots to the Rutgers College of Nursing established in 1956 in Newark and has grown into the largest and most comprehensive public nursing program in New Jersey. Since the 2013 integration of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey into Rutgers, the school has operated as part of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, giving students direct access to affiliated hospitals, clinical partners, and interprofessional research. It is widely recognized for its strong NCLEX pass rates, nationally ranked graduate programs, and NIH-funded research in health disparities, symptom science, and population health.
The school delivers education across Newark, Camden, and New Brunswick, with undergraduate students typically beginning on a Rutgers campus before entering the nursing major. The student body is notably diverse, reflecting New Jersey's urban populations, and the curriculum emphasizes culturally responsive care, simulation-based learning, and extensive clinical placements. Students benefit from a wide range of options including traditional BSc, accelerated second-degree, RN-to-BS, master's, DNP, and PhD pathways, supported by active student nursing organizations and strong regional employer relationships.
| Type | Public Research |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Total students | 3,000 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 10:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 40% |
| Graduation rate | 85% |
| Average starting salary | $78,000 |
| In-state tuition | $17,500 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $35,000 |
| Room & board | $15,500 |
| Average financial aid | $14,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 75% |
| SAT range | 1150-1350 |
| ACT range | 24-30 |
| Average GPA | 3.6 |
| Regular deadline | December 1 (university); nursing major requires separate program application |
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.