New Jersey's registered nurses earn a median salary of $106,500 a year, roughly $31,000 more than the $75,160 median for LPNs in the state. That gap is the reason so many licensed practical nurses start looking at bridge programs the moment they've logged a year or two on the floor.
The jump isn't automatic, though. Seat availability is tight, prerequisite coursework varies by school, and NCLEX-RN pass rates swing widely between programs, which is why the rankings below are ordered by first-time pass rate, with program completion and ACEN accreditation status used to break ties.
The ranked list leads into ADN versus BSN tracks, realistic timelines, tuition, online formats, admissions, licensure, and where the salary math actually lands once you're working as an RN.
Top LPN to RN/BSN Programs in New Jersey by NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are the most meaningful quality signal for a bridge program, because they follow the specific cohort of LPNs who actually sat for the exam rather than the general reputation of the college around it. This list orders New Jersey LPN to RN and LPN to BSN pathways by first-time pass performance across the most recent reporting years. Program-level earnings are not yet published for these bridge tracks, so each card sticks to what is documented: format, accreditation, completion, cost, and licensure outcomes.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates first
- Retention and student-faculty ratios
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program accreditation status
- Net price and program cost
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester
Rowan College of South Jersey's Gloucester campus runs an ACEN-accredited LPN-RN Track that awards an Associate in Applied Science and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The track lives inside the college's selective-admission nursing division, where a candidate may apply to only one program per cycle and submit a portfolio to only one campus. An Inspira Health collaboration gives Gloucester and Cumberland students priority access to clinical placements, and a 3+1 pathway with Rowan University lets graduates keep moving toward a BSN.
- ACEN accredited; graduates eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN
- Requires an active PN license and graduation from an accredited PN program
- A.A.S. degree combining general education with nursing coursework
- Fall 2026 portfolio cycle closed September 11; decisions in October
- Applicants may apply to only one selective-admission program per cycle
- Portfolio may be submitted to only one RCSJ campus per cycle
- Inspira Health collaboration gives students priority clinical placement
- 3+1 pathway with Rowan University for continuing to a BSN
Nursing LPN-RN Track, Associates — On-Campus
Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus
The Cumberland campus in Vineland offers the same ACEN-accredited LPN-RN Track as RCSJ's Gloucester location, awarding an A.A.S. and NCLEX-RN eligibility. Cohorts stay small and instruction is campus-based, which suits LPNs who want more faculty contact while they keep working. Because a portfolio can go to only one Rowan College of South Jersey campus per cycle, Cumberland is a deliberate first choice rather than a backup, and students share the same Inspira Health clinical priority and Rowan University 3+1 transfer route.
- ACEN accredited; prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure
- Requires a current PN license and an accredited PN program
- A.A.S. degree with general education and nursing coursework
- Campus-based cohorts with small class sizes
- Fall admission with a winter-spring start
- Priority clinical experience through an Inspira Health partnership
- Portfolio may go to only one RCSJ campus per admissions cycle
- 3+1 pathway with Rowan University toward a BSN
LPN-RN Track, Associates — On-Campus
Ocean County College
Ocean County College's Career Mobility Nursing Program is built around a credit-by-exam challenge that lets licensed LPNs test out of Nursing I and enter Nursing II, trimming the associate degree to three semesters. Admission requires an active New Jersey LPN license, at least six months of current employment, a passing TEAS score, and a criminal background check. Nursing II and later books are folded into tuition, and graduates leave ready for the NCLEX-RN and RN roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care.
- Test out of Nursing I and enter directly into Nursing II
- Three-semester path to an associate degree in nursing
- Requires a New Jersey LPN license and six months of current employment
- Passing TEAS score, criminal background check, and challenge exam required
- $1,000 credit-by-exam fee applies
- Minimum 2.7 GPA required
- Nursing II and later books are included in tuition
- Leads to RN licensure in New Jersey
Career Mobility Nursing Program (LPN to RN), Associates — On-Campus
Salem Community College
Salem Community College's LPN to RN Bridge leads to an Associate in Science and carries both ACEN accreditation and New Jersey Board of Nursing approval. The curriculum pairs general education with nursing theory and clinical experience built around QSEN competencies, and the college notes that its nursing credentials also satisfy licensure requirements in Delaware, which matters for students near the state line. For graduates continuing on, Salem holds an RN-to-BSN transfer agreement with Aspen University that includes a tuition discount.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing
- Associate in Science degree; graduates eligible for the NCLEX-RN
- Curriculum integrates QSEN competencies with clinical experience
- Meets licensure requirements in both New Jersey and Delaware
- 2027-2028 Nursing Portfolio admissions open September 1, 2026
- RN-to-BSN transfer agreement with Aspen University
- 10% tuition discount for SCC nursing graduates continuing to a BSN
- Financial aid available
LPN to RN Bridge Program, Associates — On-Campus
Mercer County Community College
Mercer County Community College's LPN-RN Advanced Placement option honors the license students already hold, awarding six credits for the fundamentals course so they step straight into advanced nursing coursework. Admission calls for a valid New Jersey LPN license, an accredited LPN diploma, a 2.5 GPA, and a passing HESI score, with seats offered on a space-available basis. Graduates earn an Associate in Science and become eligible for the NCLEX-RN, and the college is a commuter-friendly option in the Trenton-Princeton corridor.
- Six credits awarded for the LPN license (nursing fundamentals)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA and passing HESI score required
- Valid New Jersey LPN license and accredited LPN diploma required
- Associate in Science degree; eligible for the NCLEX-RN
- Admission is on a space available basis
- Coursework covers health alterations, mental health, and clinical judgment
- Minimum grade of C required in nursing courses
- Prerequisite courses required
LPN-RN Advanced Placement, Associates — On-Campus
Middlesex College
Middlesex College runs a full-time LPN to RN program that starts in summer and moves through fall and spring, completing roughly one year of study toward an associate degree in nursing and NCLEX-RN eligibility. Current LPNs can claim eight prior learning credits, plus two more for a C or better in a professional nursing course, and clinicals meet during the day in facilities across Middlesex County. The program holds provisional approval from the New Jersey Board of Nursing, and its graduates go on to employers such as Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health.
- Full-time program completed in about one year (62 credits)
- Starts in summer and runs through fall and spring semesters
- Eight prior learning credits awarded for a current LPN license
- Two additional credits for a C or better in a professional nursing course
- Provisional accreditation from the New Jersey Board of Nursing
- Daytime clinical courses only
- Employer connections include Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health
- Applications opened in August 2026 for the next cohort
LPN to RN Program, Associates — On-Campus
Brookdale Community College
Brookdale Community College routes LPNs into its A.A.S. nursing program through an Advanced Placement Challenge Process held in Summer I. Candidates clear a math test, skills validation, simulation, and orientation, then earn 11 credits for three nursing courses before joining NURS 126 and NURS 111 in a fall or spring cohort. The program is ACEN accredited, prepares students for the NCLEX-RN, and gives Monmouth County LPNs a campus-based route with hands-on clinical practice.
- ACEN accredited; prepares students for the NCLEX-RN
- Challenge Process held in Summer I
- Math test, skills validation, simulation, and orientation required
- Earn 11 credits toward the A.A.S. for three nursing courses
- Entrance exam required
- After the challenge, complete NURS 126 and NURS 111
- Admission to a fall or spring cohort
- Accelerated challenge pathway designed for New Jersey LPNs
Advanced Placement Challenge Process (LPN to RN), Associates — On-Campus
Raritan Valley Community College
Raritan Valley Community College's ACEN-accredited LPN to RN Bridge opens with a summer transition course that builds on skills students already use at the bedside, then runs three semesters across adult health, psychiatric mental health, childbearing families, and pediatric nursing. Entry calls for a 2.8 GPA and a passing TEAS score, and day or evening scheduling helps working LPNs stay employed. The college advertises a seamless transfer to Kean University for a BSN and prioritizes Somerset and Hunterdon county residents.
- ACEN accredited; three-semester program (68 credits)
- Summer transition course builds on existing LPN skills
- Clinicals span adult health, mental health, childbearing families, pediatrics
- Minimum 2.8 GPA and passing TEAS score
- Day or evening scheduling options
- Priority admission for Somerset and Hunterdon county residents
- Seamless transfer to Kean University for a BSN
LPN to RN Nursing Bridge Program, Associates — On-Campus
Passaic County Community College
Passaic County Community College's LPN Mobility Program is offered only at the Paterson campus, admitting LPNs each spring with an application deadline of February 1. Students clear the NACE Foundations of Nursing exam to demonstrate prior learning, finish prerequisites in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, psychology, and composition, then move into advanced nursing coursework and clinicals. The program is ACEN accredited and prepares graduates for RN licensure in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care.
- ACEN accredited LPN Mobility track
- NACE Foundations of Nursing exam demonstrates prior learning
- Admits each spring in May; application deadline February 1
- Offered only at the Paterson campus
- Prerequisites in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, psychology, and composition
- LPN license required for admission
- Prepares graduates for RN licensure and the NCLEX-RN
- One letter of recommendation required (minimum)
LPN Mobility Program, Associates — On-Campus
Camden County College
Camden County College's LPN to RN program is a 60-credit associate sequence with day and evening options, so working LPNs can fit study around shift schedules. Lectures and labs meet at the Joint Health Sciences Center in Camden, and clinical rotations span hospitals, hospice, long-term care, home health, and rehabilitation settings. The program is accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and ACEN, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
- Accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and ACEN
- 60-credit associate degree sequence
- TEAS entrance exam and prerequisite courses required
- Day and evening options available
- Lectures and labs at the Joint Health Sciences Center in Camden
- Clinical rotations in hospitals, hospice, long-term care, and home health
- Eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN on completion
- Two concentration options
LPN to RN, Associates — On-Campus
LPN to ADN vs. LPN to BSN: Choosing the Right Bridge Path
New Jersey LPNs weighing the jump to RN licensure have two main bridge routes, each with distinct trade-offs in time, cost, and long-term career positioning. The ADN path is faster and more affordable, while the BSN path meets the growing preference among NJ hospitals pursuing Magnet Recognition. Many community colleges also maintain ADN-to-BSN articulation agreements with four-year institutions, so the ADN route can still lead to a bachelor's degree without starting over.
How Long Does It Take to Go From LPN to RN in New Jersey?
Can you really finish an LPN-to-RN bridge in New Jersey in six months? Honestly, no, not at any Accredited LPN and RN Programs in New Jersey we can verify. The "6 month LPN to RN program NJ" search phrase reflects a hope, not a reality. The fastest catalog-verified nursing portion in the state runs about 12 months, consistent with the Fastest LPN/LVN Programs of 2026, and even that assumes prerequisites are already done.
Realistic Full-Time Timelines
Here is what actual NJ programs look like once you are admitted:
- LPN-to-ADN (accelerated): Middlesex College runs a three-semester Career Mobility Program, roughly 12 months for the nursing sequence, ending in an ADN and NCLEX-RN eligibility.
- LPN-to-ADN (standard bridge): RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing lists 15 months for nursing coursework. Jersey College's LPN-to-RN Bridge ranges from 15 to 33 months depending on track, schedule, and whether you enter with advanced placement.
- LPN-to-BSN: Berkeley College's Beginner Pathway runs eight semesters, and its Accelerated Pathway (for LPNs with at least 2,080 documented clinical hours in the past two years) runs seven semesters. Both land in the 3 to 3.5 year range, not one year.
Part-time or evening tracks typically stretch total completion to 24 to 36 months, particularly for BSN routes.
What Actually Moves the Timeline
Four factors decide whether you finish closer to 12 months or closer to 30:
- Prerequisite status: Anatomy, microbiology, English, and psychology often must be complete before the nursing sequence starts. Missing prereqs can add a full year.
- Credit transfer: How generously a program accepts your LPN coursework and prior college credit directly shortens (or lengthens) the bridge.
- Clinical placement capacity: Cohort size is capped by hospital clinical slots, which can push start dates back a semester.
- Waitlists: Popular low-cost community college programs on the Best LPN Programs in New Jersey 2026 list frequently seat students a year or more after application.
Accelerated formats almost always require full-time enrollment, summer terms, and a clear prerequisite transcript before day one. If any of those are missing, plan on a longer runway.
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Tuition and Cost Comparison for NJ LPN-to-RN Programs
The table below compares estimated program costs for New Jersey LPN-to-RN bridge programs, sorted from lowest to highest average net price. Net price figures are institution-wide averages after financial aid (sourced from IPEDS and College Scorecard, 2024) and may not reflect the exact amount an individual bridge student pays. Median graduate debt is included where available to give you a realistic sense of what borrowing may look like. Private institutions such as Berkeley College carry significantly higher sticker prices, so weigh total cost carefully against program length and the credential you will earn.
| School | City | Published In-State Tuition | Published Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price (After Aid) | Median Graduate Debt | Degree Earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg | $7,584 | $7,584 | $6,778 | $10,500 | ADN |
| Passaic County Community College | Paterson | $8,400 | $10,560 | $7,761 | $7,536 | ADN |
| Atlantic Cape Community College | Mays Landing | $6,972 | $8,350 | $8,392 | $9,500 | ADN |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus | $8,894 | $9,294 | $10,345 | $12,000 | ADN |
| Rowan College of South Jersey, Cumberland Campus | Vineland | $6,000 | $6,000 | $10,562 | $12,000 | ADN |
| Salem Community College | Carneys Point | $7,380 | $10,260 | $10,816 | $9,500 | ADN |
| Brookdale Community College | Lincroft | $9,390 | $10,140 | $11,231 | $12,000 | ADN |
| Rowan College of South Jersey, Gloucester Campus | Sewell | $6,000 | $6,000 | $12,378 | $12,000 | ADN |
| Berkeley College, Woodland Park | Woodland Park | $28,320 | $28,320 | $27,100 | $23,251 | BSN |
Online and Hybrid LPN to RN Options in New Jersey
Fully online bridge programs and traditional on-campus tracks serve very different schedules, and understanding which format a school actually offers can save you months of planning. In New Jersey, most LPN-to-RN bridge programs are delivered primarily on campus or in the evening, with limited verified online didactic options as of 2026.
What NJ Schools Currently Offer
The majority of in-state LPN-to-RN pathways hold classes on site. Jersey College runs its bridge program at its Ewing and Teterboro campuses with day and evening scheduling but has not published an online didactic track. Raritan Valley Community College offers community college nursing programs, and its LPN-to-RN bridge is a full-time, in-person sequence beginning with a summer transitions course. RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing offers an evening LPN-to-RN track, though its materials do not confirm any online coursework component. Middlesex College opened registration for its LPN-to-RN program in August 2026, but delivery details were not yet available at the time of this writing. If online flexibility matters to you, confirm directly with each admissions office before applying.
Out-of-State Online Programs With NJ Clinical Sites
Herzing University offers an LPN-to-ASN and LPN-to-BSN bridge with core didactic coursework delivered entirely online. The program includes eight clinical courses, seven of which involve precepted hours arranged in or near the student's home area. This model can work for New Jersey LPNs, though securing a clinical site and preceptor in your region is your responsibility in many cases. Regardless of which online program you choose, all clinical hours must be completed in person at approved facilities.
Synchronous, Asynchronous, and Exam Formats
When evaluating any hybrid or online program, ask these questions:
- Lecture format: Are sessions live (synchronous) at set times, or recorded (asynchronous) so you can watch on your own schedule?
- Exam proctoring: Does the school require proctored exams at a testing center, or are assessments taken at home with remote monitoring software?
- Clinical scheduling: Can you complete clinicals on weekends or evenings to accommodate your current LPN shifts?
Working LPNs benefit most from asynchronous lectures paired with flexible clinical rotations. Always verify that any out-of-state online program holds proper accreditation and that the New Jersey Board of Nursing will accept the credential for RN licensure.
Admission Requirements for NJ LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs
Admission criteria vary by school, so review each program's latest checklist carefully. The requirements below reflect common expectations across New Jersey's bridge programs, with program-specific details where available.
- Active, unencumbered New Jersey LPN licenseEvery NJ bridge program requires proof of a valid, current practical nursing license. Passaic County Community College and Brookdale Community College both list this as a front-line requirement, and you should plan to submit a copy with your application.
- Minimum GPAGPA thresholds differ by school. Bergen Community College sets a 2.50 minimum for admissions eligibility, and science prerequisites must carry at least a C. At Passaic County Community College, your practical nursing transcript grades must be B or higher, while general college-level courses require a C or above. Brookdale similarly requires a C or better in prerequisite coursework.
- Prerequisite coursesExpect to complete core sciences, English, and math before starting nursing coursework. Bergen requires Chemistry with Lab, Biology with Lab, and Algebra, with science courses completed within the last five years. Brookdale requires English Composition, introductory Psychology, Biology, and a health science foundations course. Exact prerequisite lists vary, so confirm requirements directly with your target program.
- Entrance examPrograms use different exams rather than a single statewide standard. Passaic County Community College requires the NLN NACE I with a minimum score of 70; scores are valid for three years, and retakes are allowed only once every six months. Bergen Community College administers its own Nursing Program Admission Exam along with a basic-skills assessment. Check whether your program uses the TEAS, HESI, or another instrument, as requirements are program-specific.
- Clinical experience or patient-care credentialSome programs expect prior hands-on work. Brookdale requires candidates to have completed a course as a CNA, CHHA, PCA, or PCT before beginning their first nursing class. Other schools may ask for a minimum period of LPN practice, often around one year, so verify this with admissions directly.
- CPR/BLS certification and health clearancesStandard clinical-readiness documentation typically includes current CPR or BLS certification, up-to-date immunization records, a criminal background check, and drug screening. These are generally required before your first clinical rotation rather than at the time of application, but timelines vary.
- Official transcriptsSubmit transcripts from your LPN program and any prior college coursework. At Passaic County Community College, you also need a dated letter of recommendation from your current employer or your practical nursing program director.
New Jersey RN Licensure and NCLEX-RN Requirements
What does it actually take to turn your LPN-to-RN diploma into an active New Jersey RN license? The process runs through the New Jersey Board of Nursing, and since October 2024 the Board has accepted only online applications for US-educated first-time candidates, so the paper packet many older program guides describe no longer applies.
Application and Exam Steps
Once your LPN/LVN bridge program confirms graduation, you'll submit the online licensure application, a current color photograph, proof of identity such as a birth certificate or passport, and any name-change documentation. From there you register separately for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE, where the exam fee runs around 200 dollars. Budget separately for fingerprinting through the state's vendor, IDEMIA, which typically runs about 65 dollars, bringing many candidates' total out-of-pocket cost near 465 dollars once Board fees are included. Foreign-educated applicants face a different, generally higher fee structure and must route transcripts through CGFNS for credential evaluation before the Board will schedule them for the exam.
Background Checks and Renewal
A criminal background check is mandatory for every applicant, US- or foreign-educated. If you fail the NCLEX-RN three times in a row, the Board requires a 30-hour remediation course before a fourth attempt is authorized. Once licensed, renewal cycles are biennial and currently require 30 contact hours of continuing education, including at least one hour on opioid prescribing and one hour on implicit or explicit bias training for anyone providing care to pregnant patients. These continuing education rules have shifted in recent renewal periods, so bridge graduates should confirm current requirements directly with the Board rather than assume older coursework satisfies them.
Compact Status Matters for Mobility
As of 2026, New Jersey has enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact, meaning a multistate license lets you practice in other compact states without separate applications. That privilege comes with stricter eligibility than a single-state license, notably no felony convictions, so bridge graduates with any criminal history should verify which license type they actually qualify for before assuming compact mobility applies to them.
RN Salary and Career Outlook After Completing an LPN-to-RN Bridge in New Jersey
Completing an LPN-to-RN bridge program in New Jersey translates into a meaningful salary increase. According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the statewide median salary for RNs in New Jersey is $106,500, compared to $75,160 for LPNs, a difference of more than $31,000 per year. With over 92,000 RNs employed across the state, demand remains strong, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued growth for the profession nationally, reinforcing long-term career stability for newly licensed RNs in New Jersey.
| Role | Total Employed in NJ | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 92,680 | $99,710 | $106,500 | $127,730 | $110,100 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 17,410 | $66,890 | $75,160 | $79,980 | $74,600 |
Salary Insight
Bridging pays off.
