Bergen Community College Nursing Program Review (2026): ADN, Costs & Requirements
Public community college in Paramus, Bergen County, with an ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) nursing program (day and evening tracks) that prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN. This guide uses Bergen’s published tuition schedule (2025–26), catalog admissions rules, and Program Credentials pass-rate disclosures—confirm every detail with Bergen CC and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Bergen pairs county-based community college tuition with a single pre-licensure ADN track offered as a day cohort (fall start) or evening cohort (spring start). NCLEX outcomes on Bergen’s Program Credentials page vary by year; use that page plus New Jersey Board of Nursing quarterly RN reports to compare cohorts. Always confirm seat availability, TEAS cut scores, and clinical policies with the Division of Health Professions.
Overview & Why Students Choose Bergen Community College
Across the Hudson River from New York City, Bergen Community College’s main campus in Paramus anchors one of New Jersey’s largest community colleges. The nursing program focuses on a single pre-licensure pathway—the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in nursing—which Bergen frames as preparation for entry-level RN roles and for students who may later pursue a bachelor’s through transfer partnerships and NJ Transfer.
Bergen states that its program is approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) with continuing accreditation for the associate-degree program at Paramus. Instruction blends classroom learning with nursing skills and simulation labs; the program also references computer-assisted instruction and pediatric and adult patient simulators.
Aggregate NCLEX pass rates below come from Bergen’s Registered Nurse Program Credentials & Effectiveness page. That page notes data may include graduates from prior cycles who are first-time test takers. For quarterly first-time pass rates by school, use New Jersey Board of Nursing RN reports linked from NJCCN (NCLEX scores) and confirm with the Board.
Reasons students choose Bergen Community College
County-based tuition
Bergen County residents pay lower per-credit tuition than out-of-county and out-of-state students on the college’s published 2025–26 fee schedule—important for a two-year, credit-heavy ADN pathway.
Day or evening ADN tracks
The catalog separates a day cohort that starts each fall from an evening cohort that starts each spring, helping working students and career changers choose a schedule that fits.
Simulation & skills labs
Bergen emphasizes on-campus nursing skills laboratories and patient simulators alongside clinical placements in varied settings.
Published outcomes
The Program Credentials page lists annual NCLEX pass rates and program-completion snapshots so applicants can review recent performance before applying.
BSN transfer planning
Bergen links to transfer and articulation resources and encourages nursing students to plan early if they intend to complete a BSN after licensure.
Nursing Programs Offered
Bergen Community College’s nursing page and catalog describe one undergraduate pre-licensure program: the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Nursing. Bergen awards the A.A.S.; throughout this guide we use ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) as the standard label for this RN-preparation pathway. The program is not offered as a generic “BSN” at Bergen; students seeking a BSN typically transfer after licensure or through partner universities.
Pre-licensure (ADN)
A.A.S. Nursing — Day session
Catalog code AAS.NURS.DAY: admits for the fall semester; application opens October 15 with a January 15 deadline per Bergen’s Application and Eligibility page. Minimum 2.50 GPA for eligibility; Nursing Program Admission Exam (TEAS invitation process). Prerequisite science courses must include on-campus or hybrid labs as required by Health Professions policy.
A.A.S. Nursing — Evening session
Catalog code AAS.NURS.EVE: admits for the spring semester; application opens July 15 with a September 15 deadline. Evening applicants must complete additional co-requisite courses (including composition, psychology, and sociology) before the application deadline, as shown in the catalog degree planner.
Total program credits in the catalog degree planner: 60 semester hours for the evening sequence (similar total for the day track—confirm in the current catalog).
Post-licensure & graduate
Bergen’s nursing landing page reviewed for this guide does not list RN-to-BSN, MSN, or DNP programs as part of the Department of Nursing. Licensed RNs seeking a BSN should use Bergen’s transfer partnerships and NJ Transfer.
Do not assume Bergen offers LPN-only, paramedic-to-RN, or second-degree ABSN tracks unless they appear in the current catalog. If a pathway is not listed on the official nursing or catalog pages, treat it as not offered here.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Bergen Community College’s Registered Nurse Program Credentials & Effectiveness page, the college reports aggregate NCLEX pass rates (the page labels calendar years and total graduates who took the exam). Bergen explicitly notes that figures may include graduates from previous cycles who are first-time test takers, so these percentages are not identical to a single cohort’s first-time pass rate in every reporting year.
- 2025 (school-reported): aggregate NCLEX pass rate 83.45% with 145 graduates who took the NCLEX.
- 2024 (school-reported): aggregate NCLEX pass rate 94.5% with 102 test takers.
- 2023 (school-reported): aggregate NCLEX pass rate 94.32% with 88 test takers.
For first-time pass rates by reporting period as published by the state, download the New Jersey quarterly RN school PDFs (for example, files named like YYYY-NCLEX-RN-Q#.pdf) linked from The New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing — NCLEX scores or the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Board of Nursing resources. Confirm the latest figures with the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX pass rate (aggregate, school-reported) | 83.45% (2025, 145 tested); 94.5% (2024, 102 tested)—per Bergen Program Credentials page |
| First-time pass rate (state quarterly PDFs) | See NJ BON / NJCCN-linked quarterly RN school reports; methodology differs from Bergen’s annual aggregate table. |
| Source | Bergen CC — Program Credentials & Effectiveness; NJCCN NCLEX links. Confirm current data with Bergen CC and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Compare Bergen’s annual disclosure with official Board publications before drawing conclusions. Confirm the latest pass rates with Bergen Community College and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Bergen Community College charges out-of-county / non-immigrant visa tuition rates on its published fee schedule (higher than Bergen County resident rates). International applicants and internationally educated nurses must meet Bergen admissions policies, clinical site clearance rules, and New Jersey Board of Nursing requirements for RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility. Use the checklist below as guidance only; this is not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements with Bergen’s admissions office and the Division of Health Professions.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow Bergen’s instructions for official transcripts; use evaluators approved by the college or Board if required.
- New Jersey Board of Nursing: For RN licensure, NCLEX eligibility, and (if applicable) foreign-educated nurse pathways, confirm requirements with the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- Immigration & visa: Ask whether the nursing program (including clinical courses) supports F-1 or other visa categories and whether clinical agencies impose additional restrictions.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Bergen Community College and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Bergen Community College treats nursing as a limited-seat Health Professions program. The Application and Eligibility page describes a multi-step process: academic eligibility, criminal background check, basic skills testing with remediation, and a TEAS admissions examination administered off campus for invited candidates. Applicants must attend a mandatory Health Professions Information Session before applying. Science prerequisites must be completed within five years, with a grade of C or better, and lab sciences must be taken in on-campus or hybrid sections with on-campus labs (policy updated January 2022).
Application timeline (from Bergen’s Application and Eligibility page)
| Track | Opens | Deadline | Start term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Day (AAS.NURS.DAY) | October 15 | January 15 | Fall (September) |
| Nursing Evening (AAS.NURS.EVE) | July 15 | September 15 | Spring (January) |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; program is capacity-limited. |
| Minimum GPA | 2.50 for admissions eligibility (day and evening), per catalog and Application and Eligibility page. |
| TEAS | Required for invited candidates per Application and Eligibility page (fee paid to testing vendor). |
| Background check / drug screen | Background checks must be clear before an admissions exam invitation; drug screening after acceptance per Health Professions policy. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Bergen Community College publishes county-based tuition for New Jersey residents. Figures below are taken from the 2025–2026 Tuition and Fees schedule (Fall 2025 through Summer II 2026). Total cost depends on credits enrolled, course-specific fees, and whether a course triggers additional lab or e-book charges described on the bursar page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit (2025–26) | Bergen County: $162.15; out-of-county / non-immigrant visa: $333.05; out-of-state: $350.35 |
| Mandatory per-credit fees (2025–26) | Technology $15.75; security $2.20; general $29.30 (same all tiers); registration fee $16.80 per semester (not per credit) |
| Example total (1 credit, in-county) | About $226.20 including bundled per-credit charges on Bergen’s estimate table |
| Example full-time band (12 cr / term, in-county) | About $2,529.10 per term on Bergen’s 2025–26 estimate table (verify current year) |
| Room, board, transportation | Not listed on the tuition page; not publicly disclosed in this guide. |
| Source | Bergen Community College — Tuition and Fees. Confirm current amounts with the Bursar. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
The metrics below summarize Bergen’s school-reported NCLEX table and program-completion snapshots. The same page lists program completion percentages by entry term (for example, Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 rows on the credentials page)—interpret those figures with the school’s footnotes and confirm methodology with Bergen.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX pass rate (aggregate, school-reported) | 83.45% (2025, 145 tested); 94.5% (2024, 102 tested)—Bergen Program Credentials page |
| Program completion (examples on same page) | Bergen lists term-specific completion percentages (for example, Spring 2025 and Fall 2025); confirm definitions with the college. |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; confirm with Career Services. |
| Source | Bergen CC — Program Credentials & Effectiveness. Confirm current outcomes with Bergen CC and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. |
Is Bergen Community College the Right Fit for You?
Bergen is a strong option if you live in Bergen County or nearby and want an ACEN-accredited ADN at public in-county tuition, with a clear choice between day and evening pathways. It is less suitable if you need an online pre-licensure program, want a BSN awarded in four years without transferring, or cannot meet Health Professions deadlines and TEAS expectations.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an ADN with transparent county-based tuition and a two-year (four-semester nursing sequence) structure.
- Can complete science prerequisites with on-campus labs within five years and attend mandatory information sessions.
- Plan to sit for NCLEX-RN in New Jersey and work in the dense northern New Jersey / NYC metro clinical market.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure program (labs and clinicals are in person).
- Expect guaranteed admission without competing for limited Health Professions seats.
- Want a BSN without later transfer—Bergen’s primary offering here is the A.A.S. / ADN pathway.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Bergen County sits in one of the most hospital-dense regions of the United States, between Newark and Manhattan. Major systems serving northern New Jersey include Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJBarnabas Health, Atlantic Health System, and Valley Health System. Long-term care, home health, and ambulatory networks add breadth for clinical learning. Specific rotation sites change by semester and contract; confirm active affiliates with the nursing department.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Hackensack University Medical Center (Hackensack Meridian) | Flagship tertiary hospital in Hackensack—representative of large teaching affiliates in the region. |
| The Valley Hospital (Valley Health System) | Major acute-care hospital in Ridgewood serving Bergen County residents. |
| Holy Name Medical Center | Teaneck-based system with broad medical–surgical and specialty services. |
| Regional context | Students may also rotate through community hospitals, subacute facilities, and clinics throughout Bergen and adjacent counties—verify current contracts with Bergen CC. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Bergen Community College’s Division of Health Professions houses nursing in the Health Professions building on the Paramus campus (400 Paramus Road). The nursing mission statement highlights classroom instruction, dedicated nursing skills and simulation laboratories, and community clinical experiences. Technology such as computer-assisted instruction and patient simulators is integrated into skills mastery. Student life is typical of a commuter-serving community college—many students balance work and family—so evening nursing exists specifically to support employed learners.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Paramus, NJ
- Address
- 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, US
- Main telephone
- (201) 447-7100
- Nursing department
- (201) 879-5811 (Division of Health Professions, per Bergen nursing page)
- Website
- bergen.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Register for a mandatory Health Professions Information Session before you apply.
- Download the current catalog Nursing AAS day or evening planner and map prerequisites against your transcripts.
- Complete basic skills testing and any required remediation before your application deadline.
- Budget for the TEAS exam fee and prepare using official ATI resources; confirm invitation timing with Health Professions.
- Review residency rules on Bergen’s registration pages so you know whether you qualify for in-county tuition.
- Bookmark Program Credentials and NJCCN NCLEX PDF links for outcome monitoring.
- Set calendar reminders for January 15 (day program) or September 15 (evening program) deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bergen Community College a good school for nursing?
Bergen’s ADN program is approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN (continuing accreditation per Bergen’s credentials page). School-reported aggregate NCLEX pass rates were 83.45% in 2025 (145 tested) and 94.5% in 2024 (102 tested). Confirm current rates with Bergen’s Program Credentials and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Bergen Community College nursing?
According to Bergen’s Program Credentials & Effectiveness page, the aggregate NCLEX pass rate was 83.45% in 2025 and 94.5% in 2024. The page notes figures may include graduates from prior cycles who are first-time test takers. For quarterly first-time rates, see NJCCN-linked PDFs and confirm with the Board.
Does Bergen Community College require TEAS for nursing?
Yes—Bergen’s Application and Eligibility page states eligible candidates receive an invitation to take the required TEAS admissions examination at an off-campus testing center. Confirm fees and minimum scores with the Division of Health Professions.
What is the difference between Bergen nursing day and evening programs?
Day nursing admits for fall with applications due January 15 (opens October 15). Evening nursing admits for spring with applications due September 15 (opens July 15). Evening track prerequisites include additional general-education courses before the deadline.
What GPA do you need for Bergen Community College nursing?
Bergen lists a minimum 2.50 GPA for admissions eligibility. Science prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better within five years.
How much is Bergen Community College tuition for nursing students (2025–26)?
Bergen’s 2025–26 schedule lists $162.15 per credit tuition for Bergen County residents, $333.05 for out-of-county/non-immigrant visa, and $350.35 for out-of-state, plus mandatory fees. See the bursar tuition tables.
How competitive is admission to Bergen Community College nursing?
Health professions programs are capacity-limited; Bergen uses a structured admissions process. An overall acceptance rate is not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed.
Does Bergen Community College offer a BSN or RN-to-BSN?
Bergen’s nursing page focuses on the A.A.S. / ADN pathway. RN-to-BSN completion is not listed on this department page; use transfer planning resources for a BSN after licensure.
Where do Bergen nursing students complete clinical rotations?
Bergen states students learn in varied clinical settings; specific hospitals rotate by cohort. Confirm current affiliates with the nursing department.
References
- Bergen Community College — Nursingbergen.edu/nursing
- Bergen Community College — Application and Eligibility (Health Professions)bergen.edu/nursing/application-and-eligibility
- Bergen Community College — Registered Nurse Program Credentials & Effectivenessbergen.edu/nursing/program-credentials-effectiveness
- Bergen Community College — Tuition and Fees (2025–26)bergen.edu/bursar/tuition-and-fees-current-and-previous-academic-years
- Bergen Community College — Catalog (Nursing AAS programs)catalog.bergen.edu
- New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing — NCLEX scores (PDF links)njccn.org/nj-nclex
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Board of Nursingnjconsumeraffairs.gov/nur
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for ADN program scope, TEAS/admissions alignment with Bergen’s Application and Eligibility page, tuition figures against the 2025–26 bursar schedule, and NCLEX data against Bergen’s Program Credentials disclosure.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with Bergen Community College and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy