Raritan Valley Community College

Established on April 5, 1966, Somerset County College evolved into Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) in 1987, a renowned public institution. RVCC offers various programs designed to empower students with essential skills for thriving in the healthcare sector.

Discover Raritan Valley Community College

Branchburg, New Jersey

School Ranking: C+
1 review

Raritan Valley Community College is a public and non-profit Community College. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including MA, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the ACEN and CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Student Demographics

  • 24 Average Age
  • 53% Men
  • 47% Women
  • 1% Veterans
  • 75% White
  • 10% Hispanic
  • 12% Black
  • 7% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • $6,696 In-State Non-Degree Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

  • Program
    Format
    Tuition
    Score
  • On-Campus Program
    $6,696 In-State Tuition
    3.9 Program Score

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

Somerset County College was established on April 5, 1966. It was officially renamed Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) in 1987 and is a public institution.

Registered Nurse Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program is designed to prepare students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), become state licensed as an RN, and seek entry-level positions in nursing.

Graduates may go on to continue studies for a baccalaureate degree in nursing at a four-year institution. Students that go on to obtain a bachelors are able to transfer the credits to their degree program depending on the policies of the institution to which application is made. The university has articulation agreements with numerous colleges and universities which enhance this process. During the final semester, students are required to take an exit exam to identify readiness for licensure. The are flexible evening and day sections available for this full time program.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Overall college GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • All prerequisites completed
  • High school completion or GED
  • Transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Nursing entrance test (ATI-TEAS)
  • Proof of residency for Somerset or Hunterdon County
  • Required science courses must have been completed within the past 5 years
  • Yearly health maintenance survey by healthcare provider
  • Current liability insurance
  • Maintain BLS-C CPR certification
  • Yearly criminal history background check (actions or pending actions against any licenses currently held or surrendering of any license, arrest, indictment or conviction for violation of any law or regulation within the last ten years, including motor vehicle offenses, such as driving while impaired or intoxicated may limit RN-NCLEX examination)
  • Drug screen

LPN to AAS-RN (PN/AD Option)

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (PN/AD Option) prepares graduates of Practical Nursing programs to advance their education and become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Graduates may go on to continue studies for a baccalaureate degree in nursing at a four-year institution. The university has articulation agreements with numerous colleges and universities. During the final semester, students are required to take an exit exam to identify readiness for RN licensure. The program includes one Summer session and one year of study.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • All developmental courses and Anatomy/Physiology I/II grade "C" or better
  • Transfer credits from LPN education - 15 Credits
  • 85% average (3.25 GPA) from Practical Nursing program
  • Overall 2.75 GPA required for admission into Nursing Transition
  • High School completion or GED
  • Transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Official transcript from Practical Nursing program
  • Work history form
  • LPN recommendation form
  • Current, unencumbered LPN license from the State of New Jersey
  • Graduation from an LPN program with a 3.25 GPA or higher
  • Entrance testing as outlined by university
  • Yearly health maintenance survey by health care practitioner
  • Current liability insurance
  • Maintain BLS-C CPR certification while in the program
  • Yearly criminal history background check (actions or pending actions against any licenses currently held or surrendering of any license, arrest, indictment or conviction for violation of any law or regulation within the last ten years, including motor vehicle offenses, such as driving while impaired or intoxicated may limit RN-NCLEX examination)
  • Drug screen

Approval and Accreditation

The New Jersey Board of Nursing approved the nursing program.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredited Raritan Valley Community College.

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited the nursing program.

Rankings

NICHE (2019)

  • Best Community Colleges in America #138 of 868
  • Best Community Colleges in New York City Area #3 of 22 
 
RVCC has been given top honors by WalletHub.com in their annual lists of best colleges.
 
BestColleges.com ranked RVCC #10 in its list of Best Online Community Colleges for 2018.

Zippia, a website dedicated to helping recent grads with their career choices, has ranked RVCC has the best community college in New Jersey for getting a job.

Washington Monthly has ranked RVCC eighth in the country in the category of Best Colleges for Adult Learners - 2 Year Colleges.

Raritan Valley Community College earned the 2017 Military Friendly® School designation in February by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM JobsSM and Military Spouse.

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Natalie W

I could not recommend this program less to people thinking about applying. Disappointing is an understatement considering how prestigious of a reputation this program has. Professors may be "qualified" to speak about nursing topics but have absolutely no real teaching skills. They do voice overs on the power points and for one the professor read straight from the book, word for word. Nothing is clear or organized. Students are in a state of confusion every single week. They make up their own questions for the exams and its frequent that they end up giving everyone credit for specific questions after the exam has been taken because they realized they "messed up" on the wording of the question. This is a complete joke of a program so don't waste your money. I'm only in my first year but I've spoken to A LOT of others in the program and its safe to say we all share the same frustrations, as well as even year 2 students that say the same exact things. The only way I'm surviving this program is because I have utilized Youtube as my main source of instruction. I have no words for what a disaster of a program RVCC nursing is. I'm being generous with a one star rating. I would rate it zero if I could.  If anyone comes across this review, please take my advice and spend your money elsewhere. I wish I had, but unfortunately money is a problem for me and their cheap tuition is the only reason I haven't dropped.

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