Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Florida
Florida is home to some of the top nursing programs in the nation, as well as various high-paying and secure career opportunities. That's why we've ranked the best nursing schools in Florida to help you decide which is right for you.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Top 10 Nursing Schools in Florida
This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors including,
- Reputation
- NCLEX pass rate
- Tuition
- Acceptance rate, when available
- Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible
Our selection panel includes 5 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.
- Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
- Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
- Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN
- Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN
- Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN
Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Florida nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.
Students eligible for in-state tuition may have the University of Florida at the top of their application list. In addition to a high-quality education, UoF students enjoy the vibrant student life offered by its Gainsville location.
The University of Florida has a well-respected BSN program, a DNP program, and a Ph.D. program. Students can’t earn their MSN here, but they do have a BSN to DNP program—something to note for students looking to get a doctoral degree.
- Public or Private? Public
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 16%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $149
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $856
- Address: Tigert Hall, Gainesville, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $59,576
Often considered one of the best universities in the South, Jacksonville University offers everything a student should expect from a private school. The cost might be a little high, but nursing students have plenty of options at Jacksonville University.
Aside from their traditional BSN program, Jacksonville has one of the best online RN-to-BSN programs in Florida. Also, on-campus students can enroll in their RN to MSN program, skipping straight to a graduate degree – an excellent option for current registered nurses (RNs).
- Public or Private? Private
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 17%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,460
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,460
- Address: 2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $66,857
The University of Miami is a private school with an excellent reputation, which, unfortunately, drives up the tuition costs. However, with the help of financial aid, students can offset tuition costs to attend one of the top nursing schools in Florida.
UM is home to one of the best ABSN programs in Florida but also offers a traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN bridge, and advanced nursing degree options. Each program also prepares students to pass any exams after graduation, with most BSN students passing the NCLEX on their first try.
- Public or Private? Private
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 5%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $2,310
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $2,310
- Address: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $65,621
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Florida State University is an excellent option for Florida residents due to its exceedingly low in-state tuition. However, the university also offers excellent nursing programs, including an accelerated BSN and MSN in nurse leadership.
The accelerated BSN is full-time and year-round, allowing students to finish their degree quickly and enter the field. The MSN in Nurse Leadership ranks nationally and prepares students to become workplace leaders. FSU is worth looking at for students who want to enter the workforce quickly without breaking their budget.
- Public or Private? Public
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 12%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $218
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $724
- Address: 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $58,923
Based in Tampa, the University of Florida is perfect for students looking to study in a busy urban area. The university is also the top school in Florida for research funding, which may attract graduate nursing students.
Additionally, a degree from USF improves students' employment prospects, as over 90% of recent grads at all levels landed jobs at graduation. USF graduates also tend to begin their careers with above-average salaries.
- Public or Private? Public
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 17%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $214
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $577
- Address: 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $61,603
Nova Southeastern is a private, not-for-profit university with surprisingly low tuition rates. Most students also receive financial aid, further offsetting the cost of attendance at this school.
NSU's main nursing program is the entry BS in Nursing. Students may attend this program in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, or Miami, allowing for greater location flexibility. In addition to preparing students for their initial RN license, NSU also offers several graduate programs for those interested in advancing their careers.
- Public or Private? Private
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 26%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,150
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,150
- Address: 3301 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $65,027
One of the most affordable options on this list, the University of Central Florida prides itself on having accessible nursing programs, especially for online students and veterans. However, this doesn’t diminish the quality of their undergraduate and graduate nursing programs for on-campus students.
The traditional BSN is still the highlight of this robust program, and all recent grads passed the NCLEX on their first try. Considering the price and outcome, UCF should be on any Florida residents’ list.
- Public or Private? Public
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 20%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $212
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $749
- Address: 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,507
Florida Southern College in Lakeland is among the smallest schools on this list, with just over 3,000 total students. Florida Southern doesn’t offer many degree options for nurses, but the programs they do offer are noteworthy.
The college offers a direct-entry BSN with an impressive 94.44% NCLEX pass rate for recent graduates. FSC also has outstanding graduate programs, offering a leadership-focused DNP and administrative MSN.
- Public or Private? Private
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 6%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,055
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,055
- Address: 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $61,020
The University of North Florida is part of the Florida Public School System. The nursing school offered the university's flagship programs, solidifying its identity as an elite healthcare education facility.
The university now offers four BSN options, including an accelerated BSN, and four graduate degree paths. UNF's attention to nursing students is difficult to match, and with incredible in-state tuition, this school should be on every Florida native's list.
- Public or Private? Public
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 16%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $213
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $693
- Address: 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $58,057
Florida International University is one of the largest schools in the state, with over 54,000 students. It's also Florida's only public research institution, which may be a draw for graduate students. The university is well-known for its nursing programs, including a strong BSN option for undergraduate students.
However, the real draw of this school is its CRNA program. Compliant with the new CRNA standards, the program awards students with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and prepares them to enter the lucrative and rewarding field of nurse anesthesia.
- Public or Private? Public
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Percent Enrolled Online: 27%
- In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $206
- Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $619
- Address: 11200 S. W. 8 Street, Miami, FL
- Website
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $63,071
Florida Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
- Florida employs 187,920 nurses, the fourth highest in the nation.
- There are 21.84 employed nurses for every 1,000 jobs in Florida, higher than the national average.
The only downside to Florida is the annual mean wage for nurses; in May of 2021, nurses in Florida earned a mean wage of $72,000, lower than the nation’s mean wage of $77,600.
However, the wage nurses might earn depends on where they live. According to the BLS, nurses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach earned a mean wage of $74,220, while nurses in Panama City earned just $68,820.
With high nursing employment across the state, nurses should be able to find a job in whatever area they want, whether it be a metropolitan area or a small coastal town.
Next Steps
Picking the best schools for your situation is the first step to earning a BSN and becoming a nurse. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential schools, you’ll want to take a closer look at each school, the nursing program, and the potential outcomes.
In order, you’ll want to:
- Get in touch with each school’s admissions offices. The admissions office will tell you what the requirements for the university and nursing program are. This is an important step to find out if you’re eligible for the program.
- Meet the nursing school requirements. Nursing programs often have their own admissions process separate from the university. You may be required to submit additional resources, such as letters of recommendation or volunteer experience.
This step is critical. Don’t apply to a school where you won’t be eligible for the nursing program.
- Submit your application(s). Even if you only have one dream school, apply to more than one university. One school may offer a scholarship you can’t resist!
When applying, items you’ll need to submit include:
-
- High school transcript (GPA)
- ACT and/or SAT scores
- College entrance essay(s)
- Letter(s) of recommendation
Again, see what other requirements each school and nursing program has. Gather your materials early on, too – it will make the application process much easier!
If at any point you feel confused or lost, contact an admissions representative. Their job is to help you through the application process.
Choosing a Nursing School
Your dream school just accepted you! But you’ve found out that the nursing program has a low admissions rate, and you might not be eligible to join the program.
Scenarios like this are more common than you’d think. That’s why taking multiple factors into account is the best way to ensure you’re going to the right school.
Factors you should look at when comparing schools include:
- Annual tuition and total program cost (these can be different)
- Cost of living at or near the school
- Acceptance rate (both for the school and the nursing program)
- Length of the program (is it accelerated for four-year?)
- Nursing program outcomes
- Distance from hospitals (will you have to commute for clinicals?)
- Scholarships or grants offered by the school
- Accreditation (regional and national)
Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation
Accreditation is how schools can prove that their programs are high-quality. If a school is unaccredited, you may not be eligible for forms of financial aid. Nurses also might be turned away from potential employers if their degree is from an unaccredited school.
The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
If a school is accredited by one of these institutions, then their nursing program adheres to strict national standards.
Getting an RN License in Florida
Florida is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), so becoming an RN in Florida means you’re also eligible to work as a nurse in 37 other states and two territories.
To become an RN, you’ll need to:
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
- Pass a criminal background check and submit your fingerprints
- Apply to become a nurse via the Florida Board of Nursing
If you complete a BSN from an accredited Florida university, you should be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. After that, you’ll just need to submit some extra information and pass a background test. Then you’re set to begin your nursing career!
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Conclusion
As one of the top employers for nurses, there are plenty of opportunities available in Florida. However, to give yourself the best chance of finding a high-paying job, you’ll want to earn a BSN from an accredited school. Once you complete your BSN, you’ll be on track to become an RN and start a long, successful nursing career!
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