collageNurses know that they have to attend the right schools to get the best quality education they can, especially if they have long-term career plans.
Florida is home to some of the top nursing programs in the nation, as well as various high-paying and secure career opportunities.
Top 10 Nursing Schools in Florida
1. University of Florida
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,381 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Students eligible for in-state tuition would have a hard time not including the University of Florida on their list of schools. Florida has a well-respected BSN program, as well as a DNP and Ph.D. program. Student’s can’t earn their MSN at Florida, but they do have a BSN to DNP program – something to note for students looking to get a doctoral degree. On top of the high-quality education, you’ll get to enjoy the vibrant student life in Gainesville!
2. Jacksonville University
Annual Tuition: $33,930| NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
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 an online RN to BSN degree option. 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).
3. University of Miami
Annual Tuition: $47,004 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.51%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Another private school with an excellent reputation, the University of Miami may be more expensive than other options, but for good reason. With BSN, MSN and DNP programs available (as well as plenty of specializations), most nursing students will be able to find a program for them at the University of Miami. Each program also prepares students to pass any exams after graduation, with the majority of BSN students passing the NCLEX on their first try.
4. Florida State University
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,507 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.59%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
It’s tough to beat the low tuition costs of public Florida schools! Aside from the low in-state tuition, two of the highlights at Florida State University are the accelerated BSN and MSN Nurse Leadership programs. The accelerated BSN is full-time and year-round, but degrees are completed faster, and it shows dedication to employers. The MSN Nurse Leadership program is nationally ranked and prepares nursing students to become leaders in the workplace. For students interested in starting their career ASAP, FSU is worth taking a look at.
5. University of South Florida
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,410| NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.92%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Based in Tampa, the University of Florida is perfect for students looking to study in a busy urban area. USF is also a good choice for nursing students that want to be prepared for work right after graduation. Over 90% of nursing degree graduates at all levels are employed at graduation, and nurses typically begin their careers with above-average salaries. USF is also the top school in Florida for research funding, something graduate-level nurses might be interested in.
6. Nova Southeastern University
Annual Tuition: $28,736 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.24%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
For a private, not-for-profit school, Nova Southeastern University has an incredibly low tuition rate – and it helps that most students receive some form of financial aid. The entry BS in Nursing is the highlight of Nova Southeastern University’s nursing school. This program can be completed in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, or Miami, so the choice is yours! Nova prepares nurses for their professional careers, and they have plenty of graduate-level options to choose from, too.
7. University of Central Florida
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,368 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
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 take away from the quality of their undergraduate and graduate nursing programs for students who study on-campus. The traditional BSN is still the highlight of this robust program, and all recent grads passed the NCLEX on their first try. Taking into account the price and outcome, UCF should be on any Florida residents’ list.
8. Florida Southern College
Annual Tuition: $37,640 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: No
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
Based in Lakeland, Florida Southern College 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. Their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is “a leadership focused program designed to prepare graduates to design and lead system-level improvements,” according to the website. With their MSN program, nurses can become a nurse practitioner or nurse educator. In fall 2020, Florida Southern will add an MSN/Administrative Leadership track and certificate option. There’s also a direct-entry BSN which boasts an impressive 100% NCLEX pass rate for recent grads.
9. University of North Florida
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,394 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
In the historic city of Jacksonville is the University of North Florida, another part of the Florida public school system. A little over a decade ago, the nursing school was selected as the flagship program at the University of North Florida. The result has been four BSN track options, including an accelerated BSN, and four graduate degree tracks. The attention they give to all nursing students is difficult to match, and with incredible in-state tuition, UNF is a school any Florida native should add to their list.
10. Florida International University
Annual In-State Tuition: $6,556 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.54%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
With over 54,000 students, you’d be hard pressed to find many schools larger than Florida International University anywhere in the nation. While FIU has a strong BSN program, the biggest draw is their Nurse Anesthetist program. Students who become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) through the program are also given an MSN, opening doors to plenty of different areas to continue their career. FIU is also Florida’s only public research school, another draw for graduate students.
collage