Quick answer
Some of the best nursing schools in Florida for a bachelor's degree are the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of West Florida. All posted 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates well above the state and national averages at in-state public prices. The rule that matters most: check the pass rate and accreditation first, then compare what you'll actually pay.
Florida trains more new nurses than any other state. That's good news if you want to become a nurse here, and also a warning. With hundreds of approved programs, quality varies a lot, and Florida's statewide pass rate on the nursing licensing exam sits near the bottom of the country.
This guide compares Florida's strongest bachelor's (BSN) programs on the numbers that actually predict your success, then shows how state college routes and Bright Futures can cut the cost dramatically.
Important
According to the Florida Center for Nursing, Florida had the largest number of first-time NCLEX-RN test takers in the nation in 2025, but its first-time pass rate was 81.82%, ranking 47th of 50 states. The national average was 86.71%. Program choice matters more in Florida than almost anywhere else.
How We Picked These Schools
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. We used 2025 first-time results reported by the Florida Board of Nursing, as compiled in NurseSavvy's Florida program table. You can check any program yourself in the Florida Department of Health's nursing program comparison tool.
- Accreditation. National accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). It affects graduate school options and some employers.
- Entry route. Whether you're admitted into nursing as a first-year student or compete for an upper-division seat after prerequisites.
- Cost. In-state tuition and fees from the College Scorecard. Use each school's net price calculator for your own number.
- Outcomes. Median earnings of each program's nursing graduates one year after finishing, from College Scorecard field-of-study data.
Florida BSN Programs: Quick Comparison
| School | Type | 2025 NCLEX pass rate | In-state tuition and fees | Grad earnings, 1 year out | Entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Gulf Coast University | Public | 98.9% | $6,118 | $70,964 | Limited access; check current route | Top pass rate in Southwest Florida |
| University of Miami | Private | 96.6% | $62,616 | $75,036 | Check program | A private option with strong results |
| University of Central Florida | Public | 94.6% | $6,368 | $73,765 | Limited access after prerequisites | A huge program with multiple campuses |
| University of South Florida | Public | 94.2% | $6,410 | $72,879 | Limited access; check current route | Academic medical center access in Tampa |
| University of West Florida | Public | 94.2% | $6,360 | $73,787 | Limited access; check current route | Panhandle students |
| Florida International University | Public | 93.6% | $6,565 | $78,671 | Limited access; check current route | Miami students and bilingual care |
| University of Florida | Public | 93.1% | $6,381 | $73,711 | Competitive; check current route | A flagship BSN tied to UF Health |
| University of North Florida | Public | 88.8% | $6,389 | $76,508 | Limited access; check current route | Jacksonville's hospital market |
| Florida Atlantic University | Public | 88.5% | $4,879 | $77,883 | Limited access; check current route | The lowest tuition on this list |
| Florida State University | Public | 80.5% | $5,656 | $69,997 | Upper-division application | FSU students; watch the pass-rate trend |
| University of Tampa | Private | 97.6% | $34,408 | $71,478 | Check program | A smaller private campus in Tampa |
Pass rates are 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN results for each school's BSN program. Tuition and earnings are institution and program figures from College Scorecard; sticker tuition is before aid, and most Florida residents pay less after Bright Futures and grants.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL
Best for: students who want the highest pass rate at a public price.
FGCU's Marieb College of Health & Human Services posted a 98.9% first-time pass rate in 2025, the highest of any public university BSN in the state. It's a smaller program than the big flagships, with clinical placements across Southwest Florida's growing hospital systems.
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Best for: students who want a private university with top results.
Miami's School of Nursing and Health Studies posted a 96.6% first-time pass rate in 2025 and trains students in a state-of-the-art simulation hospital and at major Miami health systems. The sticker price is the highest on this list, so run the net price calculator before you rule it in or out.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
Best for: students who want a very large, consistent program with campus options.
UCF says it educates more BSN-prepared nurses than any other school in Florida, with programs in Orlando, Cocoa and Daytona. Its 2025 board-reported pass rate was 94.6%. Students are admitted to UCF first, complete prerequisites, then apply to the limited-access nursing program.
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
Best for: students who want to train inside an academic health system.
USF's College of Nursing is part of USF Health, so students learn alongside future doctors and pharmacists. It's one of the largest BSN programs in the state, with 447 first-time test takers in 2025 and a 94.2% pass rate.
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL
Best for: Panhandle students who want strong results close to home.
UWF's BSN matched USF with a 94.2% pass rate in 2025. Pensacola's hospital systems and military health presence give students a solid range of clinical sites, and the campus is smaller and less crowded than the big three.
Florida International University
Miami, FL
Best for: Miami students who want a large public program and high early earnings.
FIU's Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences posted a 93.6% pass rate in 2025 across 204 first-time test takers. Its graduates had the highest median early earnings on this list, $78,671 a year after finishing, and the bilingual Miami market is a real advantage for clinical experience.
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Best for: students who want a flagship BSN tied to a major academic medical center.
UF's College of Nursing trains students at UF Health Shands, one of the largest hospitals in the Southeast. Its BSN posted a 93.07% first-time pass rate in 2025 across 274 test takers. Admission to UF is highly selective, so nursing seats are very competitive.
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL
Best for: students who want Jacksonville's big hospital market.
UNF's Brooks College of Health posted an 88.8% pass rate in 2025, just above the national average. Graduates earned a median $76,508 a year after finishing, among the highest on this list, helped by Jacksonville's large health systems.
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL
Best for: South Florida students who want the lowest sticker price.
FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has the lowest in-state tuition on this list, and its graduates earned a median $77,883 one year out. Its 2025 BSN pass rate was 88.5%, a little above the national average, so check the trend over several years.
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Best for: FSU students who want to stay on campus for nursing.
FSU is a popular, selective university with low in-state tuition. But its BSN's 2025 first-time pass rate was 80.5%, below the national average. One year can swing, and FSU has posted much higher rates in earlier years, so ask the College of Nursing for its recent trend and what it's doing to support NCLEX preparation.
University of Tampa
Tampa, FL
Best for: students who want a smaller private campus with strong results.
UT posted a 97.6% first-time pass rate in 2025. As a private university, its tuition is much higher than the publics, so compare its aid offer carefully with a public BSN plus Bright Futures.
Pro tip
Some well-known names offer only graduate or accelerated nursing programs, or programs for people who already have a degree. Before you apply, confirm that the school admits first-year students into a traditional, prelicensure BSN.
Public University vs. Private vs. State College for Nursing in Florida
| Option | Typical tuition and fees | Entry | Good fit if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public university BSN | About $4,900 to $6,600 a year in-state | Limited access; many apply after prerequisites | You want a four-year degree at a low price, especially with Bright Futures |
| Private university BSN | About $34,000 to $63,000 a year before aid | Varies; some admit nursing majors earlier | The aid offer makes it competitive, or you want a smaller campus |
| State college ADN | About $2,700 to $3,200 a year in-state | Competitive; often by points or ranking | You want the cheapest path to an RN license, then a BSN |
Why Pass Rates and Accreditation Matter More Than Rankings
Every registered nurse has to pass the NCLEX-RN. A program's first-time pass rate tells you how well it prepares its graduates for that exam. Florida law also uses pass rates to police quality. Under section 464.019 of the Florida Statutes, approved programs must keep first-time pass rates within 10 percentage points of the national average for comparable programs, and programs that fall short can face probation.
Accreditation is the second filter. It's separate from state approval. Programs accredited by CCNE or ACEN have met national standards, which matters if you plan to earn a master's degree later or apply to employers that require it. Check any program in the CCNE or ACEN online directories.
Joey's take
Florida has a lot of nursing programs, and they are not equal. Before you compare tuition, check two numbers: the program's first-time NCLEX pass rate and its accreditation. Then let Bright Futures and in-state public tuition do the rest.
I've watched families pick the cheapest program they could find, only to see their kid fail the licensing exam and spend months retaking it without a nursing paycheck. A cheap program with a low pass rate is the most expensive option of all.
What to Look for Beyond Pass Rates
Pass rates and accreditation are your first two filters. Once a program clears them, ask about these:
- Attrition. How many students who start the nursing program actually finish it? A high pass rate means less if many students leave before taking the exam.
- Admission odds. If you'll start as pre-nursing, ask what share of pre-nursing students get a seat in the program each year, and what GPA they usually need.
- Clinical placements. Where do students do their rotations, and how much variety do they get, from hospitals to community clinics?
- Simulation labs. Modern simulation centers let you practice high-stakes situations before you face them with real patients.
- Job placement. What share of graduates are working as RNs within six months, and where?
Also check whether a program is on conditional or probationary approval with the Florida Board of Nursing. The Department of Health's comparison tool shows each program's status.
Already have a degree? Look at accelerated BSNs
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN can make you an RN in about 12 to 16 months. Several Florida universities, including UCF, USF, UF and FIU, offer accelerated or second-degree options. These programs are intense, and students with a prior bachelor's degree aren't eligible for Pell Grants, so plan for federal loans and school scholarships.
The ADN-to-BSN Route
Florida's state colleges offer one of the smartest paths into nursing. You earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), pass the NCLEX, start working as an RN, then finish a BSN through an RN-to-BSN program, often online and often with employer tuition help. Many Florida state colleges also offer their own RN-to-BSN programs.
Several state college ADN programs posted excellent 2025 results: Polk State College (97.4%), Pasco-Hernando State College (95.9%), Seminole State College (94.7%) and Valencia College (89.6%). In-state tuition at these colleges runs roughly $2,700 to $3,200 a year, less than half of a public university.
That means you can become a licensed RN for a fraction of the cost, start earning sooner, and finish your bachelor's degree with far less debt.
What Florida nursing graduates earn
The payoff for finishing a strong program is real. Across Florida BSN programs with federal data, graduates' median earnings one year after finishing were about $77,000, and ADN graduates earned a median of about $65,000, based on College Scorecard field-of-study data. Earnings rise with experience, specialty certifications and a BSN, which many hospitals prefer for leadership and specialty roles.
How to Pay for Nursing School in Florida
| Program | Covers | Eligibility | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Futures: Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) | 100% of tuition and applicable fees at public institutions (for example, $212.28 per credit hour at UCF in 2026-27) | Florida residents who meet FAS GPA, test score and service-hour requirements | Florida Financial Aid Application during senior year of high school |
| Bright Futures: Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) | 75% of tuition and applicable fees at public universities (for example, $159.21 per credit hour at UCF) | Florida residents who meet FMS requirements | Florida Financial Aid Application |
| Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) | Need-based grant; amount varies by school and funding | Florida residents with financial need | FAFSA |
| Federal Pell Grant | Up to $7,395 for 2026-27 | Undergraduates with high financial need | FAFSA |
| Nurse Corps Scholarship (HRSA) | Tuition, fees and a monthly stipend | Nursing students who agree to work at least two years at a facility with a critical nursing shortage | Annual HRSA application |
Bright Futures generally funds up to 120 credit hours toward a first bachelor's degree, and students must enroll in at least six credit hours a term to receive it. Award amounts change by year and school, so confirm yours with your college's financial aid office.
For more funding ideas, see our guides to scholarships for nursing students and nursing schools with the best scholarships. Interested in a specialty? Our list of colleges for labor and delivery nurses is a good next read.
Comparing states? See the best nursing schools in California and the best nursing schools in Texas. And if you're weighing other majors in Florida, our guide to the best colleges in Florida for psychology covers the same aid programs.
FAQ
What is the best nursing school in Florida?
There is no official number one, but Florida Gulf Coast University posted the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of any public university BSN in Florida, at 98.9%. The University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida and University of Florida also posted rates above 93% at in-state public prices. The best choice depends on cost, location and your odds of getting into the major.
Is it hard to get into nursing school in Florida?
Yes, at most strong programs. Florida public university BSN programs are usually limited access, which means you are admitted to the university first and then compete for a nursing seat after completing prerequisites. State college ADN programs are also competitive and often rank applicants by points. Keep prerequisite grades high and apply to several programs.
What is a good NCLEX pass rate?
A first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate above 90% is strong. The national average for first-time U.S.-educated test takers was about 86.7% in 2025, while Florida's statewide rate was 81.82%. Look for programs consistently above the national average, and check several years of results, because one year can swing.
Can I go to community college for nursing in Florida?
Yes. Florida's state colleges offer Associate Degree in Nursing programs that prepare you for the NCLEX-RN, and several, including Polk State, Pasco-Hernando State and Seminole State, posted 2025 first-time pass rates above 94%. After you become a registered nurse, you can complete a BSN through an RN-to-BSN program, often online.
How much does nursing school cost in Florida?
In-state tuition and fees at Florida public universities run about $4,900 to $6,600 a year, and state colleges charge about $2,700 to $3,200 a year. Private universities can cost $34,000 to more than $60,000 a year before aid. Housing, books, uniforms and exam fees add more. Bright Futures and Pell Grants can cover much of public tuition for eligible students.
Does Bright Futures pay for nursing school?
Yes. Bright Futures can be used for nursing degrees at eligible Florida colleges and universities. Florida Academic Scholars receive 100% of tuition and applicable fees at public institutions, and Florida Medallion Scholars receive 75%. Awards generally cover up to 120 credit hours toward a first bachelor's degree, and students must enroll in at least six credit hours a term.
