The 25 Best Nursing Schools In Florida in 2024

Gulf Coast State College in Panama City takes the top spot on our list of the best nursing schools in Florida with its top-notch nursing programs and affordable tuition. GCSC offers an ADN program for first-time students and an RN-to-BSN (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program for working nurses. Students can also go straight from the ADN program to the RN-to-BSN program after they pass the NCLEX exam to earn their RN license.

The College of Central Florida in Ocala has multiple highly ranked nursing programs. Students can become an RN after completing a two-year associate’s degree and passing the NCLEX exam. CCF also has an RN-to-BSN program.This program takes another two years of full-time study.

Miami Dade College is the biggest college (by enrollment) in Florida and one of the biggest in the country. MDC has a large and well-respected nursing program with an associate’s-level program leading to RN candidacy and an RN-to-BSN program. Students can pursue their degrees on either full-time or part-time schedules.

Chipola College is a small public college in Marianna with a strong nursing program. Students must start with general education courses. Once they have completed this course, they can move onto the associate’s degree, which leads to RN candidacy. Chipola does have a BSN program for RNs who want to continue their education.

Daytona State College has one of the top nursing programs in Florida. As with most of the schools on this list, it offers an associate’s degree to leading to RN candidacy and an RN-to-BSN program. Students that already hold an LPN license will get credit toward their degrees.

Florida State University has the strongest nursing program of any university in the state. It offers a two-year BSN program. This program is aimed at students who have already completed two years of relevant coursework.

Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton is one of the more underrated state universities, but it does have an excellent nursing program. FAU offers a BSN and an online RN-to-BSN degree completion program. The school also offers a BSN program for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field.

The University of Florida has a large and well-known school of nursing. It offers the BSN degree, which is available as both a four-year degree and a degree completion program for students who have an RN license or a bachelor’s degree in another field. The BSN courses take four semesters of full-time study for RNs or students with a bachelor’s degree in another field.

The University of Central Florida in Orlando offers several innovative nursing degrees, making it one of the best nursing schools in Florida. The degrees offered include a four-year BSN and an RN-to-BSN online program. UCF even offers an accelerated BSN program that allows students to get an associate’s from a local community colleges and a BSN at the same time.

The University of South Florida in Tampa has a large and highly respected nursing school. In addition to the usual four-year BSN and RN-to-BSN programs, USF offers a unique program specifically for veterans who received medical experience in the military. This program allows veterans to get their BSN degree in only four semesters.

Florida International University in Miami is well-known for its nursing programs. In fact, over 1,000 students are enrolled in these programs, which are among the most popular in the university. FIU offers the usual programs: a four-year BSN, an RN-to-BSN, and a BSN for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field.

The University of West Florida in Pensacola has affordable tuition and excellent nursing programs. Students must complete two years of general education requirements before being accepted into the school’s BSN program. UWF also offers an RN-to-BSN program.

The University of North Florida in Jacksonville offers students a flexible selection of nursing programs. Freshmen can enter the four-year BSN program, while those who already have a bachelor’s in another field can enter an accelerated program. Those with two years of college under their belts can complete a BSN in two years. UNF also offers an RN-to-BSN program.

Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers has a highly rated nursing program. This four-year BSN program starts out with two years of general education and then continues with two years of nursing education. Students in the BSN program have the opportunity to get hands-on experience at clinical sites.

Florida A&M University is a public, historically black university in Tallahassee. It has a nursing school which offers two degree programs: a BSN for students who have completed two years of coursework and an RN-to-BSN program. The RN-to-BSN program can be completed in only two semesters.

AdventHealth University is a small private university in Orlando that specializes in the health sciences. Its four-year BSN program accepts students who have completed at leat 58 college credits. Classes are offered online and on campus. AHU also offers a full-online RN-to-BSN degree.

Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale may be one of the lesser-known schools on this list, but it still has a solid nursing program. It offers a four-year BSN and accelerated programs for students who already have a bachelor’s or some college coursework. Students in these accelerated programs can graduate in 16 months.

Barry University offers both accelerated and traditional paths to the BSN degree. The traditional four-year path is for freshmen. The accelerated path is for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.

The University of Tampa is a small private institution with a powerhouse nursing program. The only nursing degree offered is a four-year BSN. Students must complete two years of prerequisites and the TEAS exam before being accepted as BSN candidates.

Nova Southeastern University is a private insitiution that is well-known for its health sciences programs. Freshmen can join the pre-nursing program. Those with a bachelor’s degree in another field can apply for the accelerated program.

Palm Beach Atlantic University integrates traditional nursing education with Christian values. Freshmen can become pre-nursing majors. Students must have completed at least two years of college coursework to be accepted into the BSN program.

St. Thomas University is one of several schools on this list that is located in the Miami area. St. Thomas is a Catholic university that offers both a four-year BSN and an RN-to-BSN program. The RN-to-BSN program can be completed entirely over the Internet.

Florida Southern College in Lakeland has both a four-year BSN and an RN-to-BSN program. Students get clinical experience as part of their degrees. Graduates have achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX exam, making FSC one of the few schools in the state to earn this distinction.

Jacksonville University is a private institution with a strong undergraduate nursing program. Its four-year BSN program is unique because students can start taking nursing courses as freshmen. JU also offers an RN-to-BSN program which can be completed online.

The University of Miami is one of the most prestigious schools on this list, although it does have the priciest tuition. The school has three affiliated hospitals, so students in the BSN program have plenty of opportunities to get clinical experience. There are accelerated programs available for students who have RN licenses or bachelor’s degrees in other fields.