Top Nursing Schools in Florida for Aspiring RNs: ADN and BSN Options

Which school is the #1 nursing school in Florida depends on what you measure. Here it comes from NCLEX-RN results rather than reputation surveys, and Florida Gulf Coast University leads with a 99.5% pass rate.

The schools here include programs at two nursing degree levels: 2-year ADN and 4-year BSN paths, because both lead to the same Florida RN license. They differ in length, cost, and how hospitals weigh the credential.

A pass rate also needs context. Saint Leo University reports 100%, but on a cohort of just 12 test-takers, while the large public universities send hundreds of graduates through the exam.

Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: 10 Florida Nursing Schools Ranked

This list is a scoreboard for the licensing exam every Florida RN must pass, so the ten programs below lead with first-time NCLEX-RN results rather than reputation alone. Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers takes the top spot, followed by the University of Florida and the University of Miami. Where pass rates run close together, accreditation status and completion outcomes settle the order.

Reading the Numbers: Florida Board of Nursing Pass-Rate Rules Behind This List

Florida is one of the states where NCLEX pass rates by school are not just a bragging point but a legal condition of staying open. That single fact changes how you should read any pass rate you see advertised, starting with what is a good NCLEX pass rate.

Why a single year of data can mislead you

Pass rates are fractions, and small cohorts make them volatile. A program graduating twenty first-time test takers in a given year can drop more than fifteen percentage points because three additional students did not pass. Looking across several consecutive years, and giving more weight to the years with more test takers, smooths out that noise and shows whether a program performs consistently or simply had one good or one bad cycle.

What Florida Statute 464.019 actually requires

The law sets a floor rather than a target.² Each Board-approved program must post a first-time pass rate no more than 10 percentage points below the same-calendar-year average for comparable degree programs, counting only US-educated, first-time test takers, as calculated by NCSBN's contract testing service.¹ Note that the benchmark is the comparable-program average, not the overall national NCLEX figure.

If a program falls short for two consecutive calendar years, the Board places it on probation under chapter 120 and the program director must appear with a remediation plan containing specific benchmarks. Probation lifts once the program meets the rate for any single calendar year. The Board may grant one additional probationary year only if the program hit a majority of its remediation benchmarks; absent that extension, or if the program still falls short when the extension ends, the Board must terminate approval.¹

Verify any school yourself

The Florida Board of Nursing maintains an Education and Training Programs page with a section on NCLEX national average passage rates by program type, publishing annual PDF reports built from first-attempt NCSBN data and reported separately for NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. The most recent report identified there covers 2025. Pull it before you commit a deposit.

How this differs from reputation rankings

U.S. News leans heavily on peer assessment, where deans and faculty rate other institutions. Niche aggregates student reviews on campus life and value. Both answer real questions about fit and culture. Neither tells you whether a program clears Florida's statutory threshold.

2-Year ADN, Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN, or RN-to-BSN: How Long Each Takes in Florida

How long does it take to get a BSN in Florida? A traditional BSN is a four-year degree. An accelerated second-degree BSN, for students who already hold a bachelor's in another field, can take as little as 16 months at the University of South Florida. A 2-year ADN at a Florida College System school remains the fastest, lowest-cost way to reach NCLEX-RN eligibility. Once licensed, working RNs can add a BSN online in roughly 12 to 24 months. The first three routes below prepare you for initial licensure. RN-to-BSN is a separate, post-licensure degree for nurses who already hold an RN license.

Cheapest Nursing Schools in Florida and the Price Gap Between Sectors

Florida's state colleges and its flagship university sit at opposite ends of the price scale, and the gap shows up fast once you look at what students actually pay after aid.

Lowest Net Prices Here

Chipola College in Marianna is the most affordable option on this list, with an average net price after aid of about $1,133. Indian River State College follows at roughly $3,815, then Florida State College at Jacksonville at about $4,128, Northwest Florida State College at $4,571, and Pasco-Hernando State College at $5,203. These are averages across students, not a quote for any one applicant. Your own figure depends on Pell eligibility, scholarships, and how many credits you take. Several of these programs are online or hybrid RN to BSN programs in Florida for nurses who are already licensed, so confirm which entry point you need before comparing.

Sector by Sector

The Florida College System schools cluster tightly. In-state tuition and fees run from about $2,583 at Northwest Florida State College to $3,155 at Pasco-Hernando, and net prices stay near or below $5,200. The University of Florida sits higher, with in-state tuition near $6,381 and a net price of about $6,541, still modest for a top-ranked public BSN. The rows here do not include a private school, so no direct public vs private nursing programs comparison is quoted. Expect private sticker prices to run well above these, and use each school's net price calculator to see what aid would really cover.

Relocating From Out of State

Residency matters a great deal. Out-of-state tuition is $8,950 at Chipola and $10,201 at Indian River State College, and it climbs to $28,659 at the University of Florida, more than four times the in-state rate. If you are moving to Florida, check each school's residency rules and how long you must live in the state to qualify before you commit to a program.

A Practical Tip

Sticker price is only part of the cost. A nursing student who stalls on a waitlist, repeats a course, or needs a second NCLEX attempt pays far more than the tuition difference between two schools. When two programs are close in price, favor the one with stronger first-time NCLEX results and a clear on-time completion record.

Florida RN Pay at a Glance

Before weighing tuition against outcomes, it helps to know what registered nurses in Florida typically earn.

Florida Board of Nursing: Who Approves Programs and Licenses RNs

Prerequisites, TEAS/HESI Scores, and Waitlists at Limited-Access Programs

Florida nursing admissions are competitive at both the ADN and BSN level. Published minimums are a floor, not a target, so plan to exceed them.

1. Core prerequisite courses

   Expect Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology, and Statistics. Many programs add Nutrition or Human Growth and Development, and some require Chemistry or English Composition. A grade of C or better in each course is the usual minimum. FIU allows one science course repeat.
2. GPA ranges

   Florida College System ADN programs often publish minimums between 2.5 and 3.0, but competitive applicants usually come in higher. University BSN programs typically set the bar higher: UF and FSU list 3.0, and FIU lists 3.25, including dual-enrollment and transfer work.
3. Entrance exam (TEAS or HESI A2)

   Requirements vary by school. UF requires the HESI A2 with no set minimum, but 85 is considered competitive. UCF requires a TEAS score of 78% and UWF requires 75%. FIU requires an in-person TEAS Edition VII score of 70% overall and 62% in science, with two attempts allowed and scores valid for two years. FSU, USF, and UNF do not require an entrance exam.
4. Limited-access, points-based selection

   ADN programs rank applicants rather than admitting first-come. Common factors are prerequisite GPA, cumulative GPA, entrance exam scores, and completed general education courses, and sometimes residency or prior credentials. Many programs do not keep a traditional waitlist. FSU, for example, receives 300 to 600 applications per semester for up to 150 seats, so applicants who aren't admitted usually reapply.
5. Pre-clinical clearances

   Before clinicals, expect to complete a background check, a drug screen, and proof of required immunizations. Confirm each program's exact requirements and deadlines directly.

Other Florida Nursing Programs Worth a Look

Florida's nursing schools extend well beyond the programs ranked above, from Panhandle state colleges to private universities in South Florida. This directory is organized by region rather than by rank, and each entry lists the city, degree level, format, and the institution's reported average net price after grants and scholarships. Net price varies by individual aid package, so treat the figures as starting points rather than final costs.

Florida Panhandle

Northeast Florida

Central Florida

Tampa Bay Area

Treasure Coast

Southwest Florida

South Florida

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