Best Nursing Schools in Florida 2025: ADN, BSN & LPN Programs Compared
Florida is one of the best states in the country to pursue a nursing career. With 4.5 million residents over age 65 and a healthcare system employing over 200,000 registered nurses, the demand for trained nurses is enormous — and growing. Whether you're pursuing your LPN certificate, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Florida offers a wide range of programs at public and private institutions.
Nursing Career Outlook in Florida
The Florida Center for Nursing projects a shortage of nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035. New graduates in Florida typically earn:
- LPN/LVN: $45,000–$55,000/year starting; experienced can earn $60,000+
- RN (ADN or BSN): $58,000–$75,000/year starting in most Florida markets
- BSN advantage: Hospitals increasingly require BSN for clinical leadership roles and offer $3,000–$8,000 signing bonuses
Florida nurses are licensed through the Florida Board of Nursing and must pass the NCLEX exam. Schools with high NCLEX pass rates are the best indicators of program quality.
Types of Nursing Programs in Florida
- CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant): 4–8 weeks; entry point into healthcare; ~$1,000–$3,000
- LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse): 12–18 months; covers basic patient care; ~$8,000–$20,000
- ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): 2 years; qualifies for RN licensure; ~$5,000–$15,000
- BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): 4 years or 12–18 months (accelerated); ~$15,000–$60,000+
Top Nursing Schools in Florida
Miami Dade College — School of Nursing
Location: Miami, FL (Medical Campus)
Programs: ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), LPN, CNA, Practical Nursing
Tuition Estimate: ~$3,500–$8,000 (in-county)
NCLEX Pass Rate: Consistently above 85%
Website: mdc.edu/nursing
MDC is one of the largest nursing schools in the nation and Florida's most accessible. Their Medical Campus in Doral offers state-of-the-art simulation labs and strong clinical partnerships throughout the Miami-Dade healthcare system.
Valencia College — Nursing Programs
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: ADN, Practical Nursing (PN), CNA
Tuition Estimate: ~$3,500–$8,000
NCLEX Pass Rate: 85–90%
Website: valenciacollege.edu/academics/nursing
Valencia College serves the Orlando metro with one of the most competitive ADN programs in Central Florida. Their clinical partnerships with AdventHealth and Orlando Health provide students hands-on experience in two of Florida's largest healthcare networks.
Hillsborough Community College — Nursing
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: ADN, Practical Nursing, CNA, LPN-to-RN Bridge
Tuition Estimate: ~$4,000–$8,500
NCLEX Pass Rate: ~87%
Website: hccfl.edu/programs/nursing
HCC's nursing programs are well-integrated with the Tampa Bay healthcare market, including Tampa General Hospital and BayCare Health System. Their LPN-to-RN bridge track is a popular option for working nurses seeking advancement.
Broward College — Nursing and Allied Health
Location: Davie, FL (Fort Lauderdale area)
Programs: ADN, BSN, LPN, CNA, LPN-to-RN
Tuition Estimate: ~$4,000–$12,000 depending on program
NCLEX Pass Rate: ~88%
Website: broward.edu/academics/nursing
Broward College offers one of the most complete nursing pipelines in South Florida — from CNA all the way to BSN completion. Their ADN program consistently posts strong NCLEX pass rates and has robust clinical placements at Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare.
Palm Beach State College — Nursing
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Programs: ADN, Practical Nursing, CNA
Tuition Estimate: ~$4,000–$9,000
NCLEX Pass Rate: ~87%
Website: palmbeachstate.edu/academics/nursing
PBSC serves Palm Beach County's large healthcare market with affordable nursing programs and strong clinical partnerships with JFK University Medical Center and Bethesda Hospital.
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW)
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: ADN, BSN, LPN, CNA
Tuition Estimate: ~$4,000–$12,000
NCLEX Pass Rate: ~88%
Website: fsw.edu/nursing
FSW serves Southwest Florida, one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the state. Their clinical affiliates include Lee Health, one of the largest public health systems in Florida.
Daytona State College — Nursing
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Programs: ADN, BSN, Practical Nursing, CNA, LPN-to-RN
Tuition Estimate: ~$4,000–$12,000
NCLEX Pass Rate: ~86%
Website: daytonastate.edu/nursing
Daytona State serves Volusia and Flagler Counties with a comprehensive nursing pipeline. Their BSN completion program is particularly popular with working ADN nurses who want to earn their bachelor's degree while employed.
Keiser University — School of Nursing
Location: Multiple campuses statewide (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and more)
Programs: ADN, BSN, MSN, Practical Nursing
Tuition Estimate: $20,000–$45,000
NCLEX Pass Rate: ~85–90%
Website: keiseruniversity.edu/nursing
Keiser University is a Florida-based private university with nursing programs at campuses throughout the state. While more expensive than community colleges, Keiser offers year-round enrollment, flexible scheduling, and strong clinical placement networks.
How to Choose a Florida Nursing School
With so many options, focus on these key factors:
- NCLEX pass rate: Look for programs above 80%. The Florida Board of Nursing publishes annual pass rates for every program.
- Clinical placement quality: Ask which hospitals and health systems each school uses for clinical rotations.
- Program cost vs. financial aid: Community college ADN programs cost $5,000–$10,000; private BSN programs can cost $40,000+. Calculate your return on investment.
- Accreditation: Look for ACEN or CCNE accreditation for ADN and BSN programs respectively.
- Scheduling flexibility: Many Florida nursing students work as CNAs or patient care techs while in school — look for programs with evening and weekend options.
LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs in Florida
Already an LPN and want to advance to RN? Florida's community colleges offer affordable LPN-to-RN (or LPN-to-ADN) bridge programs that credit your existing training. You can typically complete the bridge in 12–18 months rather than starting the full ADN program from scratch. Learn more in our LPN-to-RN bridge programs guide.
Financial Aid for Nursing Students in Florida
- Pell Grant: Up to $7,395/year
- Florida Nursing Student Loan: Low-interest loans with forgiveness provisions for service in underserved areas
- HRSA Scholarships: Federal healthcare workforce grants for students in primary care programs
- Hospital tuition reimbursement: Many Florida hospitals will pay for your nursing degree if you commit to work for them after graduation
Explore more healthcare careers on our Registered Nurse career guide and browse Florida healthcare jobs.
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