Compare accredited programs by cost, outcomes, and format — updated for 2026.
ADN programs may be easier to find in the immediate Boynton Beach area, but a BSN is now the hiring floor for new graduate RNs at hospitals like Bethesda Hospital East and JFK Medical Center. This shift makes finding an accredited BSN within commuting distance a practical necessity.
While few BSN programs sit inside Boynton Beach city limits, expanding the radius to 75 miles reveals options across Palm Beach County and beyond, including top nursing schools in Florida. Evaluating them means looking beyond location to NCLEX pass rates, net price, and clinical placement quality.
Pathways also matter: traditional pre-licensure BSNs, RN-to-BSN bridges, and ADN-to-BSN transfer tracks serve different starting points. With Palm Beach County's healthcare sector continuing to expand, choosing a program aligned with employer expectations will determine how quickly graduates land their first nursing role.
For aspiring nurses in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County offers strong local options alongside Florida’s top statewide programs. These schools are ranked based on institutional quality, affordability, graduate outcomes, and their clinical relevance to the South Florida region.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | Palm Beach County hybrid BSN students | |
Located just 15-20 minutes away in Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University’s BSN program is the most convenient public option for Boynton Beach residents. It features a hybrid format combining online coursework with 840 clinical hours, and graduates benefit from high NCLEX pass rates and eligibility for holistic nursing certification. FAU’s strong community partnerships in Palm Beach County provide clinical sites close to home.
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| #2 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | Associate degree seekers near Boynton Beach | |
Southeastern College’s West Palm Beach campus offers an Associate Degree in Nursing that is among the closest nursing programs to Boynton Beach. The 25-month program includes on-campus and hybrid delivery, requires the TEAS exam, and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN. With hands-on clinical rotations and a focus on holistic care, it’s a direct pathway into entry-level nursing in Palm Beach County.
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| #3 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | Career changers seeking accelerated BSN | |
The University of Miami in Coral Gables brings a prestigious private university option to South Florida, featuring CCNE-accredited BSN pathways. Its traditional four-year track, 12-month accelerated BSN for career changers, and hybrid RN-to-BSN program all leverage over 200 clinical partners and the UHealth system. Strong graduate earnings and a 94% retention rate underscore UM’s quality, though net price is considerably higher than public alternatives.
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| #4 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | ||
As Florida’s top-ranked BSN program nationally, the University of Florida in Gainesville offers unparalleled academic rigor and facilities. Students choose from Traditional, Accelerated, or RN-to-BSN tracks and benefit from high NCLEX pass rates, cutting-edge simulation labs, and research opportunities. Though far from Boynton Beach, UF’s reputation makes it a compelling choice for those willing to relocate.
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| #5 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | ||
Florida State University’s BSN in Tallahassee is a 15-16 month upper-division program emphasizing holistic admissions. It integrates classroom and clinical experiences across diverse settings and maintains high NCLEX pass rates. Like UF, distance from Boynton Beach is a consideration, but in-state tuition keeps it affordable.
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| #6 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida International University in Miami offers multiple BSN pathways plus a direct-entry MSN for foreign-educated physicians. With state-of-the-art simulation and strong NCLEX preparation, FIU is a major South Florida provider. Its urban Miami location puts clinical sites within a manageable drive for Boynton Beach students.
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| #7 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of South Florida in Tampa delivers BSN tracks for traditional students, second-degree seekers, and veterans. All pathways are competitive and span five semesters, with clinical experiences in the Tampa Bay region. USF’s moderate net price and solid graduate earnings make it a solid value.
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| #8 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of Central Florida, with campuses in Orlando and surrounding areas, stands out for its high NCLEX pass rates exceeding state averages. Its traditional and second-degree BSN programs are cohort-based and lock-step, ensuring rigorous preparation. For Boynton Beach students, UCF is within Florida but not local.
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| #9 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
In Jacksonville, the University of North Florida’s prelicensure BSN and freshman admit nursing pathway offer community-based learning and small cohorts. UNF emphasizes engagement with community agencies, and its lower net price and manageable debt levels appeal to cost-conscious students.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes offers a hybrid BSN program spanning 42 months, blending lectures, labs, and clinical hours. The small, for-profit institution emphasizes clinical judgment and leadership. While outcome data is limited, its South Florida location provides some geographic convenience for Boynton Beach students.
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Today’s nursing job market increasingly expects a BSN, reshaping how students in Boynton Beach plan their education. Whether you are starting from scratch or already hold a license, understanding the available paths is the first step.
No institution within the Boynton Beach city limits currently offers a traditional four-year pre-licensure BSN. Students who want this direct-entry route must commute to neighboring cities. Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, about 20 minutes north, runs a respected pre-licensure BSN. Additional options exist in Boca Raton and elsewhere in Palm Beach County. Because no Boynton Beach-based school currently hosts a traditional BSN, commuting is the norm. Factor in travel time, parking, and clinical placements that may rotate through facilities across the county.
A popular alternative is to begin with an associate degree and bridge to a BSN later. Bethesda College of Health Sciences, physically located in Boynton Beach, offers an ADN program that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN. International College of Health Sciences, also in Boynton Beach, runs an ACEN-accredited ASN program. From there, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN track, often fully online, and complete the remainder while working as a nurse.
Comparing the direct BSN and ADN-to-BSN paths involves a time-and-cost tradeoff. A traditional BSN takes four years of full-time study and typically costs more upfront, but you earn the bachelor’s in one continuous go. Starting with an ADN generally takes two to three years with lower initial tuition, then you add another 12 to 18 months online for the RN-to-BSN. The latter approach lets you start earning an RN salary sooner and may reduce total debt, though it pushes the BSN completion date further out.
For licensed RNs already holding an associate degree or diploma, RN-to-BSN programs are widely available online, making location nearly irrelevant. International College of Health Sciences delivers its RN-to-BSN entirely online, and Care Hope College in Boynton Beach also offers this pathway. Because coursework fits around a work schedule, many nurses in Boynton Beach advance their credentials without stepping foot on a campus.
The true cost of a nursing degree goes beyond published tuition. Net price, which reflects what the typical student pays after grants and scholarships, varies widely even among public Florida schools. Median debt figures add another dimension, showing the potential financial commitment.
The Florida Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-RN pass rate reports for every approved prelicensure nursing program in the state, which you can download directly from its website. Find the "NCLEX Pass Rates" section, which breaks down first-time pass rates by school and calendar year. This is the definitive source to compare outcomes across programs near Boynton Beach.
Most nursing schools post their own pass rate data on their nursing department pages. Search for terms like "NCLEX pass rate," "student outcomes," or "program effectiveness." Some schools provide historical trends, while others show only recent years. If you cannot locate the information online, a quick call or email to the program's admissions office will usually get you the latest figures.
Understanding context is key. For comparison, the Florida Board of Nursing reports the statewide average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate; in recent cycles, Florida's average has typically ranged between 80% and 85%. Nationally, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports an overall first-time pass rate of around 86% for U.S.-educated candidates. Rates above these benchmarks generally indicate strong exam preparation.
Recent Florida Board of Nursing reports show several programs near Boynton Beach have demonstrated strong outcomes. Florida Atlantic University's traditional BSN program has consistently delivered first-time pass rates in the mid-90s, while Palm Beach Atlantic University's BSN graduates have achieved rates often in the low 90s. Palm Beach State College's associate degree nursing program has exceeded the state average, typically landing between 85% and 90%. Keiser University and Southeastern College report rates solidly above 80%. For the most current numbers, always verify directly with the board or the school; rates can shift from year to year.
Registered nurses in the West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach metro earn a median annual wage of $85,000 to $88,000, with an hourly rate of $41 to $42 (2025 BLS data).1 Clinical placements in the area are a direct pipeline to these competitive salaries, as many students receive job offers from the facilities where they train.
The Nursing Consortium of Florida CCPS streamlines placements across Bethesda, JFK, Delray, and other facilities3, ensuring that Boynton Beach nursing students gain hands-on experience in settings where they might later work. These rotations often double as extended interviews; it is common for graduates to transition directly into staff RN positions at their clinical sites, leveraging familiarity with the hospital’s culture and patient care standards. With the metro’s median RN wage approaching $88,0001, the clinical-to-employment pathway offers both financial stability and a built-in professional network.
If you are exploring nursing education near Boynton Beach, you likely have questions about local program availability, typical expenses, and exam performance. This FAQ addresses key points to help you make an informed decision.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, these additional nursing schools across Florida offer diverse formats and specializations, from online RN to BSN tracks to hands-on ADN programs. Use this directory to explore more options for your nursing education.
A smart BSN search near Boynton Beach distills to a few essentials: accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, net price after aid, clinical site strength, and schedule flexibility. Programs with strong Palm Beach County hospital partnerships give you a direct line to RN roles paying a median $85,000-$88,000 in the metro area. When you compare schools, prioritize those that publish clear NCLEX results and offer campus visits to discuss financial aid. For students open to relocating or commuting farther, a statewide Florida nursing schools directory offers a comprehensive view of accredited programs across the state.
