Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for every BSN option near Lakeland
Registered nurses in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro earned a median $81,080 in 2024, a figure likely to increase as Polk County adds healthcare jobs and an aging population drives demand. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) has become the de facto minimum for new hires at flagship hospitals, putting pressure on aspiring nurses to earn the degree.
Lakeland offers multiple BSN paths: traditional four-year programs for undergraduates, accelerated options for career changers with a prior degree, and RN-to-BSN tracks for working nurses. Each caters to a different entry point and timeline.
Admission remains competitive, with some programs requiring a 3.0 GPA, and NCLEX first-time pass rates vary widely among local schools. Cost, selectivity, and exam outcomes directly shape a new nurse’s earning potential and career mobility.
Choosing the right nursing program means weighing cost, outcomes, and fit. Topnursing.org ranks programs based on tuition, graduate earnings, and completion data to help you narrow your options. Below are the best nursing schools in Lakeland, FL for 2026, starting with those most accessible to students in Polk County.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | Central Florida career starters | |
USF’s College of Nursing in Tampa is the most geographically convenient public option for Lakeland students, with strong clinical ties to hospitals along the I‑4 corridor. The institution-wide graduation rate is 77%, and the net price for in-state students is $9,812. Multiple BSN pathways cater to different backgrounds, and the program’s NCLEX outcomes benefit from expanded state-funded simulation resources.
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| #2 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | Orlando-area clinical placements | |
UCF in Orlando operates a multi-campus BSN program that is a major pipeline for Central Florida employers, including those hiring in Polk County. The institution’s overall graduation rate stands at 78%, with a net price of $10,411 for residents. Known for exceeding state NCLEX averages, UCF’s cohort-based program combines strong science foundations with diverse clinical placements.
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| #3 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | High NCLEX pass rates | |
UF’s BSN program in Gainesville is nationally ranked and recognized as Florida’s top nursing program by U.S. News. Despite its distance from Lakeland, many graduates secure positions across the I‑4 corridor. The institution-wide graduation rate is 91%, and the net price is just $6,541, making it one of the most affordable high-value options in the state.
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| #4 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | ||
FSU in Tallahassee offers a 15-16 month accelerated BSN for students with prerequisite coursework. The overall graduation rate is 86%, and the net price is $11,297. While farther from Lakeland, graduates are employed statewide, and the program’s small cohort size allows personalized attention.
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| #5 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
FIU in Miami provides multiple BSN pathways and a unique pathway for foreign-educated physicians. The institution’s graduation rate is 74%, with a net price of $9,288. Its large in-state enrollment feeds South and Central Florida hospitals, though it is less directly connected to Lakeland employers.
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| #6 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
UNF in Jacksonville features a community-engaged BSN curriculum with semesterly admissions. The overall graduation rate is 69%, and the net price is $10,154. Although aimed primarily at Northeast Florida, it remains an affordable public option for Lakeland residents willing to relocate.
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| #7 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Miami offers a private, high-end BSN experience with over 200 clinical partners statewide. The institution’s graduation rate is 84%, but the net price of $37,244 places it at the high end. Its accelerated track takes just 12 months, and the RN-to-BSN is available in hybrid format.
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| #8 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College in West Palm Beach provides a 25-month ADN program with a campus or hybrid option. The graduation rate is 88%, and net price is $28,820. While not a BSN, it is a direct pathway to RN licensure and can serve as a stepping stone for RN-to-BSN programs later.
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| #9 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
FAU in Boca Raton offers a hybrid BSN program with 840 clinical hours and a caring science philosophy. The institution-wide graduation rate is 63%, and the net price is $8,752. Its high NCLEX pass rates and focus on holistic nursing make it a notable public option, though enrollment is limited access.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes provides a 42-month hybrid BSN program with a comprehensive 120-credit curriculum. Graduation rate is not reported, and the net price is $29,211. It is a private option for students seeking flexible scheduling with campus and online components.
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Lakeland offers nursing students multiple paths to a BSN, each tailored to different backgrounds and timelines. Whether you’re starting fresh, changing careers, or already hold an RN license, there’s a program structure designed to meet your needs.
These programs are built for students without a prior nursing license or degree. Florida Southern College and Southeastern University both provide four-year, on-campus BSN tracks that combine general education, science prerequisites, and clinical rotations. Admission is competitive, and students earn eligibility for the NCLEX-RN upon graduation.
Keiser University Lakeland offers a Fast-Track BSN that operates as a second-degree pathway for those who already hold a bachelor’s in another field. The program spans 16 months and requires 60 prior credits, specific science and general education prerequisites, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a B or higher in prerequisite sciences. Applicants must pass the Wonderlic SLE (minimum score 23), clear a background check, and interview. While not labeled an ABSN, its intensity and short timeline fill the same role for career changers. No other Lakeland-area school currently offers an accelerated or second-degree BSN.
Current RNs with an associate degree or diploma can enroll in Polk State College’s RN-to-BSN program. This track builds on existing nursing knowledge and typically accepts transfer credits, allowing working nurses to complete the bachelor’s degree more quickly, often in a hybrid or online format.
For students unsure about committing to a four-year program, Polk State also offers an associate degree in nursing (ADN/ASN). It serves as a direct path to RN licensure, and graduates can later bridge into the RN-to-BSN with advanced standing.
Lakeland’s BSN programs are primarily campus-based, but the RN-to-BSN at Polk State may include online or hybrid delivery, offering greater flexibility for working nurses. Traditional and fast-track options rely on in-person labs and clinicals, which are essential for hands-on skill development.
Sticker prices tell only part of the story. At public Florida universities, in-state tuition can be as low as $2,600, while out-of-state students may pay over $28,000. After grants and scholarships, however, many students pay a net price far below the listed rate, though that net price is an institution-wide average and not a guaranteed offer.
BSN programs in Lakeland, like those at top nursing schools in Florida, generally expect a strong academic foundation in the sciences. At Florida Southern College, the minimum GPA is 3.01, though the average admitted high school GPA runs higher at 3.762, with a mid-50% range of 3.4 to 4.13. Prerequisite courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, plus Chemistry with lab1. Students may have only one failure across these science prerequisites, and all must be completed before the nursing track begins1.
Not all programs require a pre-nursing entrance exam. Florida Southern does not mandate the TEAS or HESI2, but admission is far from automatic. The BSN is a direct-entry program2 with a firm application deadline of March 1. Current Florida Southern students apply internally each November during their first semester2. Transfer applicants need at least 20 credits from a regionally accredited institution1.
Lakeland’s nursing schools limit enrollment to maintain quality clinical placements. Florida Southern caps its BSN cohort1, so early application is important. When seats fill, qualified applicants may face a waitlist until the next cycle, a common reality among competitive programs.
Economic accessibility varies. The share of students receiving Pell Grants offers one proxy: a higher Pell percentage often signals broader affordability. (Specific figures for Lakeland programs are best checked directly through each school’s financial aid office.) Program selectivity does not always align with cost, and some of the most affordable options can also be the most competitive due to high demand.
Nursing salaries in the Lakeland, Winter Haven metro area are competitive, with a median annual wage that closely tracks Florida’s average but trails the national median. According to 2024 O*NET data1, registered nurses here earn a median of $81,080 per year, or $38.98 per hour. The 10th percentile wage is $64,600, while the 90th percentile reaches $98,490, illustrating the spread between early-career and experienced roles.
For context, the statewide median for Florida RNs is slightly higher at $82,8501, and the national median stands at $86,070. Lakeland’s proximity to larger metros means some local nurses commute for higher urban wages, but the lower cost of living in Polk County can stretch earnings further.
Job growth for registered nurses remains strong. The BLS projects 6% national employment growth for RNs from 2023 to 2033, driven by an aging population and increased demand for healthcare services. In Central Florida, hospital expansions and new outpatient centers continue to fuel hiring.
A BSN can open doors to higher-paying roles. Employers increasingly prefer or require a bachelor’s degree, and BSN-prepared nurses often command a premium over those with an ADN alone, with opportunities for advancement into leadership or specialized positions that further boost lifetime earnings.
Navigating nursing program timelines and requirements in Lakeland can raise many questions. Below are answers to frequently asked questions, with guidance to help you find the most current and accurate details.
Deciding between Lakeland's nursing programs comes down to program type, cost, and graduate outcomes. Traditional prelicensure, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks suit different backgrounds, while net price after aid, often significantly lower than sticker tuition, should drive your budget calculations. As you narrow your choices, compare NCLEX pass rates and recent graduate earnings side by side; the top-ranked schools on this page show strong first-time pass rates and competitive salaries within the metro area’s $81,080 median. For more programs across the state, check out the best best RN to BSN programs in Florida.
