Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, outcomes, and admission requirements across Miami's leading BSN programs.
Registered nurses in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area earned a mean annual wage of $81,810 in 2022, reflecting the region's strong demand for BSN-prepared nurses.
Entry-level nursing education costs vary enormously: among the 28 programs ranked here, effective net price ranges from under $4,000 at public colleges to nearly $38,000 at private universities. That gap forces a difficult calculus between immediate affordability and the clinical networks, NCLEX support, and hiring preferences that some higher-priced schools offer. In a market where top employers routinely screen for a bachelor's degree, the lowest sticker price does not guarantee the strongest career launch.
We evaluated accredited nursing programs within reach of Miami to identify the strongest options for aspiring nurses. Our ranking considers key quality and value metrics to help you find a program that fits your goals and budget.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | Miami students seeking strong NCLEX outcomes | |
Located right in Miami, Florida International University’s traditional BSN is a full-time upper-division program that combines rigorous academics with high-tech simulations in the STAR Center. FIU reports a strong NCLEX pass rate for its Miami campus, and the university holds a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation, reflecting the diverse community it serves. With an average net price around $9,300 and median graduate earnings of $60,249 ten years after entry, FIU offers an affordable path to nursing backed by solid returns.
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| #2 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | Career changers wanting a fast-paced BSN | |
The University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies is a premier private institution in Coral Gables, offering a traditional four-year BSN and an accelerated 12-month track. UM nursing graduates earn a median $75,328 ten years after entry, and the school's extensive network of over 200 South Florida clinical partners ensures deep immersion in Miami’s healthcare landscape. Though net price is higher at roughly $37,200, the strong ROI and top-tier national reputation make it a standout choice.
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| #3 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | High-value public education with elite job placement | |
Though based in Gainesville, the University of Florida’s BSN program ranks first in Florida and among the nation’s top 20. It delivers high NCLEX pass rates and a low net price around $6,500, making it a superb value for Florida residents. Multiple entry paths, traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN, offer flexibility, and graduates see median earnings of $71,588 ten years after entry.
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| #4 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | ||
Florida State University’s BSN in Tallahassee offers a rigorous four-semester upper-division curriculum with extensive clinical placements. The program's holistic admissions process considers community engagement, and graduates earn a solid median income of $61,675 ten years later. With a net price around $11,300 and an institution-wide graduation rate of 86%, FSU provides a reputable and affordable nursing education for Floridians.
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| #5 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of South Florida in Tampa provides multiple BSN pathways, including an Upper Division track for non-nurses and an accelerated second-degree option. The program emphasizes team-based care and offers flexible start dates, while the average net price of $9,800 and median graduate earnings of $57,743 make it a cost-effective choice. USF’s veteran-specific V-CARE pathway further broadens access.
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| #6 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
University of Central Florida’s traditional BSN is available at three Central Florida campuses and consistently exceeds state and national NCLEX-RN averages. UCF holds HSI designation and offers an accelerated second-degree track for career changers. The net price of about $10,400 and median graduate earnings of $58,308 make it an attractive public option within a large, diverse university.
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| #7 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
University of North Florida in Jacksonville offers a Prelicensure BSN that blends community-based learning with hands-on clinicals, as well as a direct-admit Freshman Admit Nursing track. With a net price of $10,154 and median graduate earnings of $56,343, UNF provides solid value. The nursing program admits students each semester and supports progression with a dedicated GPA requirement.
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| #8 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College’s West Palm Beach campus offers an Associate of Science in Nursing, a 25-month program mixing classroom and clinical training. Though not a BSN, it provides a direct path to RN licensure. The college reports an 87.5% institution-wide graduation rate, and with a net price of $28,820, it serves many Pell-eligible students. Median earnings of $41,200 ten years after entry reflect typical returns for two-year nursing degrees in the region.
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| #9 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton is a public HSI that offers a hybrid BSN combining online learning with 840 hours of clinical experience. The program emphasizes holistic nursing and graduates are eligible for AHNCC certification. With a low net price of $8,752 and median graduate earnings of $56,746, FAU is a budget-friendly option for South Florida students within commuting distance of Miami.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes provides a small-cohort, hybrid BSN spanning 42 months. The program emphasizes interactive learning, clinical judgment, and leadership, making it suitable for students seeking a personalized educational environment. While long-term earnings data are not yet reported, the school’s local setting and flexible hybrid format extend access to BSN education within the Miami metro area.
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To identify the strongest nursing programs in Miami, we focused on four measures that give students a well-rounded picture of quality, affordability, and return on investment.
Choosing the right nursing pathway in Miami depends on your background, timeline, and career goals. Here’s how the three main options compare in duration, credits, and degree outcome.
Nursing school admission in Miami has grown more selective as programs standardize on entrance exams and tighten prerequisite timelines. While each school sets its own minimums, accepted student profiles often far exceed them.
Most Miami BSN programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to 3.25. Public options like Florida International University (FIU) and Miami Dade College (MDC) use a 3.25 floor, while Barry University’s traditional BSN asks for a 3.0. At the University of Miami, admission is holistic and does not publish a specific GPA cutoff, but competitive applicants typically present strong academic records. In practice, the average accepted GPA at MDC and FIU hovers around 3.7, so meeting the minimum is just the starting point.
Prerequisites are nearly identical across schools. All programs expect college-level Anatomy and Physiology (often two semesters with labs), Microbiology with lab, Statistics, and Developmental Psychology. Grades of C or higher are standard, and some institutions enforce a recency window on science courses – MDC and FIU require that A&P and Microbiology be completed within 10 years of entry. Barry University goes further by prohibiting repeats in science prerequisites and capping combined withdrawals and failures at five.
A standardized entrance exam is mandatory at almost every Miami BSN program. The ATI TEAS Version 7 is the most common, used by MDC, FIU, and Barry. Minimum composite scores are 70% for MDC and FIU (with a 62% minimum in the science subsection), while Barry sets a lower composite floor of 62% but still requires at least 50% in each section and limits applicants to three exam attempts. The University of Miami does not require the TEAS or HESI; instead, it relies on SAT or ACT scores submitted during the undergraduate admission process.
Nursing cohorts in Miami are regularly more selective than the university’s overall acceptance rate. MDC’s traditional BSN, for example, admits only a fraction of its applicant pool, and both FIU and Barry run a competitive review of transcripts, exam scores, and sometimes additional factors like volunteer hours or healthcare experience. Deadlines depend on the school’s start term. MDC requires that all prerequisites be finished by the end of the spring semester for a fall start, or by the end of summer for a spring start. FIU uses the centralized NursingCAS application, so candidates should confirm the target deadline directly through that portal. Because seats fill quickly, early completion of prerequisites and exam registration is essential.
Paying for nursing school in Miami is more manageable when you know where to find Florida-specific financial aid and local hospital support. Many students overlook financial aid programs designed specifically for nursing majors in Florida.
Start with the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. Nursing majors who meet the academic criteria can receive funding that may cover a significant portion of tuition at public institutions. Check the Florida Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website for the latest eligibility specifics, as requirements can shift. The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) is another need-based option available to undergraduate nursing students at eligible schools; the application process runs through your college's financial aid office.
Major local employers often invest in the nursing pipeline. Jackson Health System and Baptist Health South Florida both offer tuition reimbursement or scholarship programs for nursing students. These opportunities may not appear in general scholarship databases, so visit each hospital's official careers or education page directly. Terms often include a work commitment after graduation.
The Florida Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association Florida chapter maintain lists of state and local scholarships. These professional groups frequently have funds earmarked for nursing students, including awards for those in BSN programs.
Finally, reach out to the financial aid offices at the Miami nursing schools you are considering. They can tell you about institutional scholarships, grant programs, and partnerships with local healthcare providers that are not widely publicized. A short phone call or email can uncover thousands in aid.
The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area employed 55,200 registered nurses in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a mean annual wage of $81,810.1
The $81,810 mean annual wage covers all RNs, from entry-level staff to experienced specialists, and reflects the region's strong demand for nursing professionals. While new BSN graduates typically start below the mean, the overall wage level signals long-term earning potential.
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard does not yet publish median earnings data for BSN graduates from Miami schools one year or four years after completion. This gap is common when programs have small cohorts or recent launches, delaying federal reporting. As data accumulates, future Scorecard updates may provide a finer view of early-career outcomes for local nursing alumni.
While program-specific earnings are unavailable, institutional earnings data offer a broad benchmark. For example, University of Miami reports median alumni earnings of $75,328 ten years after entry, and Florida International University reports $60,249. These figures represent all graduates, not solely nursing students, but the high outcomes at these schools suggest their nursing graduates enter a solid job market. Strong NCLEX pass rates and extensive clinical training further support swift employment. Scorecard data also does not yet report the share of graduates working within one year, but the large RN workforce and ongoing healthcare expansion in South Florida indicate that newly licensed BSN holders find opportunities quickly in hospitals, clinics, and community settings.
Find quick answers to common questions about nursing programs in Miami. Whether you're comparing costs, admission requirements, or program types, this FAQ helps you make an informed decision.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Florida offers many additional reputable nursing schools. This directory highlights BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN options across the state, including programs in South Florida, Central Florida, and beyond. For a complete statewide overview, check the Florida nursing schools page.
