Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, and program formats for BSN programs within reach of New Port Richey.
Nursing students in New Port Richey face an immediate tradeoff: Pasco-Hernando State College’s ADN program, located in town, delivers NCLEX pass rates above 97%, yet a BSN, requiring a commute to Tampa or St. Petersburg, has become the expected credential for hospital roles in the expanding Tampa Bay market.
BayCare and HCA are adding beds and outpatient centers across Pasco County, and their hiring practices increasingly favor bachelor’s-prepared nurses. Pre-licensure BSN options at USF Health and Galen College of Nursing offer traditional and accelerated tracks, while Rasmussen University’s New Port Richey campus provides RN-to-BSN paths for those already licensed.
The degree you choose now will shape your advancement timeline for the next decade, even as local demand outpaces the supply of new graduates.
For aspiring nurses in New Port Richey, a strong BSN program is within reach: the Tampa Bay region offers everything from an affordable public university to direct-entry private colleges and accelerated pathways. The schools below rank among the best near 34653, evaluated on factors like net price, NCLEX performance, and graduate earnings. Whether you're seeking a local campus or an online completion, this list helps you compare quality options.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | Tampa Bay's flagship public nursing option | |
As the nearest major public research university to New Port Richey, the University of South Florida offers multiple BSN pathways on its Tampa campus, including an upper-division program for first-degree students and an accelerated second-degree option for career changers. Clinical rotations draw on major Tampa Bay health systems, providing graduates strong local employer connections. The College of Nursing also runs a veteran-focused V-CARE pathway, making it a particularly supportive choice for military-affiliated students in the Pasco area.
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| #2 | Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | New Port Richey's local RN pathways | |
Located right in New Port Richey, Pasco-Hernando State College provides affordable ADN pathways and an online RN-to-BSN completion program, making it the most convenient local option for Pasco County students. Its generic ADN program admits small cohorts (24-40 students) and offers a paramedic transition track with 11 advanced credit hours, while the LPN transition pathway streamlines advancement for practical nurses. With in-state tuition well below university prices and a recent NCLEX pass rate of 95.9% for the transition cohort, PHSC offers a cost-effective on-ramp to registered nursing.
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| #3 | Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | $29,000/yr (net price) | Private college with 100% job placement | |
Florida Southern College's direct-entry BSN in Lakeland immerses students in nursing coursework from year one, with over 500 clinical hours and a 100% job placement rate for graduates. The private liberal arts college boasts small class sizes and NCLEX pass rates consistently in the 90th percentile, attracting students who want early clinical exposure and strong employer relationships with elite hospitals. Though located about an hour from New Port Richey, its outcomes make it a compelling choice for students willing to relocate or commute.
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| #4 | Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | $24,000/yr | ||
This faith-based college in Temple Terrace offers a CCNE-accredited BSN on a small campus just north of Tampa, with clinical placements across the bay area. The program integrates Christian principles into its curriculum and emphasizes holistic care, with up to 50% of clinical hours in simulation labs. Its modest size and dedicated faculty make it ideal for students seeking a nurturing, values-driven nursing education within commuting distance of New Port Richey.
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| #5 | The University of Tampa | Tampa, FL | $36,000/yr | ||
The University of Tampa's four-year BSN program is designed for students entering nursing without prior college credit, featuring a 125-credit curriculum and annual global health travel courses. With a 95% NCLEX pass rate that consistently outpaces state and national averages, UTampa's downtown campus offers strong clinical partnerships in the central Tampa area. While private tuition is higher, the program's strong licensure outcomes and study-abroad components appeal to students seeking a traditional residential nursing experience.
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| #6 | Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay | Saint Petersburg, FL | $28,000/yr | ||
Galen's Tampa Bay campus in St. Petersburg offers a three-year accelerated BSN for students new to nursing, with four start dates per year and a free application process. The for-profit college emphasizes accessibility through multiple admissions cycles and support services like on-demand tutoring. For New Port Richey students, it provides a faster, no-frills pre-licensure route with a straightforward timeline.
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| #7 | Polk State College | Winter Haven, FL | $9,000/yr (net price) | ||
Based in Winter Haven, Polk State College offers an affordable online RN-to-BSN and a competitive on-campus ADN program with multiple start dates, drawing students from across central Florida. The RN-to-BSN can be completed in as few as three semesters for under $4,500 total tuition, making it one of the lowest-cost BSN completion options in the region. While Winter Haven is a longer commute from New Port Richey, the low price point and ACEN accreditation attract cost-conscious working RNs.
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| #8 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | $4,000/yr (net price) | ||
HCC's Nursing AS provides an ACEN-accredited pathway to RN licensure across three Tampa-area campuses, featuring flexible cohort scheduling and a pathopharmacology-integrated curriculum. The 72-credit program can be completed in four semesters and includes clinical simulation labs and a capstone. With low in-district tuition, it is an accessible starting point for New Port Richey commuters before bridging to an RN-to-BSN program.
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| #9 | St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL | $1,000/yr | ||
St. Petersburg College delivers a fully online CCNE-accredited RN-to-BSN and a hybrid ADN program with strong track records, including a 90% NCLEX pass rate and 91.7% job placement for ADN graduates. The college was recognized as a Tampa Bay Times 'Best of the Best' for nursing education. While the campus is in Pinellas County, the online BSN makes it accessible to New Port Richey RNs seeking advancement without the commute.
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| #10 | Galen College of Nursing | Sarasota, FL | $28,000/yr | ||
Galen's Sarasota campus mirrors the Tampa Bay location, offering a three-year accelerated BSN and a two-year ADN for students starting from scratch. With multiple start dates and a free application, it serves as an alternative for those on the southern edge of the Tampa Bay region. However, the commute from New Port Richey is considerably longer, making the Tampa Bay campus the more accessible Galen option for most Pasco residents.
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The table below compares nursing programs near New Port Richey, from ADN to BSN, sorted by net price. Indian River State College offers the most affordable net price at $3,815, while Lake-Sumter State College delivers the strongest return on investment with a 10-year earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.9. Keep in mind that net price is an institution-wide average for aid recipients and actual costs will vary based on your financial aid package. Program-level early career earnings are not yet available; the earnings shown are 10-year medians from the College Scorecard.
| School | Program | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Format | 10-Year Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian River State College | Associate in Science Degree in Nursing | $2,764 | $10,201 | $3,815 | On campus | $38,315 |
| Gulf Coast State College | Associate of Science Degree - Nursing | $2,370 | $8,635 | $4,709 | On campus | $38,359 |
| Florida Gateway College | Associate of Science in Nursing | $3,100 | $11,747 | $5,364 | On campus | $37,894 |
| Miami Dade College | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $2,838 | $9,661 | $5,463 | Hybrid | $40,654 |
| Lake-Sumter State College | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) | $3,292 | $13,276 | $5,855 | Online | $39,876 |
| Saint Johns River State College | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $2,591 | $9,334 | $6,135 | Online | $41,728 |
| Eastern Florida State College | Associate Degree Nursing | $2,791 | $10,976 | $6,440 | On campus | $37,195 |
| University of Florida | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $6,381 | $28,659 | $6,541 | On campus | $71,588 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $4,879 | $17,324 | $8,752 | Hybrid | $56,746 |
| Florida International University | Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $6,565 | $18,964 | $9,288 | On campus | $60,249 |
Pre-licensure BSN programs near Tampa Bay typically require 120 credit hours and 700-900 clinical hours, while RN-to-BSN pathways average 30-36 credits with no additional clinicals for licensed nurses. The right choice depends on where you start: no nursing license yet, or an active RN license looking to advance.
Pre-licensure tracks are built for students entering nursing for the first time. Over four academic years (or faster in accelerated formats), you take foundations in anatomy, pharmacology, and patient care, paired with supervised hospital rotations. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn initial licensure. Because credit loads are heavy and in-person attendance is standard, these programs work best for those who can commit to a full-time, campus-based schedule.
For nurses who already hold an ADN or diploma and an active RN license, the RN-to-BSN path bridges to a bachelor’s degree with far fewer credits. Most Florida programs wrap up in 12 to 18 months and often run online or in hybrid formats, letting you continue working while studying. Coursework focuses on leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice rather than repeating basic clinical skills.
Exact credit-hour and clinical requirements vary by school, so visit each program’s website (Rasmussen’s page, USF Health, Keiser’s catalog) for current details. Use the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) for broad career comparisons, but rely on admissions offices for program specifics. The Florida Board of Nursing outlines state licensure steps, and the Florida Nurses Association offers pathway guidance. Comparison tools on sites like Nursing.org or AllNursingSchools let you filter by state and program type, but always verify directly with the school before enrolling.
Nursing graduates from New Port Richey-area programs consistently outperform state and national averages on the NCLEX-RN.
Pasco-Hernando State College’s ADN program, for example, posted a 97.27% first-time pass rate, handily surpassing Florida’s 81.82% state average and the national 86.71% (2024 data)1. The University of South Florida’s BSN graduates achieve a 97% first-time pass rate, mirroring the strong performance of Florida’s State University System as a whole (94%)2. For students considering private institutions, Rasmussen University and Keiser University also report outcomes that exceed state benchmarks, though individual campus figures should be confirmed directly.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, an accelerated BSN lets you pivot into nursing quickly. Near New Port Richey, three schools offer this path: - Rasmussen University: On-campus accelerated second-degree BSN at the New Port Richey campus. - Keiser University: Accelerated BSN option at the Tampa/Clearwater campus. - University of South Florida: Second-degree accelerated BSN in Tampa. All three programs build on your existing degree, compressing nursing coursework into a rigorous, full-time schedule.
Rasmussen’s traditional BSN is designed as a 3-year program, including prerequisites. For students who qualify for the accelerated track, the program can be completed in just 18 months. This timeline assumes you enter with a completed bachelor’s degree, allowing you to focus solely on nursing core courses. By comparison, USF’s accelerated BSN takes about 16 months, and Keiser’s accelerated nursing track spans 12, 18 months depending on transfer credits. A standard 4-year BSN or an associate degree (roughly 2 years) remains the route for those starting college for the first time.
Registered nurse pay in the New Port Richey area reflects the competitive Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan market. Here's how local earnings stack up against statewide and national benchmarks.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions prospective nursing students have about programs in the New Port Richey, Florida area. Whether you are exploring ADN, BSN, or accelerated pathways, this FAQ covers key details on local schools and timelines.
