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 New Port Richey residents, the best nursing schools combine strong academic reputations, affordable net prices, and clinical experiences close to home. We evaluated programs across the Tampa Bay metro and beyond, focusing on those that prepare graduates for Florida’s growing healthcare job market.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | Pasco County residents pursuing a public BSN | |
The University of South Florida in Tampa is the closest major public university offering BSN programs to New Port Richey, with clinical partnerships across the Tampa Bay region, including Pasco County. USF's College of Nursing provides multiple pathways, including an upper-division track, an accelerated second-degree option, and the V-CARE pathway designed specifically for veterans with medical training. High NCLEX pass rates and strong local employer demand make it a practical first choice for area students.
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| #2 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | High-achieving students seeking a top-ranked BSN | |
The University of Florida in Gainesville is Florida’s top-ranked BSN program and among the nation’s best, known for rigorous academics and exceptionally high NCLEX pass rates. With traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks, it serves a wide range of students, all benefiting from UF Health’s extensive clinical network and cutting-edge simulation facilities. Its strong research emphasis and graduate school preparation attract high-achieving applicants from across the state, including those commuting from the Tampa Bay area.
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| #3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | Pre-licensure students wanting a fast BSN | |
Florida State University offers a nationally accredited, full-time BSN in Tallahassee that can be completed in just 15 to 16 months, blending classroom learning with diverse clinical rotations. Its holistic admissions process considers GPA, community engagement, and work experience, making it a strong option for motivated students who already have their prerequisites. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN and benefit from FSU’s extensive alumni network.
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| #4 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing in Orlando is one of the state’s largest producers of BSN graduates, with campuses in Orlando, Cocoa, and Daytona Beach. The traditional program consistently posts NCLEX pass rates above state and national averages, and its second-degree accelerated option provides a fast track for career changers. UCF’s cohort-based, lock-step curriculum fosters a supportive learning environment, though students from New Port Richey should plan for commute or relocation.
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| #5 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida International University in Miami offers multiple BSN pathways, including a traditional upper-division program and an accelerated option for degree holders, plus a unique direct-entry MSN for foreign-educated physicians. The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences features the S.T.A.R. simulation center and a strong record of preparing nurses for graduate study. While its South Florida location is a considerable distance from New Port Richey, FIU remains an attractive in-state choice for students open to relocation.
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| #6 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of North Florida in Jacksonville provides a community-focused, full-time BSN for students who have completed lower-division prerequisites, as well as a freshman admit pathway that guarantees a nursing seat from day one. Clinical experiences are grounded in the Jacksonville area, emphasizing engagement with community health agencies. While the drive from New Port Richey is longer than some other options, UNF’s moderate class sizes and dedicated faculty create a supportive learning atmosphere.
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| #7 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Miami’s private, CCNE-accredited BSN programs are known for small classes, a low student-faculty ratio, and deep integration with the UHealth system. Students can choose a traditional four-year track, a fast 12-month accelerated BSN for career changers, or a hybrid RN-to-BSN for working nurses. Strong graduate earnings and a reputation for producing leadership-ready nurses make UM a competitive but high-value option, albeit at a significantly higher net price than public universities.
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| #8 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
Florida Atlantic University’s hybrid BSN in Boca Raton combines online coursework with 840 hours of direct patient care in diverse South Florida clinical settings. The program is CCNE-accredited and boasts strong NCLEX performance, and its caring-science philosophy and holistic nursing certification eligibility set it apart. FAU’s affordable net price for in-state students makes it a financially appealing option, though the distance from New Port Richey may require relocation for the in-person components.
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| #9 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College in West Palm Beach offers an associate degree in nursing that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level hospital or long-term care roles. The program blends on-campus and hybrid delivery over 25 months, with hands-on clinical experiences. Its net price is higher than public options, but the college serves a large number of Pell-eligible students and provides a direct pathway to RN licensure for those who prefer a career-focused, private-school environment.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes provides a hybrid BSN program that takes about 3.5 years to complete, combining general education, nursing core courses, and supervised clinical hours. Small class sizes and interactive learning are hallmarks of the program. While it lacks the institutional graduation and earnings data of larger universities, it offers an accessible private-school option for students who prefer a more personalized educational setting in South Florida.
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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.
Beyond the top picks, additional nursing programs across Florida offer BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN pathways, with details on format, location, and net price. Visit the Florida nursing schools page for a full directory.
