Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for BSN and RN-to-BSN programs near Port St. Lucie
Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital’s $140 million tower and HCA Florida St. Lucie’s new freestanding ED illustrate the region’s healthcare growth. State data projects a 12% RN job expansion on the Treasure Coast by 2032, with BSN-prepared nurses expected to fill most acute-care roles.
Students in Port St. Lucie can access traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, and accelerated tracks from public and private schools within commuting range. Formats range from campus-based to hybrid and fully online, designed for working adults.
The median RN wage here exceeds $70,000, but a program’s NCLEX pass rate often determines how fast a graduate starts earning. Comparing tuition against board-exam results, not just brand, keeps the math honest.
The Treasure Coast offers several accredited nursing programs within commuting distance of Port St. Lucie, from local community colleges to public and private universities. Our ranking considers location, program quality, and student outcomes to help you find the best fit. Below are five standout schools that serve aspiring nurses in the region.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | $4,000/yr | Local students seeking hands-on ADN training | |
Indian River State College is a top pick for Port St. Lucie students, offering an ACEN-accredited Associate in Science in Nursing at its Pruitt Campus right in town. The program features a traditional two-year track and an accelerated Bridge to RN option for LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists. With a state-of-the-art simulation center, strong NCLEX pass rates, and a seamless online RN-to-BSN pathway, IRSC provides an accessible, high-quality foundation. Graduates are well-regarded by Treasure Coast healthcare employers.
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| #2 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | BSN seekers wanting a public university option | |
Florida Atlantic University’s BSN program is the most regionally aligned public university option, with a Treasure Coast service area and clinical placements across St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties. The CCNE-accredited curriculum emphasizes holistic, caring-based nursing with 840 hours of clinical and lab practice. As a limited-access, competitive program, it prepares graduates for strong NCLEX performance and graduate study. FAU’s hybrid format combines online coursework with on-campus and clinical components, making it a practical choice for commuters.
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| #3 | HCI College | West Palm Beach, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | Career changers needing flexible ADN schedules | |
HCI College’s West Palm Beach campus offers a convenient ADN program within an hour’s drive of Port St. Lucie. The ACEN-accredited curriculum covers wellness, critical care, and professional development across 72 credit hours, with online general education courses and on-campus nursing labs. Students benefit from small class sizes, day and evening schedules, and 24/7 tutor access. Clinical rotations take place in acute care, long-term care, and community settings, preparing graduates for entry-level RN positions.
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| #4 | Palm Beach Atlantic University | West Palm Beach, FL | $28,000/yr | ||
Palm Beach Atlantic University’s BSN program integrates a Christ-centered worldview with rigorous nursing education. The CCNE-accredited curriculum begins clinical practice in the sophomore year, covering community, multi-specialty, and psychiatric nursing. Students complete a one-on-one preceptorship in their final semester and achieve a 97% NCLEX pass rate. With well-equipped simulation labs, seasoned faculty, and over $3 million in scholarships annually, PBA provides personalized preparation for hospital and graduate school success.
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| #5 | Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Eastern Florida State College, located in Melbourne, offers an affordable ACEN-accredited ADN program with a unique Money Back Guarantee. Students train on Human Patient Simulators and complete clinicals throughout Brevard County, achieving a 98% job placement rate. The college also provides an accelerated Transition to RN track for healthcare professionals and a pathway to an online RN-to-BSN. With low tuition and strong outcomes, EFSC is a solid value for those willing to commute from Port St. Lucie.
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The table below compares tuition and net price at public nursing schools near Port St. Lucie. Net price is the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships, based on institution-wide data; your actual cost may differ. All schools listed are public institutions, which generally offer lower tuition than private alternatives.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg Net Price (After Aid) | Pell Grant Recipients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian River State College | $2,764 | $10,201 | $3,815 | 91.2% |
| Gulf Coast State College | $2,370 | $8,635 | $4,709 | 87.8% |
| Florida Gateway College | $3,100 | $11,747 | $5,364 | 93.1% |
| Miami Dade College | $2,838 | $9,661 | $5,463 | 96.8% |
| Lake-Sumter State College | $3,292 | $13,276 | $5,855 | 91.1% |
| Saint Johns River State College | $2,591 | $9,334 | $6,135 | 85.8% |
| Eastern Florida State College | $2,791 | $10,976 | $6,440 | 84.7% |
| University of Florida | $6,381 | $28,659 | $6,541 | 66.7% |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,879 | $17,324 | $8,752 | 72.2% |
| Florida International University | $6,565 | $18,964 | $9,288 | 81.3% |
NCLEX-RN pass rates are one of the most transparent indicators of how well a program prepares students for entry-level nursing practice. Because every aspiring registered nurse must pass the NCLEX to obtain licensure, a program's first-time pass rate directly reflects the strength of its curriculum, clinical training, and student support.
To evaluate any local program, it helps to know the baseline. In 2023, the national average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 88.56%, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Florida's statewide average was lower at 76.75%1, though rates have fluctuated in recent years. These figures set the context for what you can expect from schools in the Port St. Lucie area.
Detailed, program-level NCLEX data for schools within a 75-mile radius of Port St. Lucie is not always published uniformly. One standout is the BSN program at South University's West Palm Beach campus, which reported a 2025 first-time pass rate of 96.88%2, well above both the state and national averages. Other nearby programs may have pass rates that cluster closer to the state average, so it's essential to request the latest numbers directly from admissions offices or consult the Florida Board of Nursing's annual reports. Keep in mind that a one-year dip doesn't necessarily signal a weak program; look for consistent trends over two or three years.
A high NCLEX pass rate suggests that graduates are entering the workforce ready to succeed on their first attempt, which saves time, money, and anxiety. Programs with persistently low rates may struggle with curriculum alignment, faculty resources, or student remediation. When comparing nursing schools in Miramar, treat pass rates alongside other quality measures like clinical placement opportunities, faculty credentials, and student satisfaction. Don't rely on any single statistic, but do use NCLEX performance as a starting point to rule out programs that consistently fall significantly below the state average.
RN-to-BSN programs are designed for working registered nurses who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing and want to earn a bachelor’s degree. For nurses in Port St. Lucie, fully online options from Florida universities make it possible to advance without relocating or leaving a current job.
Several public and private universities in Florida offer RN-to-BSN pathways that are completely online. These programs accept licensed RNs and typically require 30 to 36 upper-division credits, with completion times ranging from 12 to 18 months of part-time study. Notable options include:
All of these programs prioritize flexibility and do not require campus visits, though clinical practicum hours are often completed in the student’s own community, with preceptor approval.
RN-to-BSN curricula build on existing nursing knowledge with coursework in leadership, community health, evidence-based practice, and informatics. Because students already hold RN licensure, clinical requirements are usually limited and can be arranged near Port St. Lucie. Most programs are asynchronous, meaning you can log in and complete assignments on your own schedule. Credit transfer policies vary; many programs accept a block of credits for your prior nursing education, reducing total time and cost.
Among the BSN programs ranked on this site, Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton offers a hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing that includes significant online coursework alongside in-person clinical rotations. While not a dedicated RN-to-BSN, its hybrid format may appeal to Port St. Lucie residents seeking some face-to-face instruction. Travel to FAU’s campus is roughly 80 miles, making weekly commutes manageable for some.
Students with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want to enter nursing quickly can consider accelerated BSN options. The University of Florida’s BSN program includes an accelerated track for qualified applicants, though it requires full-time, on-campus attendance in Gainesville. Currently, no accelerated BSN program is located in Port St. Lucie itself, but hybrid and online degree completion programs like the ones above remain the most practical route for local RNs aiming to earn a BSN.
BSN graduates in the Port St. Lucie area can expect strong earnings, with the local RN median wage at $70,520 in 2024. The top 10% of local RNs earn over $101,840, but pay varies by employer and experience. The chart below compares decade-long earnings and debt for programs popular among Treasure Coast students.
When comparing nursing programs, clinical placement quality often matters as much as classroom instruction, especially for students who hope to land a job on the Treasure Coast after graduation. Fortunately, Port St. Lucie’s expanding healthcare infrastructure has deepened relationships between schools and local hospitals, creating direct pipelines from training to employment.
Port St. Lucie’s population has grown steadily, and with it, demand for healthcare services. HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital recently underwent expansion, and Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital continues to add specialty services. The dedicated education hospital partnership at HCA guarantees IRSC students consistent clinical hours on-site,2 reducing competition for placements. These developments not only increase hiring but also create additional preceptor capacity for nursing students. For graduates, this means a vibrant local job market where employers frequently recruit from the programs they’ve partnered with, often leading to job offers before licensure.
Selecting the right nursing program requires careful consideration of cost, quality, and career goals. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions to help you make an informed choice.
With local RNs earning a median of $70,520 and top earners exceeding $101,840, nursing in Port St. Lucie offers solid returns. But the best path depends on balancing cost, NCLEX pass rates, program format, and access to strong clinical experiences.
Before you apply, compare net price (the amount you actually pay after grants) and recent graduate outcomes, which often tell a clearer story than the sticker price alone. If you’re weighing an associate degree against a BSN or considering an online RN-to-BSN, researching programs across Florida can open up more options. The right choice is the one that fits your timeline, budget, and long-term goals.
