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.
These nursing programs are within reach for Port St. Lucie students, blending academic quality with regional clinical access. The list includes BSN, direct-entry MSN, and ADN options, with a special focus on schools that actively serve the Treasure Coast.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | Treasure Coast residents seeking public BSN | |
Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is deeply connected to the Treasure Coast, with a campus presence in St. Lucie County through Harbor Branch and clinical placements across Martin and St. Lucie counties. The hybrid BSN offers 840 hours of hands-on experience, a high NCLEX pass rate, and eligibility for holistic nursing certification. With in-state tuition and a reputation for caring science, FAU is the region's most integrated public nursing program.
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| #2 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | High-achieving traditional students | |
The University of Florida's College of Nursing is nationally ranked among the top BSN programs, with a traditional four-year track, an accelerated option for second-degree students, and an RN-to-BSN pathway. Based in Gainesville, it leverages the UF Health system and cutting-edge simulation labs, producing graduates with high NCLEX success and strong earning potential.
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| #3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | Holistic nursing applicants | |
Florida State University's BSN is a nationally accredited, 15-month campus-based program that admits students holistically, considering community engagement and work experience alongside a 3.0 GPA. Located in Tallahassee, it emphasizes diverse clinical placements and a rigorous, science-driven curriculum that prepares graduates for RN licensure and graduate education.
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| #4 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida International University offers traditional, accelerated, and a unique foreign-educated physician to BSN/MSN pathway at its Miami campuses. The college's S.T.A.R. Center simulation lab and diverse clinical network support high NCLEX pass rates, while the accelerated and FEP tracks provide fast entry to practice for career changers and international medical graduates.
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| #5 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of South Florida's College of Nursing provides a traditional upper-division BSN, an accelerated second-degree track, and a veteran-to-BSN pathway. With campuses in Tampa and surrounding areas, USF emphasizes competitive admissions, five-consecutive-semester pacing, and strong clinical partnerships that yield high NCLEX pass rates and solid graduate earnings.
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| #6 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of Central Florida's College of Nursing serves Central Florida with a traditional BSN, a second-degree BSN, and a strong reputation for exceeding national NCLEX averages. Students train at three campus locations and in diverse clinical settings, benefiting from a cohort-based, lock-step curriculum that builds leadership and clinical judgment.
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| #7 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of North Florida's Brooks College of Health offers a prelicensure BSN for transfer students and a direct-entry Freshman Admit Nursing track for high school graduates. Located in Jacksonville, UNF's community-based curriculum provides hands-on clinical experiences and a strong foundation for NCLEX success and graduate study.
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| #8 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Miami's School of Nursing and Health Studies delivers a traditional four-year BSN, a 12-month accelerated BSN, and a hybrid RN-to-BSN. With a CCNE-accredited curriculum, over 200 clinical partners, and access to the University of Miami Health System, the program boasts high NCLEX pass rates and strong alumni earnings.
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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 in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) that can be completed in 25 months. With hybrid delivery options and hands-on clinical training, the program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level nursing roles. It requires a TEAS exam and health clearances for admission.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International's hybrid BSN in Miami Lakes allows students to complete didactic coursework online while attending labs and clinicals in person. The 42-month program integrates liberal arts and sciences with a nursing core, emphasizing clinical judgment and ethical practice. Financial aid is available, making it a flexible option for working adults on the Treasure Coast.
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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, 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.
