Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, program lengths, and outcomes for every Tampa-area BSN option.
Where do Tampa hospitals hire the most new-grad BSNs right now? With the metro area adding over 5,000 healthcare positions in 2025 and large systems like BayCare and Tampa General expanding specialty units, demand for baccalaureate-trained nurses continues to push enrollment in traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks across the region.
Not all programs offer the same return: NCLEX pass rates at Tampa schools range from the high 70s to over 95%, and clinical hour requirements vary by more than 200 hours between programs. A program’s partnership with a Level I trauma center or dedicated oncology rotation often determines where graduates land their first jobs, making site-of-training as decisive as tuition price or graduation rate.
These rankings spotlight BSN programs within a 75-mile radius of Tampa that excel in affordability, student success, and career outcomes. Schools are assessed on net price, graduation rates, graduate earnings, and clinical training quality to help nursing candidates find a program that matches their goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | Veterans using medical experience toward BSN | |
The University of South Florida in Tampa provides multiple BSN pathways, including an Upper Division, Accelerated Second Degree, and a Veteran to BSN track, all anchored in the USF Health system with access to major Tampa Bay hospitals. USF reports an institution-wide graduation rate of 76.8% and a net price of $9,812. Graduates earn a median of $57,743 ten years after entry, with median debt of $17,988.
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| #2 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | Budget-conscious students seeking strongest ROI | |
The University of Florida's highly ranked BSN program offers traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks with top-20 national recognition and exceptional NCLEX pass rates. Institution-wide, UF graduates 91.1% of students, and the net price is $6,541. Median post-entry earnings reach $71,588, with a median debt of $15,000.
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| #3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | Well-rounded applicants seeking holistic admissions review | |
Florida State University's BSN is a 15-16 month consecutive-semester program with a holistic admissions process that weighs community engagement and work experience alongside academics. FSU's institution-wide graduation rate stands at 85.6%, net price is $11,297, and graduates see a median of $61,675 in earnings after a decade, with median debt of $18,000.
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| #4 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida International University in Miami offers Traditional and Accelerated BSN tracks as well as a Direct Entry MSN for foreign-educated physicians, featuring the state-of-the-art S.T.A.R. Center for simulations. FIU's institution-wide graduation rate is 74.4%, net price $9,288, with median earnings of $60,249 and median debt of $16,500.
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| #5 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of Central Florida delivers Traditional and Second Degree BSN options across three campuses, with a lock-step curriculum and strong NCLEX outcomes that exceed state averages. UCF reports an institution-wide graduation rate of 78%, a net price of $10,411, and median earnings of $58,308, with median debt of $18,190.
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| #6 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of North Florida's Prelicensure BSN and Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) pathway emphasize community-based clinical experiences and a structured admissions process. UNF has a 69.2% institution-wide graduation rate, net price of $10,154, and graduates earn a median $56,343, with median debt of $15,531.
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| #7 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Miami, a private institution in Coral Gables, offers Traditional, Accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and access to the University of Miami Health System. UMiami has an institution-wide graduation rate of 83.7%, net price of $37,244, median earnings of $75,328, and median debt of $17,500.
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| #8 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College in West Palm Beach provides a 25-month Associate in Applied Science in Nursing that combines on-campus and hybrid delivery with hands-on clinicals, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN. The institution-wide graduation rate is 87.5%, net price is $28,820, and median earnings are $41,200 with median debt of $19,000.
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| #9 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
Florida Atlantic University's BSN is a hybrid program with 840 clinical hours, CCNE accreditation, and a focus on caring science, leading to high NCLEX pass rates. FAU reports a 62.6% institution-wide graduation rate, a net price of $8,752, median earnings of $56,746, and median debt of $17,236.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes offers a hybrid BSN that spans 42 months, blending lectures, labs, and clinicals with a focus on clinical judgment and leadership. The institution-wide graduation rate is not published, net price is $29,211, and median earnings data are not available.
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Tampa nursing schools offer several routes to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, each with different time commitments and learning formats. The right choice depends on your prior education, work schedule, and career goals.
Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed. For 2025, the national average pass rate stands at 86.71%, while Florida trails at 81.82%. Tampa-area programs, however, consistently outperform these benchmarks. In 2024, the collective pass rate for Tampa RN programs was 92.48%, with 910 of 984 candidates succeeding.
These figures come from Florida Board of Nursing annual reports, and while statewide data shows room for improvement, Tampa's nursing schools are clearly delivering.
High pass rates often signal effective clinical training, but what about earnings and debt? Program-level earnings one year after graduation are not yet available for these schools. However, longer-term data offers clues. For example, USF nursing bachelor's graduates have a median earnings of $57,743 ten years after entering the program. That figure places them favorably among Florida nursing programs. Debt loads are also moderate: USF graduates hold a median debt of $17,998. Assuming typical repayment terms, that suggests manageable monthly payments for a new nurse's salary.
While similar outcome metrics for UT aren't included in this dataset, the school's repeated perfect NCLEX performance strongly implies graduates are well-prepared for the workforce and likely enjoy strong employment outcomes.
Nursing school admissions across Florida have become increasingly competitive, and Tampa’s top programs often have more rigorous standards than their universities’ overall acceptance rates suggest.
Selectivity numbers can be misleading if you look only at the institution-wide figures. For example, the University of South Florida accepts around 43% of all undergraduate applicants, but its Upper Division BSN track is highly competitive and typically admits a much smaller share. Successful applicants often exceed the minimum grade of C in all eight required prerequisite courses1, presenting GPAs well above the threshold. The University of Tampa, a private institution, maintains a dedicated nursing admission process with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a prerequisite GPA of 2.502, though its most recent entering classes averaged GPAs between 3.6 and 3.683.
Tampa’s BSN programs require a mix of prerequisites, standardized exams, and tight deadlines.
Because nursing programs often use holistic review, factoring in healthcare experience, essays, and recommendations, meeting the minimums does not guarantee a seat.
Accreditation ensures your degree meets national standards and qualifies you for licensure and future graduate study. Both the University of Tampa and USF’s BSN programs hold CCNE accreditation21, the most common credential for baccalaureate nursing education. Other Tampa-area programs may carry ACEN accreditation; either is recognized by the Florida Board of Nursing. When evaluating for-profit institutions like Chamberlain University (which offers a Tampa campus BSN), verify their accreditation status and inquire about clinical placement support, since for-profit models can vary in student services and tuition structure.
Beyond admissions metrics, consider how a program fits your life. Many Tampa nursing students work while attending school. Public universities like USF offer daytime, lock-step cohorts, which can be challenging for employed students. Private and for-profit options may provide more flexible schedules, evening or weekend classes, but often at a higher cost. Compare total tuition, financial aid, and the net price at nearby public universities, including the top nursing schools in Florida; USF’s in-state tuition is notably lower than private alternatives. Also look at graduation rates and NCLEX pass data (covered earlier) to gauge the program’s effectiveness.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area is home to major health systems such as Tampa General Hospital, BayCare, and AdventHealth, creating robust demand for new graduate nurses. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in this metro earned a median annual wage of approximately $78,000. With a cost of living below many coastal Florida cities, Tampa offers a compelling landscape to launch a nursing career.
Clinical rotations are where Tampa nursing students turn theory into hands-on practice, and the strength of a program’s hospital partnerships directly shapes that experience. In Tampa Bay, several BSN programs have established ties with the region’s largest healthcare employers.
Most accredited BSN programs in Tampa require between 700 and 800 hours of direct clinical experience, spread across acute care, long-term care, community health, and simulation labs. USF’s simulation lab provides high-fidelity scenarios that mirror real patient events, and many local programs use similar technology to supplement bedside training.
Strong partnerships often lead to job offers. Tampa hospitals frequently hire new graduates who performed well during their rotations, giving students a clear pathway from classroom to career. Choosing a program that rotates through a system you’d like to work for can be a strategic move, as it lets you network with nurse managers and prove your skills before graduation.
Still have questions about nursing programs in Tampa? Below you will find answers to some of the most common inquiries about BSN programs, costs, duration, and outcomes in the Tampa Bay area.
If the top-ranked programs didn’t quite meet your needs, consider these additional nursing schools in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. This directory includes BSN, ADN, and accelerated programs with details on format, net price, and standout features. Schools are listed alphabetically within each region.
