Compare accredited BSN programs, costs, and outcomes for nursing schools serving the University Park and greater Miami area.
University Park, FL, sits minutes from two of the largest hospital systems in the Southeast: Jackson Health System and Baptist Health South Florida. That proximity drives steady demand for new registered nurses, but the path from neighborhood to nurse depends heavily on the strength of a candidate’s preparation.
Florida’s nursing schools supply a spectrum of BSN options: from traditional four-year on-campus programs to intensive accelerated tracks and hybrid online models. At least ten ranked programs draw students from the Miami area, each with its own cost structure, admission thresholds, and clinical placement networks. The challenge is sifting through that variety to find a program that aligns with both budget and career goals.
Ultimately, the numbers that matter most, first-time NCLEX pass rates and early-career earnings, vary widely across institutions, even within the same metro area. A school’s convenience doesn’t always translate into licensing momentum, and the debt-to-income calculus can shift dramatically once you look beyond the advertised tuition.
For University Park residents, the strongest nursing programs balance quality, convenience, and cost. The following top-ranked schools include both nearby Miami-Dade institutions and Florida's statewide powerhouses with strong degree pathways.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | Miami-Dade residents prioritizing cultural competence | |
Florida International University's main campus sits directly in University Park, making it the most convenient public option for local students. As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), it prepares a diverse nursing workforce through its Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN, and a unique direct-entry MSN for foreign-educated physicians. With an effective net price of $9,288 and strong clinical placements in Miami-Dade health systems, it combines affordability with deep community ties.
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| #2 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | Research-focused learners with strong clinical interests | |
The University of Miami in Coral Gables offers a research-intensive nursing education with close access to the UHealth system and over 200 clinical partners across South Florida. Its net price of $37,244 is offset by a $75,328 median earnings outcome, making it a high-return investment for career-focused students. Multiple pathways include a campus-based Traditional BSN, a fast-paced 12-month Accelerated BSN, and a flexible hybrid RN-to-BSN.
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| #3 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | Holistic-care enthusiasts in South Florida | |
Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in Boca Raton is known for its caring-science philosophy and holistic approach. The hybrid BSN program includes 840 clinical hours and yields strong NCLEX pass rates, serving the South Florida workforce. As a public institution with a $8,752 net price and HSI designation, it provides an affordable, community-engaged path into nursing.
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| #4 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes offers a hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing designed for small-cohort learning. The 42-month program emphasizes clinical judgment, leadership, and ethical standards, with 450 clinical hours. Its private, career-focused setting and newness to the region position it as an emerging local alternative.
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| #5 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University of Florida in Gainesville is the state's flagship nursing school, with a 91% graduation rate and a $6,541 net price for in-state students. Its BSN program is nationally ranked and offers traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks, all supported by UF Health's academic medical center. Admission is highly competitive, but graduates benefit from strong employer demand statewide.
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| #6 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | ||
Florida State University's BSN program in Tallahassee combines a 15-to-16-month upper-division sequence with holistic admissions that value community engagement. With a $11,297 net price and an 86% graduation rate, it prepares students for high NCLEX performance and rewarding careers throughout Florida.
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| #7 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of South Florida in Tampa offers multiple BSN pathways, including an Upper Division track for first-degree seekers, a 16-month Accelerated Second Degree, and a dedicated Veteran-to-BSN (V-CARE) option. Its $9,812 net price and 77% graduation rate make it a competitive choice for a variety of students.
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| #8 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of Central Florida in Orlando is one of the state's largest BSN producers, with a 78% graduation rate and a $10,411 net price. Its Traditional BSN is available at three campuses, while its Second Degree BSN runs in a fast-paced four-semester cohort, both leading to consistent above-average NCLEX outcomes.
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| #9 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of North Florida in Jacksonville offers a community-immersed Prelicensure BSN and a direct-admit Freshman Admit Nursing pathway. With a $10,154 net price and a 69% graduation rate, it emphasizes hands-on clinical experiences and small cohort sizes, preparing graduates for licensure and graduate study.
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| #10 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College's West Palm Beach campus provides a career-focused Associate in Applied Science in Nursing that can be completed in 25 months. With an 88% graduation rate and a $28,820 net price, it is a direct route to NCLEX-RN eligibility, particularly suited for students seeking a quicker entry into the workforce.
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A high NCLEX pass rate catches your eye, but it doesn't tell you whether graduates land jobs that repay the debt. Our scoring balances cost, completion odds, and earnings power so you can weigh value beyond a single number.
We pull institution-level net price and graduation rate from IPEDS, combined with program-level median earnings and median debt from College Scorecard. Each school earns a composite score, giving more weight to metrics that directly affect your financial future. Schools within a 75-mile radius of University Park appear, though institution-wide graduation rates and net price serve as approximations when program-specific data is not yet available, a limitation we flag, not hide.
These figures show the average net price, what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, at five public colleges with nursing programs near University Park. Because these are institution-wide averages, a BSN student's actual cost may differ. High shares of Pell Grant recipients (shown in parentheses) signal strong financial aid support for lower-income students.
Statewide averages can obscure dramatic differences between individual programs, some consistently rank among the top in Florida for first-time NCLEX-RN success, while others trail significantly. Understanding these numbers before you enroll can directly affect your licensure timeline.
In 2026, Florida’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 81.82%1, well below the national average of 86.71%2 and placing Florida 47th1 among states. This gap highlights the importance of selecting a program with a strong track record. A school’s recent pass rates (ideally from the last two to three years) signal whether its curriculum and clinical preparation align with NCSBN test plans.
The Florida Board of Nursing publishes annual first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved nursing program. When reviewing programs near University Park, keep these points in mind:
While the data shift yearly, a pattern of strong results is a reliable indicator of program quality.
Admission to a nursing program requires more than a completed application. Each school sets its own thresholds for GPA, prerequisite courses, and entrance exam scores, and these details shift annually. For the most accurate, up-to-date information, always consult each program's official website directly.
Sites for programs near University Park spell out exactly what you need. For example, Florida International University's College of Nursing (nursing.fiu.edu) posts current GPA minimums, required science prerequisites, and whether the TEAS or HESI exam is expected. Barry University (barry.edu/nursing) and Miami Dade College (mdc.edu/nursing) similarly list their admission checklists online, often with downloadable guides. Reviewing these pages before you apply prevents surprises and helps you target any missing coursework.
Application windows vary by program and semester. Look for a dedicated admissions calendar on each school's site rather than relying on third-party summaries. Many schools also host accelerated BSN (ABSN) tracks for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field; these full-time pathways commonly run 12 to 18 months. RN-to-BSN online programs, designed for working registered nurses, typically span two to three semesters and are often listed under a separate 'completion' or 'bridge' program page. Check each school's nursing portal for specific length and schedule details.
Accreditation ensures your degree meets licensure standards. Use the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) to confirm a program's status before you commit. For a broader view of how program formats and lengths compare, resources like best nursing schools in Florida can also be useful. When evaluating career prospects tied to a degree, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) provides occupational outlook data, but remember that local earnings will differ from national medians.
What can a registered nurse expect to earn in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach metropolitan area? According to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median annual wage for RNs in this metro was between $70,000 and $75,000, with a mean annual salary of $72,3001. Earnings vary with experience and specialty: the bottom 10th percentile earned about $52,000-$54,000, while the top 10 percent exceeded $100,0001. These figures reflect all RN roles across hospitals, clinics, and other settings in the Miami metro.
Florida’s demand for registered nurses is expanding much faster than the national average. State-level projections indicate RN employment will grow by 15-20% between 2022 and 2032, compared to a 5% national increase forecast for 2024-20342. An aging population and expanded healthcare coverage are fueling this need, making nursing a resilient career choice in South Florida.
Many of the best nursing schools in Miami, located near University Park, have deep ties with leading healthcare employers. Florida International University and Barry University, for example, partner with Jackson Health System, Baptist Health South Florida, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. These relationships give students exposure to diverse clinical environments and often serve as a pipeline to full-time positions after licensure.
Program-specific salary data for BSN graduates is not yet available from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. However, institutional data provides a useful benchmark: median earnings of all federal aid recipients 10 years after entering Florida schools in the program listings range from about $55,000 to over $75,000. While these numbers include graduates from many disciplines, they suggest that nursing graduates from these institutions can expect competitive entry-level wages that align with or exceed the metro median.
Choosing the right nursing school near University Park, FL, means weighing program quality, cost, location, and graduate outcomes. Below, we answer common questions to help you narrow down your options and take the next step toward a nursing career.
The nursing schools above represent the top-ranked programs accessible from University Park, but many other quality options exist across Florida. Below is a directory of additional BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN programs, including key details on format and net price. For a complete list of Florida nursing schools, visit the state page.
