Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program formats for nursing schools near Winter Park
The American Hospital Association projects a nationwide shortage of up to 124,000 nurses by 2025, a pressure acutely felt in Central Florida. Winter Park sits minutes from AdventHealth’s flagship campus and Orlando Health’s seven-hospital system, creating a high-density clinical training environment that few suburban markets can match. Students here can select from traditional four-year tracks, 12- to 18-month accelerated second-degree BSNs, or online-heavy RN-to-BSN programs, each with distinct admission thresholds and employer subsidy pathways. The challenge is not a lack of options, but calibrating program cost against likely NCLEX outcomes and hospital hiring pipelines.
This ranking highlights accredited nursing programs near Winter Park, FL, based on institutional metrics, program quality, and clinical access. Schools are ordered by their overall score, with top performers excelling in graduation rates, affordability, and NCLEX preparation.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | Pre-licensure students with local clinicals | |
University of Central Florida (UCF) offers both a Traditional BSN and a Second Degree BSN on its Orlando-area campuses. The institution-wide graduation rate is 78%, and the effective net price is approximately $10,411 per year. Students benefit from extensive clinical partnerships with major Central Florida health systems and NCLEX pass rates that consistently exceed state and national averages.
| |||||
| #2 | Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | $29,000/yr (net price) | Direct-entry BSN with strong employment outcomes | |
Florida Southern College provides a direct-entry BSN program with nursing courses beginning in the first year and clinicals starting by the second year. The institution-wide graduation rate is 71%, and the effective net price is around $28,551. Small class sizes, a 100% job placement rate, and NCLEX pass rates in the 90th percentile distinguish the program.
| |||||
| #3 | Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg, FL | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | Affordable online RN-to-BSN for working nurses | |
Lake-Sumter State College offers a campus-based ASN program and an affordable online RN-to-BSN pathway. The institution-wide graduation rate is 48%, and the effective net price is $5,855. The RN-to-BSN can be completed in as few as two semesters, with asynchronous classes and self-scheduled clinicals designed for working nurses.
| |||||
| #4 | Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Eastern Florida State College provides an ADN program and a Transition to ADN pathway for healthcare professionals. The institution-wide graduation rate is 52%, with an effective net price of $6,440. The ADN program features a Money Back Guarantee and a 98% job placement rate.
| |||||
| #5 | Daytona State College | Daytona Beach, FL | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Daytona State College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing with traditional and transition tracks. The institution-wide graduation rate is 43%, and the effective net price is $7,177. Admission is competitive based on a points system evaluating GPA and TEAS scores, with 180 students accepted per semester.
| |||||
| #6 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Valencia College provides an online RN-to-BSN completion program for registered nurses with an ASN. The institution-wide graduation rate is 48%, and the effective net price is $12,037. Rolling admissions and no application fee offer flexibility for working nurses.
| |||||
| #7 | Polk State College | Winter Haven, FL | $9,000/yr (net price) | ||
Polk State College offers an affordable hybrid RN-to-BSN and pre-licensure ASN paths, including a transition track for experienced healthcare workers. The institution-wide graduation rate is 35%, and the effective net price is $9,427. The RN-to-BSN costs under $4,500 total and takes as few as three semesters.
| |||||
| #8 | Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL | $9,000/yr | ||
Seminole State College of Florida delivers a fully online RN-to-BSN program that can be finished in as little as 12 months for around $5,200. The institution-wide graduation rate is 41%, with an effective net price of $8,970. Asynchronous coursework and flexible pacing cater to nurses balancing work and education.
| |||||
| #9 | AdventHealth University | Orlando, FL | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | ||
AdventHealth University, located in Orlando, provides a hybrid BSN and an ASN program rooted in a faith-based, whole-person care philosophy. The institution-wide graduation rate is 39%, and the effective net price is $30,135. Students train within the AdventHealth system, with an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and strong employment outcomes, including a 100% BSN job placement rate.
| |||||
| #10 | Taylor College | Ocala, FL | $20,000/yr | ||
Taylor College in Ocala offers a 90-week Professional Nursing associate degree with hybrid delivery. The institution-wide graduation rate is 27%, and the effective net price is $20,300. The program includes 495 clinical hours and day/evening class options to accommodate different schedules.
| |||||
Winter Park nursing students can choose from three distinct BSN pathways, each tailored to a different starting point. The traditional four-year track, an accelerated second-degree option, and an RN-to-BSN bridge offer flexibility for high school graduates, career changers, and working nurses.
The following table compares tuition and costs for BSN programs near Winter Park, FL, sorted from most affordable to least based on net price after aid. All highlighted schools are public institutions, which generally provide lower tuition than private options. Net price is an institution-wide average after grants and scholarships, not a guarantee for each student.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian River State College | $2,764 | $10,201 | $3,815 | $8,023 |
| Gulf Coast State College | $2,370 | $8,635 | $4,709 | $7,147 |
| Florida Gateway College | $3,100 | $11,747 | $5,364 | $6,992 |
| Miami Dade College | $2,838 | $9,661 | $5,463 | $9,252 |
| Lake-Sumter State College | $3,292 | $13,276 | $5,855 | $6,750 |
| Saint Johns River State College | $2,591 | $9,334 | $6,135 | $12,000 |
| Eastern Florida State College | $2,791 | $10,976 | $6,440 | $12,250 |
| University of Florida | $6,381 | $28,659 | $6,541 | $15,000 |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,879 | $17,324 | $8,752 | $17,236 |
| Florida International University | $6,565 | $18,964 | $9,288 | $16,500 |
A nursing program’s prestige matters little if its graduates cannot pass the NCLEX-RN or secure competitive wages. Winter Park students must weigh program reputation against concrete outcome data, especially when Florida’s overall pass rates trail the national average. Examining first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates offers a direct measure of how well a program prepares students for licensure. In 2023, Florida’s first-time pass rate was 76.75%, noticeably below the national rate of 88.56%, and the state ranked 47th in the nation for nursing education outcomes in 2024.2 The state’s nursing board also reports that certain specialized programs fell to only 35.06% in 20241, underscoring how outcomes can vary sharply by school and program type.
To see how programs near Winter Park perform, consult the Florida Center for Nursing’s annual NCLEX reports. These reports let you filter by county (Orange County for Winter Park) and program type. The University of Central Florida and Valencia College, for example, typically publish their latest pass rates on their nursing program websites under sections like ‘Accreditation’ or ‘Outcomes.’ Cross-checking both the state database and school-published figures gives the most accurate picture.
Once licensed, registered nurses serving the Winter Park area typically work within the broader Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) data for this region show RNs earn wages that are competitive for Florida, often exceeding state averages. Because pay varies by setting, hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, recent graduates should consult the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for updated median wages and job growth projections specific to the Orlando metro.
For the most current, school-specific job placement rates, reach out directly to program admissions offices or professional organizations like the Florida Nurses Association. While pass rates and salary data provide a solid foundation, combining them with firsthand insight from admissions staff can guide you toward a program that balances quality, cost, and long-term career success.
What are the admissions requirements for BSN programs near Winter Park, and how can I present a competitive application?
Most BSN programs near Winter Park require a strong foundation in science and liberal arts. Common prerequisites include Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, Statistics or College Algebra, English Composition, Psychology, Human Growth & Development, and Nutrition. Some programs, like UCF, also require General Chemistry and Introduction to Sociology. GPA expectations vary: Herzing University in Orlando sets a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, while the University of Central Florida requires at least a 3.0 overall and in prerequisite courses. However, competitive UCF applicants typically present GPAs between 3.6 and 3.8, so students with lower GPAs should consider programs with flexible cutoffs or pursue strong TEAS scores to strengthen their application.
Both Herzing University and UCF require the ATI TEAS. Herzing asks for a minimum composite score of 58, but the exam may be waived if you hold an overall GPA of 3.0–3.49 and a science GPA of 3.0 or higher. UCF looks for competitive TEAS scores in the high 70s to 80s or above. Many other nursing schools in the surrounding Orlando area accept either the TEAS or the HESI, so confirm each program’s testing preference before applying.
A complete application generally includes official transcripts from every college attended, TEAS or HESI scores, and a program-specific application. Most schools expect letters of recommendation and a personal statement. Upon acceptance, a background check and drug screening are standard for clinical eligibility. If you begin at Valencia College or Seminole State College, the DirectConnect to UCF pathway guarantees admission to the BSN program for A.A. graduates who satisfy nursing prerequisites. UCF also offers concurrent ASN–BSN tracks with Valencia and Seminole State, letting you earn both degrees simultaneously while completing nursing courses at UCF. Application deadlines vary, but many fall-start BSN programs in this region have priority deadlines between January and March, so applying early is strongly recommended.
Prospective nursing students in Winter Park often wonder about program quality, costs, and outcomes. Below are answers to common questions, grounded in school performance data and state resources.
