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.
Winter Park nursing students can choose from nationally renowned universities, local institutions with deep Orlando hospital ties, and private colleges offering flexible formats. This list ranks the top prelicensure and completion programs within commuting distance, emphasizing affordability, clinical training, and graduate outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | Winter Park students seeking Orlando clinicals | |
Just 10 minutes from Winter Park, the University of Central Florida's College of Nursing is the most convenient option for Orlando-area students. The program offers both a traditional BSN and an accelerated second-degree pathway, with clinical rotations at leading Central Florida hospitals including AdventHealth and Orlando Health. UCF's Nursing graduates consistently exceed state and national NCLEX-RN pass rates, making them highly sought-after by regional employers. The institution reports an overall graduation rate of 78% and a net price of $10,411.
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| #2 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | High-achievers pursuing selective nursing program | |
The University of Florida's BSN program is recognized as the top-ranked in Florida and among the top 20 nationally by U.S. News. Based in Gainesville, UF provides a rigorous curriculum with tracks for traditional students, career changers, and RNs seeking a BSN completion. The institution-wide graduation rate is an impressive 91%, and with a net price of just $6,541, it offers exceptional value. Graduates benefit from high median earnings of $71,588, reflecting strong career outcomes.
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| #3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | Future nurses valuing holistic admissions review | |
Florida State University's College of Nursing offers a 15-16 month BSN program that takes a holistic approach to admissions, weighing community engagement and work experience alongside GPA. Located in Tallahassee, the program combines classroom learning with diverse clinical placements across North Florida. The university reports an overall graduation rate of 86% and a net price of $11,297. Graduates earn a median of $61,675 and carry an average debt of $18,000.
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| #4 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of South Florida's College of Nursing in Tampa offers multiple BSN pathways, including an upper-division track for non-nurses, an accelerated second-degree option, and a dedicated veteran-to-BSN program. Admission is competitive, and the curriculum emphasizes consecutive semesters with hands-on practice. The institution's overall graduation rate stands at 77%, net price at $9,812, and median graduate debt at $17,988.
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| #5 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida International University in Miami provides a traditional BSN, an accelerated option for degree holders, and a unique foreign-educated physician to BSN/MSN pathway. Students train in the S.T.A.R. Center simulation labs and benefit from South Florida's large healthcare network. The institution has a graduation rate of 74%, a net price of $9,288, and a median graduate debt of $16,500.
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| #6 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Miami, a private research university in Coral Gables, features CCNE-accredited BSN programs, including a traditional four-year track, a 12-month accelerated option, and a hybrid RN-to-BSN. Clinical partnerships include the University of Miami Health System and over 200 sites. While the net price is $37,244, the institution reports a strong graduation rate of 84% and high median earnings of $75,328 for alumni.
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| #7 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of North Florida in Jacksonville offers a prelicensure BSN for transfer students and a freshman admit nursing track that provides direct entry from high school. Both emphasize community-based learning and prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN. The institution's overall graduation rate is 69%, net price is $10,154, and median debt for graduates is $15,531.
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| #8 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, located in Boca Raton, delivers a hybrid BSN program with 840 clinical hours grounded in a caring science philosophy. The curriculum is designed to produce holistic, certified nurses. The institution-wide graduation rate is 63%, net price is $8,752, and median alumni earnings reach $56,746.
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| #9 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College's West Palm Beach campus offers an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing that can be completed in 25 months through on-campus and hybrid delivery. The program focuses on practical skills for entry-level nursing, and admission requires the TEAS exam. The institution reports a graduation rate of 88%, net price of $28,820, and median earnings of $41,200 for alumni.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International, a small private institution in Miami Lakes, provides a hybrid BSN program that spans 42 months and integrates lectures, labs, and clinical hours. The curriculum emphasizes clinical judgment and leadership. Graduation rate and earnings data are not available; the net price is $29,211.
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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.
Our top-10 list covers the highest-ranked programs, but there are many other strong nursing schools within reach of Winter Park. Use this directory to explore additional BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN options across Florida. For a broader search, the Florida state nursing schools page lets you filter by degree and location.
