Compare costs, formats, prerequisites, and outcomes for every accelerated BSN program in Florida
Graduates of Florida’s top public and private accelerated BSN programs, such as the University of Florida and the University of Miami, report median earnings north of $71,000 ten years after entry. That income mirrors the state’s massive healthcare infrastructure, where hospitals from Miami to Jacksonville are competing for baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses.
These programs are built for career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to earn a BSN in 12 to 18 months. Campus, hybrid, and limited online formats keep students tied to clinical hubs in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
But with a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate that slipped to 84.9% in 2025, the lowest among all states, not every accelerated track delivers equal preparation. Choosing well means verifying licensure outcomes, clinical placement depth, and whether the program’s cost translates into a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio.
ABSN programs in Florida offer a fast-paced path to a nursing career for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Here are the key details you need to know before applying.
Florida houses a wide range of accelerated BSN programs for degree holders, from large public universities to private colleges, each offering unique advantages in cost, length, and clinical training. The rankings below consider net price, median earnings, and program-specific highlights to help you compare top options across the state.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | Budget-conscious career changers in Florida | |
The University of Florida’s Accelerated BSN is a four-semester, May-start program at the Gainesville and UF Health Jacksonville campuses. It offers strong return on investment, with median earnings of $71,588 ten years after entry and a net price of $4,815 for in-state students. A unique partnership with Edward Waters University creates a pipeline for HBCU graduates, and Florida-funded scholarships support up to 40 students annually in this ABSN cohort.
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| #2 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | Ambitious career changers valuing clinical depth | |
The University of Miami’s 12-month Accelerated BSN is a fast-paced, campus-based program with a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Students train in the state-of-the-art Simulation Hospital and over 200 clinical partners, including the UM Health System. Graduates benefit from strong career outcomes, with median earnings of $75,328 ten years after entry, though the net price is higher for private education at $37,244.
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| #3 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | Flexible learners needing multiple annual starts | |
UCF’s Accelerated Second Degree BSN in Orlando is designed for degree holders seeking a streamlined 60-credit program with fall, spring, and summer starts. With a minimum 2.5 GPA requirement and a net price of $10,411, it offers accessible entry for many career changers. The program is CCNE-accredited and prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure.
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| #4 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
USF’s Accelerated Second Degree Pathway spans 16 months across Tampa, Sarasota-Manatee, and St. Petersburg campuses, increasing access for west-central Florida students. The program requires eight prerequisites and offers two annual starts, with a net price of $9,812. Graduates earn a median of $57,743 ten years after entry, and the curriculum lays the groundwork for advanced nursing degrees.
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| #5 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
FIU’s Accelerated Option BSN is a four-semester, 58-credit program at the Biscayne Bay Campus in Miami, with a single fall start each year. It is tailored for second-degree students, offering a net price of $9,288 and median earnings of $60,249. The program responds to South Florida’s high demand for RNs and prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN and advanced study.
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| #6 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | Delray Beach, FL | $21,000/yr | ||
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology in Delray Beach offers a 16-month BSN Accelerated Track for students with a prior bachelor’s or master’s degree. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, simulation labs, and clinical partnerships. With a net price of $21,276 and median earnings of $47,792, it is a private for-profit option in South Florida.
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| #7 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
FAU’s Accelerated BSN in Boca Raton and Davie is a four-semester, full-time program requiring a 3.0 GPA and a personal interview. The curriculum includes 24–40 hours per week of clinical practice, making it one of the most clinically intensive options. With a net price of $8,752, it is among the more affordable public programs, though working during the program is not recommended.
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| #8 | Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, FL | ~$30,000/yr (est.) | ||
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale’s Accelerated BSN is a 16-month, ACEN-accredited program with one-course-at-a-time structure, small class sizes, and dedicated clinical placement support. Designed for degree holders, it requires a 3.0 GPA and accepts up to 12 transfer credits. The net price is $30,498, with median earnings of $39,696.
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| #9 | Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | ~$30,000/yr (est.) | ||
Nova Southeastern University’s Accelerated BSN is a 15-month program offered at Fort Myers and Miami campuses. It integrates high-tech simulation and clinical rotations with hospital partners like Lee Health and Baptist Health, which also provide scholarships. Net price is $30,371, and median earnings are $59,209.
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| #10 | Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay | Saint Petersburg, FL | $28,000/yr | ||
Galen College of Nursing in Tampa Bay offers an 18-month BSN Fast Path for non-nursing bachelor’s holders, along with a standard 3-year BSN. Both programs feature on-campus classes, four annual start dates, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN. Net price is $28,197, with median earnings of $61,480 for graduates.
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When a Florida nursing school advertises an “online” accelerated BSN, it’s describing a hybrid format. Theory courses, such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment, are delivered through a learning management system, often asynchronously or with scheduled live sessions. However, nursing education cannot be fully remote. The Florida Board of Nursing requires supervised clinical hours, hands-on simulation, and lab practice. Every ABSN student, regardless of program format, must complete in-person skills labs, simulation intensives, and clinical rotations at partner sites across the state.
Within the list of Florida ABSN programs, only Rasmussen University currently offers a hybrid model that blends online coursework with required on-campus components. Its Second Degree BSN is an 18-month, CCNE-accredited program with no prerequisite courses, small class sizes, and multiple start dates. Students take didactic classes online but attend in-person clinical rotations in Florida health systems. The university describes the program as “hybrid online and in-person.”
All other accelerated nursing programs in Florida, including University of Florida, University of Miami, University of Central Florida, USF, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic, Keiser, Nova Southeastern, Barry, Cambridge College, West Coast University, Galen, Jacksonville University, and Miami Dade College, are campus-based. That means classes, labs, and clinical coordination happen on campus or at designated metro sites, even if some theory content uses online modules. If you need the flexibility to study from home for most of the week, Rasmussen’s hybrid track is the primary in-state choice.
Students living outside Florida often ask whether they can enroll in a Florida hybrid ABSN program. If the program is hybrid, out-of-state enrollment is sometimes possible, but clinical placement becomes the critical piece. Most Florida programs arrange clinical rotations within their existing hospital partnerships in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, and other metro areas. A student who resides in another state would still need to travel to Florida for all in-person requirements, including skills intensives and clinical shifts that can span several weeks each semester. Rasmussen’s program, for example, requires in-person clinicals in Florida facilities. Before applying, contact the program directly to confirm whether they can accommodate your location and whether any out-of-state student restrictions apply.
A program that billed itself as fully online ABSN would not meet Florida licensure requirements. Hands-on clinical experience is essential to develop safe nursing judgment. Expect to spend significant hours in simulation labs and on hospital units. Even hybrid tracks require thousands of clinical hours that cannot be done remotely. If you encounter a program promising zero in-person requirements for prelicensure, treat it as a red flag.
If the single in-state hybrid track doesn’t fit your timeline or budget, several national universities with CCNE-accredited accelerated BSN programs offer hybrid formats and accept Florida students. Schools such as Chamberlain University, Herzing University, and Walden University deliver online didactic courses and coordinate clinical placements in the student’s local community, including within Florida. These programs often have rolling admissions, no prerequisite courses, and flexible start dates, but clinical placement may depend on site availability. Always verify accreditation, state board approval, and clinical placement geography before committing.
Meeting the posted minimum GPA does not guarantee a seat: Florida’s accelerated BSN programs routinely admit cohorts with averages well above the floor. Applicants who treat the published minimum as a target often find themselves edged out by candidates with stronger academic records, healthcare experience, and earlier applications.
Most Florida ABSN programs are designed as second-degree paths, so a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is non-negotiable. Acceptable degrees include a BA, BS, or equivalent from a U.S. college or university recognized by an accrediting body such as SACSCOC. Associate degrees, diploma programs, and unaccredited institutions do not meet the requirement. If you hold an international degree, expect to submit a credential evaluation from an approved service like WES or Josef Silny. Some schools may also require that the previous degree was earned with a minimum cumulative GPA, even before prerequisite grades are evaluated.
Published minimum GPAs typically fall between 2.75 and 3.2 for cumulative undergraduate work, with prerequisite science GPAs often held to a higher standard. However, the numbers that actually get applicants admitted tell a different story. At the University of South Florida, for example, the admitted accelerated second-degree BSN cohort in 2026 carried an overall GPA ranging from 3.60 to 3.90 and a prerequisite GPA between 3.74 and 3.93.2 Across Florida, self-reported applicant data suggests a typical admitted cumulative GPA around 3.50, 3.65, with an average cumulative undergraduate GPA for all ABSN applicants at 3.26.4 University of Miami’s ABSN program had a 7% admission rate in 2026, underscoring the selectivity at prominent private institutions.1 At the University of Florida, the minimum GPA is 3.0, but competitive applicants far exceed that floor, and the program also requires a HESI A2 entrance exam with a competitive overall score of 85 and a critical thinking score of 800.3
The standard prerequisite slate across Florida ABSN programs includes Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab, a chemistry course (general, organic, or introductory chemistry depending on the school), Statistics, Developmental Psychology (often lifespan development), and Nutrition. Some programs stipulate that prerequisites must be completed within the last five to seven years, so check each school’s recency requirement. While a grade of C or above may satisfy the minimum, applicants who earn A’s in science prerequisites are the ones advancing to the interview stage at competitive programs. Unique school-level requirements exist: for instance, UF’s HESI A2 mandate goes beyond the typical prerequisite coursework, and other programs may ask for a pathophysiology or genetics course.
Many Florida ABSN programs operate on a rolling or multi-cohort schedule, with 2, 3 start dates per year, typically in spring, summer, and fall. Deadlines often close three to six months before the start term. At the University of South Florida, 157 total applicants competed for 60 seats in a recent cycle, reinforcing the value of applying early.2 Most programs require official transcripts from every institution attended, and transcript review can take several weeks. Letters of recommendation are commonly requested, typically two to three, from academic references or employers who can speak to your readiness for an intensive nursing curriculum. Interviews are not universal but are increasingly common at selective programs. After a conditional acceptance, candidates must complete background checks, drug screenings, and immunization verification before enrollment.
ABSN programs in Florida require a set of common science and social science prerequisites. The table below outlines frequently required courses and notes to help you plan your application.
| Prerequisite | Commonly Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I/II | Yes | Often requires lab |
| Microbiology | Yes | Often requires lab |
| Chemistry | Often | General, organic, or intro chemistry varies |
| Statistics | Often | May need recent completion |
| Nutrition | Sometimes | Varies by school |
| Lifespan Development | Often | May be psychology-based |
| Psychology | Often | Intro or developmental |
| Sociology | Sometimes | Varies |
ABSN tuition in Florida ranges widely by institution, with public universities offering lower rates for in-state residents and private schools charging premium tuition. Many programs provide financial aid, and state-specific nursing scholarships such as the Florida Nurses Association Scholarships and the Iona Pettingill Scholarship can offset costs. Students should also explore hospital tuition reimbursement partnerships with major systems like AdventHealth and HCA Florida, as well as institutional scholarships available at individual schools.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Debt | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | $3,876 | $16,579 | $4,815 | $15,000 | $71,588 |
| Miami Dade College | $2,838 | $9,661 | $5,463 | $9,252 | $40,654 |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,879 | $17,324 | $8,752 | $17,236 | $56,746 |
| Florida International University | $6,565 | $18,964 | $9,288 | $16,500 | $60,249 |
| University of South Florida | $6,410 | $17,324 | $9,812 | $17,988 | $57,743 |
| University of Central Florida | $6,368 | $22,467 | $10,411 | $18,190 | $58,308 |
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | $18,168 | $18,168 | $21,276 | $26,250 | $47,792 |
| Rasmussen University | $15,314 | $15,314 | $21,909 | $20,899 | $39,080 |
| State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | $3,074 | $11,595 | $22,356 | $9,000 | $40,318 |
| Barry University | $34,350 | $34,350 | $22,613 | $26,997 | $55,966 |
| Jacksonville University | $47,830 | $47,830 | $25,180 | $22,000 | $68,010 |
| Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay | $17,048 | $17,048 | $28,197 | $24,166 | $61,480 |
| Nova Southeastern University | $38,700 | $38,700 | $30,371 | $24,250 | $59,209 |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | $25,056 | $25,056 | $30,498 | $26,125 | $39,696 |
| West Coast University-Miami | $23,317 | $23,317 | $32,539 | $32,946 | $102,672 |
| University of Miami | $62,616 | $62,616 | $37,244 | $17,500 | $75,328 |
The chart below shows net price (institution-wide) and median earnings 10 years after entry for ABSN completers at the five most affordable programs in Florida, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education. Net price reflects the average cost for all undergraduate students after aid, not just ABSN students, so actual program costs may differ. Median earnings are from College Scorecard data for program completers.
Most ABSN programs in Florida coordinate clinical rotations at hospitals and healthcare facilities within major metropolitan areas, giving students access to large, diverse patient populations. The state's network of healthcare systems is one of its strongest assets for nursing education, but placement policies and commuting expectations vary by school.
Florida's clinical landscape is defined by a handful of high-density healthcare markets where many ABSN rotations take place.
In Florida, the majority of ABSN programs take responsibility for securing clinical placements. Grand Canyon University, the University of Central Florida, and Saint Leo University all have formal, written partnerships with major health systems like AdventHealth, ensuring that cohorts receive pre-arranged rotations. Many other schools work through similar agreements with regional hospitals and clinics, though the specifics of each partnership vary.
While schools typically arrange placements, students should not assume a guarantee of their preferred site or shift. Programs may require flexibility: a student living in Orlando might still need to commute to a clinical site in Kissimmee or Daytona Beach. Some programs ask students to identify potential preceptors for specialty rotations, but the school usually finalizes the placement. Always confirm during the admissions process whether the program handles all placement logistics or expects student involvement, and ask about the average commute radius.
A handful of Florida ABSN programs include clinical experiences outside major cities, placing students in community hospitals, rural health clinics, or long-term care facilities in less densely populated counties. These rotations often feature smaller patient-to-student ratios and less competition for hands-on practice, as well as exposure to health challenges common in rural and underserved communities. Students who are willing to travel may find these rotations expand their clinical competence significantly. Programs with articulation agreements, such as Warner University's partnership with AdventHealth University for health degrees4, illustrate the type of collaboration that can open doors to clinical training beyond traditional metro hubs.
Florida's Board of Nursing does not permit simulation to replace all direct patient care hours. ABSN students must complete a state-mandated number of hands-on clinical hours to be eligible for the NCLEX-RN. While high-fidelity simulation supplements learning, it cannot substitute for the required live patient experiences. Every hour is non-negotiable, and failing to meet clinical hour requirements will delay graduation and licensure. Prospective students should plan for a full-time commitment that includes day, evening, and possibly weekend rotations, depending on site availability.
With clinical rotations spanning Florida's urban hospitals, suburban clinics, and rural health facilities, ABSN students gain unusually broad exposure to diverse patient populations, an advantage that strengthens NCLEX preparation and workforce readiness. This variety helps you build the clinical judgment employers value, giving you a competitive edge from day one.
Florida's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025 sits at 84.9%, the lowest among all states2 and well below the national average of 91.16%.1 This gap signals that not all accelerated BSN programs in the state are delivering the same level of exam preparedness, making it essential to compare program-level pass rates before you apply.
While the state average has seen modest improvement from previous years, Florida's rank at the bottom of national NCLEX outcomes means many programs are struggling to meet baseline standards. State data shows that a handful of schools consistently outperform the average, but others fall beneath the Florida Board of Nursing's minimum threshold for program approval , typically a first-time pass rate of 80% over a rolling period. A program that repeatedly dips below that benchmark can face probation or closure, so a low or declining rate is a serious red flag.
A subpar NCLEX pass rate doesn't just delay your license; it can also signal deeper issues with curriculum design, clinical placement quality, or student support. If a program's rate trends downward over two to three cohorts, it often means the school is admitting students without adequate academic preparation or is struggling to staff qualified instructors. When you're investing a year or more in an intensive ABSN, those structural weaknesses can affect your own preparedness and job-readiness right out of the gate.
Program-level earnings data for Florida ABSN graduates is not yet publicly available in a comparable format. While some institutions share internal employment surveys, there is no state-mandated reporting on median wages or employment rates one and two years after completion. Without that transparency, NCLEX pass rates become one of the few standardized quality signals you have. As a rule of thumb, prioritize programs with first-time pass rates consistently above 90% and ask directly about job placement help, hospital partnerships, and alumni outcomes.
Request the most recent three years of NCLEX data from each school, and verify it against the Florida Board of Nursing's public reports. Don't settle for the school's overall pass rate; ask for the ABSN-specific cohort rate, since traditional and accelerated tracks often show very different performance. Weigh the pass rate alongside total cost, clinical placement guarantees, and accreditation status, but never ignore it. A low-cost program that drags out your path to licensure is rarely a true bargain.
Still have questions about ABSN programs in Florida? Below are answers to the most common queries, from program length and prerequisites to costs and work-life balance during school.
In addition to the top-ranked programs above, Florida offers many other ABSN and accelerated nursing pathways across the state. The following schools provide additional options for career changers and second-degree students.
