Compare accredited programs by cost, outcomes, and format — updated for 2026.
ADN programs may be easier to find in the immediate Boynton Beach area, but a BSN is now the hiring floor for new graduate RNs at hospitals like Bethesda Hospital East and JFK Medical Center. This shift makes finding an accredited BSN within commuting distance a practical necessity.
While few BSN programs sit inside Boynton Beach city limits, expanding the radius to 75 miles reveals options across Palm Beach County and beyond, including top nursing schools in Florida. Evaluating them means looking beyond location to NCLEX pass rates, net price, and clinical placement quality.
Pathways also matter: traditional pre-licensure BSNs, RN-to-BSN bridges, and ADN-to-BSN transfer tracks serve different starting points. With Palm Beach County's healthcare sector continuing to expand, choosing a program aligned with employer expectations will determine how quickly graduates land their first nursing role.
The following ranking spotlights accredited nursing programs within a 55-mile radius of Boynton Beach, including BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN options. Each entry is evaluated on institutional graduation rate, net price, accreditation, and program format, with a focus on schools that offer hybrid or campus-based pathways for local commuters. Florida Atlantic University in nearby Boca Raton leads the list as the most accessible public university option for Palm Beach County residents.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | Palm Beach County commuters seeking hybrid BSN | |
Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in Boca Raton offers a CCNE-accredited hybrid BSN just 15-20 minutes from Boynton Beach. The program emphasizes a holistic caring-based philosophy, requires 840 clinical hours, and grants AHNCC endorsement eligibility. With an institutional graduation rate of 63% and a net price around $8,800 for in-state students, FAU is the most affordable and geographically convenient public university option for Palm Beach County residents.
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| #2 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | Flexible hybrid BSN learners in small groups | |
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes provides a hybrid BSN designed for flexibility, with 42-month completion, 450 clinical hours, and small group settings. Transfer credits are accepted for RNs and LPNs, and the program includes an NCLEX-RN readiness course. While graduation rate data is not available, the net price is approximately $29,200. The hybrid format and personalized education make it a solid choice for career changers and working students in South Florida.
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| #3 | Miami Regional University | Miami Springs, FL | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | Career changers pursuing direct-entry MSN | |
Miami Regional University in Miami Springs offers a direct-entry MSN for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. The campus-based program boasts a 94% MSN passing rate and includes targeted NCLEX preparation. Institutional graduation rate is about 84%, and net price runs near $22,100. It’s an intensive pathway for those committed to launching a nursing career at the graduate level.
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| #4 | SABER College | Miami, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
SABER College in Miami provides a campus-based Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) accredited by the NLN CNEA. The full-time program blends theory, lab work, and clinical practicums, with small class sizes and individualized attention. With an institutional graduation rate of 61% and a net price of about $11,000, it’s a budget-friendly entry point for aspiring registered nurses in South Florida.
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| #5 | HCI College | West Palm Beach, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | ||
HCI College in West Palm Beach, just a short commute from Boynton Beach, offers an ACEN-accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). The 2-year, 72-credit program includes day and evening classes, 24/7 tutor access, and TEAS exam prep. Institutional data shows a 100% graduation rate (though sample size may be small), and net price is around $35,400. The campus-based format and local clinical placements make it a practical option for Palm Beach County students.
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| #6 | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL | $3,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Miami Dade College in Miami offers a CCNE-accredited RN to BSN hybrid program that can be completed in three semesters with asynchronous online classes and two clinical courses. The school also provides a campus-based ASN with multiple concentration options and a state-of-the-art simulation center. With a net price around $5,500 and an institutional graduation rate of 46%, MDC is one of the most affordable pathways for both pre-licensure and degree completion in the region.
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| #7 | Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | ~$30,000/yr (est.) | ||
Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale provides both Entry and Accelerated BSN tracks on campus. The Entry BSN can be finished in under two years after prerequisites, while the Accelerated BSN is a 5-semester CCNE-accredited option. Institutional graduation rate is 63%, and net price approximates $30,400. With three campus locations and strong hospital partnerships, NSU prepares students for Florida’s major healthcare employers.
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| #8 | Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, FL | ~$30,000/yr (est.) | ||
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale offers Traditional and FastTrack BSN programs on campus, each with 120 credits and small class sizes. The Traditional track takes 32 months, while the FastTrack can be completed in 16 months for those with prerequisites. Institutional graduation rate is 61%, and net price is around $30,500. Both options feature mobile simulation labs, one-class-at-a-time scheduling, and career-focused clinical rotations.
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| #9 | Arizona College of Nursing-Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $26,000/yr | ||
Arizona College of Nursing-Fort Lauderdale offers a CCNE-accredited 3-year BSN with a campus-based format and night classes for general education. Students benefit from state-of-the-art simulation labs, new sessions every 8 weeks, and personalized attention. Graduation rate and net price data are not available from federal sources, but the accelerated timeline and flexible scheduling cater to those balancing work and school in South Florida.
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| #10 | Broward College | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
Broward College in Fort Lauderdale provides a CCNE-accredited online/hybrid BSN for RNs with an active license, plus several ACEN-accredited ASN pathways: Generic-RN, LPN-RN Transition, and a Part-Time Generic option. Institutional graduation rate is 39%, and net price is about $14,500. With high job placement rates (99%) and multiple start dates, Broward is a flexible and affordable choice for both pre-licensure and degree-advancing nursing students.
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Today’s nursing job market increasingly expects a BSN, reshaping how students in Boynton Beach plan their education. Whether you are starting from scratch or already hold a license, understanding the available paths is the first step.
No institution within the Boynton Beach city limits currently offers a traditional four-year pre-licensure BSN. Students who want this direct-entry route must commute to neighboring cities. Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, about 20 minutes north, runs a respected pre-licensure BSN. Additional options exist in Boca Raton and elsewhere in Palm Beach County. Because no Boynton Beach-based school currently hosts a traditional BSN, commuting is the norm. Factor in travel time, parking, and clinical placements that may rotate through facilities across the county.
A popular alternative is to begin with an associate degree and bridge to a BSN later. Bethesda College of Health Sciences, physically located in Boynton Beach, offers an ADN program that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN. International College of Health Sciences, also in Boynton Beach, runs an ACEN-accredited ASN program. From there, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN track, often fully online, and complete the remainder while working as a nurse.
Comparing the direct BSN and ADN-to-BSN paths involves a time-and-cost tradeoff. A traditional BSN takes four years of full-time study and typically costs more upfront, but you earn the bachelor’s in one continuous go. Starting with an ADN generally takes two to three years with lower initial tuition, then you add another 12 to 18 months online for the RN-to-BSN. The latter approach lets you start earning an RN salary sooner and may reduce total debt, though it pushes the BSN completion date further out.
For licensed RNs already holding an associate degree or diploma, RN-to-BSN programs are widely available online, making location nearly irrelevant. International College of Health Sciences delivers its RN-to-BSN entirely online, and Care Hope College in Boynton Beach also offers this pathway. Because coursework fits around a work schedule, many nurses in Boynton Beach advance their credentials without stepping foot on a campus.
The true cost of a nursing degree goes beyond published tuition. Net price, which reflects what the typical student pays after grants and scholarships, varies widely even among public Florida schools. Median debt figures add another dimension, showing the potential financial commitment.
The Florida Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-RN pass rate reports for every approved prelicensure nursing program in the state, which you can download directly from its website. Find the "NCLEX Pass Rates" section, which breaks down first-time pass rates by school and calendar year. This is the definitive source to compare outcomes across programs near Boynton Beach.
Most nursing schools post their own pass rate data on their nursing department pages. Search for terms like "NCLEX pass rate," "student outcomes," or "program effectiveness." Some schools provide historical trends, while others show only recent years. If you cannot locate the information online, a quick call or email to the program's admissions office will usually get you the latest figures.
Understanding context is key. For comparison, the Florida Board of Nursing reports the statewide average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate; in recent cycles, Florida's average has typically ranged between 80% and 85%. Nationally, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports an overall first-time pass rate of around 86% for U.S.-educated candidates. Rates above these benchmarks generally indicate strong exam preparation.
Recent Florida Board of Nursing reports show several programs near Boynton Beach have demonstrated strong outcomes. Florida Atlantic University's traditional BSN program has consistently delivered first-time pass rates in the mid-90s, while Palm Beach Atlantic University's BSN graduates have achieved rates often in the low 90s. Palm Beach State College's associate degree nursing program has exceeded the state average, typically landing between 85% and 90%. Keiser University and Southeastern College report rates solidly above 80%. For the most current numbers, always verify directly with the board or the school; rates can shift from year to year.
Registered nurses in the West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach metro earn a median annual wage of $85,000 to $88,000, with an hourly rate of $41 to $42 (2025 BLS data).1 Clinical placements in the area are a direct pipeline to these competitive salaries, as many students receive job offers from the facilities where they train.
The Nursing Consortium of Florida CCPS streamlines placements across Bethesda, JFK, Delray, and other facilities3, ensuring that Boynton Beach nursing students gain hands-on experience in settings where they might later work. These rotations often double as extended interviews; it is common for graduates to transition directly into staff RN positions at their clinical sites, leveraging familiarity with the hospital’s culture and patient care standards. With the metro’s median RN wage approaching $88,0001, the clinical-to-employment pathway offers both financial stability and a built-in professional network.
If you are exploring nursing education near Boynton Beach, you likely have questions about local program availability, typical expenses, and exam performance. This FAQ addresses key points to help you make an informed decision.
A smart BSN search near Boynton Beach distills to a few essentials: accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, net price after aid, clinical site strength, and schedule flexibility. Programs with strong Palm Beach County hospital partnerships give you a direct line to RN roles paying a median $85,000-$88,000 in the metro area. When you compare schools, prioritize those that publish clear NCLEX results and offer campus visits to discuss financial aid. For students open to relocating or commuting farther, a statewide Florida nursing schools directory offers a comprehensive view of accredited programs across the state.
