Compare costs, NCLEX outcomes, and program formats for every BSN option in the Daytona Beach area.
An ADN can land you a hospital floor in two years; a BSN stretches your timeline but lifts long-term earning potential. Daytona Beach’s healthcare employers, led by Halifax Health and AdventHealth, have gradually raised their education expectations, mirroring the national push toward baccalaureate nursing. The local pipeline reflects that tension: Daytona State College feeds graduates into entry-level roles quickly, while Bethune-Cookman’s four-year program aligns with employer preferences for bachelor’s-prepared RNs. Both paths produce competent clinicians, but the region’s magnet hospitals and specialty units now reserve an increasing share of positions for BSN holders.
The Daytona Beach area offers a range of nursing programs, from local associate degrees to flexible online RN-to-BSN completions. Whether you're starting your nursing journey or advancing your career, these schools represent the top options based on accreditation, affordability, and student outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Daytona State College | Daytona Beach, FL | $7,000/yr (net price) | Aspiring RNs in Volusia County | |
Daytona State College's Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the primary local pathway to RN licensure for Daytona Beach residents. The program offers both a traditional track and a transition track for LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists, with competitive admission based on GPA and TEAS scores. Accredited by ACEN, the 72-credit curriculum includes clinical experiences that prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN and roles in area hospitals and clinics.
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| #2 | Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Faith-centered BSN students | |
Bethune-Cookman University offers a faith-based BSN program in Daytona Beach that blends liberal arts and nursing theory over four years. With ACEN accreditation and a reported 100% licensure pass and job placement rates, the program emphasizes compassionate care and cultural sensitivity. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations and benefit from a supportive campus environment.
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| #3 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | Public university BSN in Daytona | |
UCF's Traditional BSN program is available at its Daytona Beach campus, offering five semesters of full-time study in a cohort model. With CCNE accreditation and NCLEX pass rates above state averages, the curriculum combines science foundations with clinical rotations in diverse settings. The program also offers a Second Degree BSN for career changers, and graduates are prepared for immediate RN roles or graduate study.
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| #4 | Stetson University | DeLand, FL | $19,000/yr | ||
Stetson University partners with AdventHealth University to offer a BSN pathway starting in DeLand, just a short drive from Daytona Beach. Students complete at least one year of prerequisite coursework at Stetson before transitioning to AHU's nursing curriculum, with a focus on liberal arts and science foundations. The program requires a 3.0 GPA and TEAS scores, providing a structured route to a nursing career.
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| #5 | AdventHealth University | Orlando, FL | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | ||
AdventHealth University's hybrid BSN blends online coursework with in-person clinicals at AdventHealth's extensive hospital network, including facilities near Daytona Beach. With a faith-based, whole-person care philosophy and an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the program boasts an 81% NCLEX first-attempt pass rate and 100% employment rate. The accelerated trimester schedule can be completed in three years.
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| #6 | Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL | $9,000/yr | ||
Seminole State's RN-to-BSN is a fully online, asynchronous program designed for working registered nurses. At around $5,200 total tuition, it's one of Florida's most affordable BSN completions and can be finished in 12 months. The ACEN-accredited curriculum covers leadership, evidence-based practice, and community health, with a capstone and virtual simulation.
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| #7 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Valencia College's online RN-to-BSN is a flexible program for Florida-licensed RNs holding an ASN. With 120 credit hours and rolling admissions, students can progress at their own pace, finishing in one to two years. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and leadership, with no application fee and three start dates per year.
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| #8 | Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg, FL | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Lake-Sumter State College offers an ACEN-accredited RN-to-BSN online that can be completed in as few as two semesters with asynchronous 7-week courses. The campus-based ASN program in Leesburg provides a traditional two-year path to RN licensure, with clinical partnerships at major hospitals and a total tuition of around $15,750. Both programs serve students from the broader Central Florida region, including commuters from the Daytona area.
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| #9 | Saint Johns River State College | Palatka, FL | $6,000/yr | ||
Saint Johns River State College's online BSN is an ACEN-accredited program for registered nurses seeking career advancement. With full-time and part-time tracks and three start dates, students can complete in four to eight semesters. The program reports 99.3% graduate satisfaction, making it a flexible and well-regarded option for nurses in Northeast Florida.
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| #10 | Southern Technical College | Orlando, FL | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Southern Technical College's ADN program, while based in Fort Myers, is included here as a private, accelerated option for students willing to relocate or commute. The program can be completed in less than two years and offers day and evening classes with small class sizes. ACEN-accredited, it prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and includes hands-on clinical experience. Note that the Fort Myers location is outside the Daytona Beach area, so this program is less convenient for local students.
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Prospective nursing students today face lists of “best” schools with little explanation of how the order was determined. Our rankings break that mold by sharing exactly which data points shape the order, so you can judge for yourself whether a program’s strengths align with your goals, a methodology we also apply to best nursing programs in Indiana.
We evaluate each nursing program on four publicly available metrics: - NCLEX pass rates: The percentage of graduates who pass the national licensing exam on their first attempt, reflecting how well a program prepares students for practice. - Net price after aid: The average cost students actually pay after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. This is an institution-wide figure, not nursing-specific, but it shows overall affordability. - Graduation rate: The percentage of all undergraduate students who complete a degree within 150% of normal time. This is an institution-wide metric, not limited to nursing majors, but it signals whether students at the school tend to finish what they start. - Graduate earnings: Median earnings of former students one year after leaving the institution, drawn from the College Scorecard. These figures are not program-specific but offer a broad view of post-college income potential.
We pull schools from a 75-mile radius around Daytona Beach, which may include programs in Orlando, Jacksonville, and smaller surrounding towns. If you prefer a closer commute, note each school’s address in the table above.
Many ranking sites never disclose their formulas. By laying out our methodology, we help you decide whether cost, exam success, or long-term earnings should carry the most weight in your decision. That clarity is what sets this list apart, and why you can use it with confidence.
Below are the tuition and net price figures for bachelor's in nursing (BSN) programs near Daytona Beach. The net price listed is the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships, this figure is institution-wide and actual nursing costs may differ due to program-specific fees. In-state tuition ranges from $2,591 to $6,565, while net price after aid spans from $5,463 to $9,288.
| Institution | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dade College | $2,838 | $9,661 | $5,463 |
| Lake-Sumter State College | $3,292 | $13,276 | $5,855 |
| Saint Johns River State College | $2,591 | $9,334 | $6,135 |
| University of Florida | $6,381 | $28,659 | $6,541 |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,879 | $17,324 | $8,752 |
| Florida International University | $6,565 | $18,964 | $9,288 |
An ADN typically requires 60 to 80 credit hours and can be completed in 24 months, while a BSN demands a full 120 credits spread over four years.1
The credit gap reflects the depth of the curriculum. ADN programs focus heavily on clinical skills and patient care basics, preparing you for the NCLEX in a condensed timeline. Some schools offer accelerated tracks that can fast-track an ADN in 12 to 18 months2 or a BSN in 18 to 21 months3, but these demand a more intense pace.
Because the credit load is smaller, an ADN generally costs less in total tuition, though per-credit costs can be similar. However, the long-term career ceiling differs sharply. BSN holders qualify for leadership roles, public health positions, and specialty certifications that remain out of reach with an associate degree alone.
The local job market underscores this distinction. Major healthcare employers in the Daytona Beach area, including AdventHealth and Halifax Health, both pursuing or holding Magnet designation, increasingly prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses. This trend means new ADN graduates may face steeper competition for hospital roles or must commit to earning a BSN within a few years of hire.
For students who start with an ADN, an RN-to-BSN bridge offers a practical next step without discarding previous credits. These programs often take just 12 to 18 months, letting working nurses upgrade their degree online or part-time while maintaining employment.
Getting into a nursing program in Daytona Beach starts with understanding Daytona State College’s admissions criteria, which are detailed and selective. The college offers an Associate in Science in Nursing (ADN) and an RN-to-BSN pathway, each with distinct prerequisites. Here’s what you need to know to prepare a strong application.
For the ADN program, Daytona State requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.51, but the reality is that higher GPAs are often necessary to stand out. The program uses a competitive points system1, so every fraction of a grade point can make a difference. You’ll also need to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and achieve a score of at least 65%1. The TEAS evaluates reading, math, science, and English, and a score well above the minimum boosts your overall points. The BSN completion program also demands a 2.5 GPA2 and holds applicants to similar academic rigor, assuming you already hold an ASN or nursing diploma and an active RN license2.
Before applying to the ADN, you must complete general education courses like college algebra (MAT1033) and English composition (ENC1101) with a grade of C or better. Additional requirements include being at least 18 years old1, holding a current BLS Healthcare Provider certification1, and passing a background check, drug screen, and health screening1. The program admits students twice a year, with application deadlines in May and September1. Missing these cutoff dates means waiting for the next cycle, so plan ahead.
The program’s limited cohort size and points-based selection make admission highly competitive1. While the college does not publish a specific acceptance rate, the use of a ranking system means that meeting minimums is no guarantee. Applicants compete based on GPA, TEAS performance, and possibly other factors like healthcare experience. Some cycles see a waitlist, so you should view the stated minimums as a floor, not a target.
While program-specific earnings data is not yet available for Daytona Beach nursing graduates, the BLS provides detailed wage information for registered nurses in the local metropolitan area. The figures below show what RNs in the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach MSA earned in 2024, giving you a realistic salary benchmark as you plan your nursing career.
Get quick answers to common questions about nursing programs in Daytona Beach, from admissions and costs to exam outcomes. This FAQ covers the essential details to help you choose the right path.
