Compare accredited BSN programs, tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and admissions requirements for Doral-area nursing schools.
Doral sits at the center of one of South Florida’s fastest-growing healthcare corridors, yet the city itself houses few BSN-granting campuses. Most students commute to nearby Miami institutions, including Florida International University and the University of Miami, two top nursing schools in Florida under a 20-minute drive, or choose hybrid options like Antigua College International’s blended program. The proximity to Miami’s major hospital systems provides a steady rotation of clinical placements, but it also means applicants must weigh costs, NCLEX pass rates, and admission logistics across institutions that are not all in their backyard.
Every BSN program in this area holds CCNE accreditation, the national standard for nursing education. Despite that common thread, tuition spans from public in-state rates below $7,000 per year to private prices above $60,000. Early-career earnings in the Miami metro anchor around the statewide registered nurse median of $79,000, but program-level outcome data remains incomplete, forcing students to lean heavily on licensure exam performance and long-term salary trends when comparing options.
While Doral itself has few nursing programs within city limits, several strong BSN options are available in nearby Miami-Dade County and across Florida. This ranking prioritizes proximity, clinical networks, and program fit for Doral-area students, alongside standard metrics of affordability and post-graduation success.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | Multiple BSN pathways for local residents | |
Florida International University is Miami-Dade County's flagship public nursing school, with its Modesto A. Maidique Campus a short drive from Doral. FIU offers multiple BSN pathways (traditional, accelerated, and a direct-entry MSN for foreign-educated physicians) and strong clinical ties to South Florida health systems. The institution's net price of $9,288 among public universities makes it a strong value, and its 74% four-year graduation rate reflects solid student support. Program-level earnings are not yet reported separately, but the school's overall 10-year median earnings reach $60,249.
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| #2 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | Local students targeting the UHealth network | |
The University of Miami in Coral Gables offers a prestigious private nursing education with direct ties to the UHealth system and over 200 clinical partners across South Florida. Its traditional four-year BSN, 12-month accelerated option, and hybrid RN to BSN program cater to various student stages. The net price of $37,244 reflects private tuition, but the school's 84% graduation rate and top-tier 10-year median earnings of $75,328 signal strong outcomes.
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| #3 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | Doral commuters preferring intimate hybrid classes | |
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes is the BSN program closest to Doral, just minutes away in Northwest Miami-Dade. The hybrid 42-month program blends lectures, labs, and clinical hours in small-group settings, making it convenient for place-bound commuters. Net price is about $29,211, and while first-year program earnings are not yet published, the personalized education and local clinicals are a strong fit for students wanting a community-based pathway. The institution's retention rate of 33% indicates many students do not persist, so prospective students should verify recent outcomes.
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| #4 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton offers a hybrid BSN with 840 clinical hours and a caring-science curriculum. The net price of $8,752 among public schools is attractive, and its 63% graduation rate is respectable for a public research university. While not as close as Miami-Dade programs, FAU's Broward County location is within reasonable commuting distance from Doral. Over 84% of first-year students return, reflecting solid support.
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| #5 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College in West Palm Beach awards an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing, not a BSN, but is included for its entry-level nursing pathway. The 25-month program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN, with a net price of $28,820. Its 88% graduation rate suggests strong support, though it is a longer commute from Doral.
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| #6 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida's flagship university in Gainesville offers a highly ranked BSN with traditional, accelerated, and RN to BSN tracks. The net price is just $6,541 with a 91% graduation rate and 98% retention rate. While far from Doral, its strong NCLEX pass rates and earnings (median $71,588 at 10 years) make it a top choice for students willing to relocate.
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| #7 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | ||
FSU in Tallahassee provides a 15-16 month second-degree BSN with holistic admissions. The net price is $11,297 and graduation rate 86%, with a 10-year median earnings of $61,675. Its distance from South Florida means it primarily attracts students planning to study away from home.
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| #8 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
USF's Tampa campus delivers a competitive upper-division BSN and an accelerated second-degree pathway. Net price is $9,812 and graduation rate 77%. While not local, USF's strong health sciences reputation attracts students from across the state. Program-level earnings are not yet reported separately.
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| #9 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
UCF in Orlando offers a traditional BSN at three campuses and a second-degree accelerated option. Net price is $10,411 and graduation rate 78%. Students from Doral would need to move, but the program's NCLEX performance consistently exceeds state averages. Ten-year median earnings stand at $58,308.
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| #10 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
UNF in Jacksonville features a prelicensure BSN and a freshman-admit nursing track. Net price is $10,154 and graduation rate 69%. The nursing pathways are regionally focused on Northeast Florida, making them less aligned with Doral residents. The 10-year median earnings of $56,343 reflect solid graduate outcomes.
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The following table summarizes key details for BSN programs near Doral, Florida, including estimated costs, delivery methods, and accreditation status. All programs listed hold CCNE accreditation, ensuring quality standards for nursing education.
| School | Tuition & Fees | Format | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast University Miami | $71,880–$86,680 total program | Accelerated | CCNE |
| Miami Dade College | $2,838/year (in-state) | Hybrid | CCNE |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,879/year (in-state) | Hybrid | CCNE |
Some nursing school applicants fixate on prestige; others scrutinize licensure exam performance as a concrete indicator of program quality. For BSN programs in Doral, the most accessible quality gauge is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
The Florida Board of Nursing publishes annual pass rates for every program, including West Coast University-Miami and South Florida College of Nursing’s Doral location. As of the 2025 reporting year, Florida’s average first-time pass rate was 81.82%, below the national average of 86.71%. That gap places Florida 47th among states, signaling that students should pay close attention to individual campus results.1
A strong first-time pass rate suggests a program effectively prepares graduates for entry-level practice, but it’s not a standalone metric. Pairing it with graduation rates and employment outcomes creates a fuller picture. A program might report a high NCLEX rate while struggling with student retention, so balance the numbers with firsthand student feedback and job placement data where available.
The Florida Board of Nursing annual report is the authoritative source for campus-level rates. Prospective students can visit the board’s website to verify current figures for West Coast University-Miami Doral, South Florida College of Nursing, or any other accredited program. This transparency lets you ground your decision in outcomes rather than marketing claims.
What prerequisites and entrance exam scores do BSN programs in Doral require, and what flexible formats such as accelerated or RN-to-BSN tracks are available? Navigating nursing school admissions means lining up transcripts, test scores, and choosing a format that works with your life. In Doral, institutions like West Coast University Miami set clear benchmarks while offering multiple pathways to the BSN.
A high school diploma or equivalency is the starting point, and many programs ask for a minimum cumulative GPA, typically 2.5 or higher, though exact cutoffs vary. West Coast University Miami evaluates applicants using one of several recognized exams: the HESI A2, TEAS, or SAT/ACT. Check which exam your target program prefers, as scores can influence admission decisions. Prospective students at South Florida College of Nursing should verify prerequisites and required tests directly with the school, as criteria can change between cohorts.
Program length and structure differ significantly depending on the track you choose. West Coast University Miami offers traditional, accelerated, evening and weekend, and working professional BSN pathways, along with an LPN/LVN to BSN bridge. Total time ranges from about 39 to 54 months, with accelerated options finishing much faster.
While West Coast University’s listed tracks focus on prelicensure BSN options, many colleges in the greater Miami area offer dedicated RN-to-BSN programs for current registered nurses. These typically build on an associate degree or diploma and take 12–24 months, often with hybrid or fully online delivery.
West Coast University Miami uses rolling admissions, so you can apply year-round. There is no waitlist, which means submitting a complete application early, transcripts, test scores, and any requested essays, helps you secure a spot in the upcoming cohort. Always confirm deadlines and admission requirements with each nursing school directly. Some programs may have firm cutoffs for specific start terms that differ from the rolling model.
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Some rankings lean on reputation and selectivity; ours are driven by hard numbers that directly affect your career and finances.
We rank Doral-area nursing programs using four data points:
Our ranking deliberately excludes factors that are critical but require deeper investigation:
The graduation rate figure is institution-wide: it covers all majors, not just nursing. So a school with strong engineering completion could look better on paper than its nursing program might suggest. Pair this ranking with the admissions details and NCLEX data elsewhere on this page to form a complete picture.
Choosing a BSN program in Doral means understanding the local landscape, from campus locations to accreditation and costs. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive from prospective nursing students in the Doral and greater Miami area.
