Compare accredited nursing programs near Melbourne by cost, outcomes, and NCLEX performance.
Brevard County’s major health systems, Health First and Steward Health, increasingly require a BSN for new RN hires, giving degree-holders a clear advantage. The 10 programs ranked here span large public universities and smaller private colleges, with traditional campus, online RN-to-BSN, and hybrid formats. The ranking weighs tuition, net price, and graduate earnings to surface strong value. With Florida’s RN workforce growing faster than the national average, verifying a school’s NCLEX pass rates and clinical partnerships before enrolling can prevent costly delays and align students with high-demand roles.
Melbourne nursing students can choose from a range of strong degree options across Florida, including a standout local pipeline through UCF and several nationally recognized BSN programs elsewhere in the state. The list below ranks 10 schools based on outcomes, affordability, and format, giving special weight to programs that are either close to the Space Coast or offer flexible delivery.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $10,000/yr | Space Coast commuters and EFSC transfers | |
The University of Central Florida in Orlando is the closest major public BSN provider for Melbourne and the Space Coast. Through a strong transfer partnership with Eastern Florida State College and clinical affiliations across Central Florida, UCF offers a practical path for Brevard County students. Its cohorts consistently exceed state and national NCLEX pass rates, and the institution-wide graduation rate sits at 78%. In-state tuition is a manageable $6,368, with a net price of $10,411, making it a cost-effective choice for Florida residents.
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| #2 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | Aspiring nurse researchers and leaders | |
The University of Florida in Gainesville is the state's top-ranked BSN program, known for rigorous academics and a 91.1% institution-wide graduation rate. It offers Traditional, Accelerated, and RN to BSN tracks, all supported by UF Health's clinical network. In-state students pay $6,381 in tuition and fees, and the average net price is just $6,541, an exceptional value for a top-tier program. Graduates report a median debt of $15,000 and strong earnings.
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| #3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $11,000/yr | Holistic review applicants in Florida Panhandle | |
Florida State University in Tallahassee offers a nationally accredited BSN completed in just 15–16 months of upper-division coursework, ideal for efficient degree completion. The institution-wide graduation rate is 85.6%, and the program uses a holistic admissions review. In-state tuition is $6,517, with a net price of $11,297, and graduates earn a median $61,675 ten years out. The curriculum emphasizes community engagement and a wide range of clinical placements.
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| #4 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Florida International University in Miami offers a Traditional BSN, an Accelerated BSN, and a unique Foreign Educated Physician to BSN/MSN pathway. The institution-wide graduation rate is 74.4%. In-state tuition is $6,565, net price $9,288, and its Pell-eligible population is high at 81.3%, reflecting broad accessibility. The campus features the state-of-the-art S.T.A.R. Center for simulation-based learning.
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| #5 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
The University of South Florida in Tampa provides three BSN pathways including an Upper Division track and a specialized Veteran to BSN (V-CARE) option. The institution-wide graduation rate is 76.8%, with in-state tuition at $6,410 and a net price of $9,812. USF's clinical network is centered on the Tampa Bay region, but its programs are accessible to any Florida resident. Median graduate debt is $17,988 and earnings are $57,743 ten years out.
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| #6 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of North Florida in Jacksonville offers a Prelicensure BSN and a Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) track that admits high-achieving students directly from high school. The institution-wide graduation rate is 69.2%, with in-state tuition of $5,964 and a net price of $10,154. The programs emphasize community-based learning and have a strong regional reputation. Median graduate debt is $15,531, and earnings ten years out reach $56,343.
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| #7 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $37,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Miami in Coral Gables is a private university with a highly selective 18.9% admission rate and an 83.7% institution-wide graduation rate. It offers Traditional and Accelerated BSN options plus a hybrid RN-to-BSN. Tuition is $62,616 regardless of residency, but the net price after aid averages $37,244. Graduates earn a median $75,328 ten years out, the highest in this ranking, and report median debt of $17,500.
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| #8 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeastern College in West Palm Beach offers an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing, making it a stepping stone to RN licensure rather than a BSN. The institution-wide graduation rate is 87.5%, though its retention rate is lower at 67%. Tuition is $24,480, and the net price is $28,820. Graduates report a median debt of $19,000 and earnings of $41,200 ten years out, reflecting typical associate-degree RN outcomes.
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| #9 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $5,000 – $17,000/yr | ||
Florida Atlantic University's BSN in Boca Raton is a hybrid, limited-access program requiring 840 clinical hours. The institution-wide graduation rate is 62.6%, in-state tuition is $4,879, and the net price is $8,752, making it one of the most affordable options. The curriculum features a caring-science philosophy, and graduates are eligible for AHNCC certification. Median debt is $17,236, with $56,746 in median earnings.
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| #10 | Antigua College International | Miami Lakes, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
Antigua College International in Miami Lakes is a small private college offering a hybrid BSN spanning 42 months. The institution has a low 33% retention rate, and graduation rate data is not yet published. Tuition is $13,400, with a net price of $29,211. It integrates liberal arts and sciences with nursing core courses, totaling 120 credits and 2,250 hours of combined lecture, lab, and clinical instruction. Earnings outcomes are not yet available from the Department of Education.
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The following table displays in-state and out-of-state tuition as well as the average net price after financial aid for each nursing program. Net price is an institution-wide figure, not specific to the nursing program, so your actual cost may differ. High Pell Grant participation at many of these schools suggests robust need-based aid, but we encourage contacting each financial aid office for a personalized package.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (Institution Average) | Pell Grant Recipients (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian River State College | $2,764 | $10,201 | $3,815 | 91.2% |
| Gulf Coast State College | $2,370 | $8,635 | $4,709 | 87.8% |
| Florida Gateway College | $3,100 | $11,747 | $5,364 | 93.1% |
| Miami Dade College | $2,838 | $9,661 | $5,463 | 96.8% |
| Lake-Sumter State College | $3,292 | $13,276 | $5,855 | 91.1% |
| Saint Johns River State College | $2,591 | $9,334 | $6,135 | 85.8% |
| Eastern Florida State College | $2,791 | $10,976 | $6,440 | 84.7% |
| University of Florida | $6,381 | $28,659 | $6,541 | 66.7% |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,879 | $17,324 | $8,752 | 72.2% |
| Florida International University | $6,565 | $18,964 | $9,288 | 81.3% |
NCLEX-RN pass rates tell you the percentage of a program’s graduates who pass the national nursing licensure exam on their first attempt. It’s one of the most direct signals of how well a school prepares students for entry into practice.
Eastern Florida State College reported an 81.94% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for its most recent graduating cohort.1 That sits just above the 2026 Florida statewide average of 81.82%, which places Florida 47th nationally.2 Other Melbourne-area programs, such as the campuses of Jersey College and Arizona College, have not yet published independently verified NCLEX data through the Florida Board of Nursing, so direct comparisons aren’t possible for these newer entrants.
Federal earnings data for Melbourne nursing programs is not yet available. For context, federal data from other Florida BSN programs shows a median of roughly $55,000 to $75,000 several years after graduation, though amounts vary widely by location and employer. When evaluating a school, ask admissions staff about graduate job-placement rates and starting salary ranges in Brevard County, as local market conditions can differ meaningfully from statewide figures.
NCLEX pass rates aren’t static. They can dip or climb with changes in cohort size, curriculum updates, or the exam’s difficulty threshold. For the most current numbers for any program, check the Florida Board of Nursing’s website directly, which publishes official pass-rate reports.
Traditional prelicensure programs bring students to campus for labs and classroom instruction, but many working nurses accelerate their careers through fully online RN-to-BSN tracks that never set foot in a lecture hall. Understanding these pathways, and the clinical and accreditation frameworks that support them, helps you pick the right program in Melbourne.
Accreditation verifies that a program meets quality standards essential for licensure and graduate school. Prelicensure associate degrees (ADN) typically hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), while baccalaureate and master’s programs often carry Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) approval. For Melbourne students, Eastern Florida State College’s ADN holds ACEN continuing accreditation, ensuring graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. When evaluating any program, confirm its current accreditation status with the Florida Board of Nursing.
Hands-on clinical experience defines nursing education, and Melbourne students benefit from major regional hospitals. Key placement sites include Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital, and Parrish Medical Center. Jersey College’s Melbourne campus lists Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne Regional Medical Center as direct clinical partners. Broader coordination comes via the Nursing Consortium of Florida’s centralized clinical placement system, which streamlines rotations for many Brevard County programs. Additionally, Orlando Health offers a summer student nurse externship (June 1–July 25, 2026) that provides paid clinical exposure.
Eastern Florida State College’s prelicensure ADN uses a hybrid format with on-campus components and clinicals across Brevard County. Its RN-to-BSN completion program is entirely online, designed for working nurses who need flexibility. Nationally, RN-to-BSN pathways are overwhelmingly online, ideal for Melbourne nurses balancing jobs and family. For those seeking a hybrid BSN directly, some ranked Florida programs like Florida Atlantic University and Antigua College International offer hybrid BSNs that combine online coursework with local clinical placements. While these programs may require occasional travel to campus, they often arrange clinical rotations near your home community. Always confirm that online programs can secure clinical sites in Brevard County before enrolling.
Securing a spot in a competitive nursing program often means balancing a tight timeline of prerequisites with entrance exam preparation and early application deadlines. The process rewards students who plan ahead and understand what each school expects.
Eastern Florida State College, a primary pathway in Brevard County and one of the top nursing schools in Florida, requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, with no prerequisite grade lower than a C. Applicants must take the TEAS VII exam and score at least 69 percent. Prerequisite courses include BSCC 1010, BSCC 2093, BSCC 2094, and MCBC 2010, so completing these early is critical.1 Other programs, such as those at Jersey College Melbourne and Arizona College Melbourne, set their own thresholds, but most expect a similar foundation in sciences and a competitive entrance exam score.
Eastern Florida State College has a firm application deadline for the Fall term: the second Thursday in March. Because seats fill quickly and admissions are competitive, submitting all materials well before that date is wise. You can take the TEAS up to three times per year, but you must arrange for official test scores to be sent directly to the school.1
The effort is worthwhile. Registered Nurses in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville metro area earn a median annual wage of $79,560,1 offering a solid return on your educational investment.
Prospective nursing students in Melbourne often have similar questions about programs, costs, and outcomes. Below, we answer the most common queries based on data and insights covered in the earlier sections.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, aspiring nurses can explore additional accredited options across Florida. The following directory highlights nursing schools in Melbourne, Brevard County, and other parts of the state, including online, hybrid, and on-campus formats. Click any program to learn more about admissions, costs, and clinical opportunities.
