Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, program lengths, and outcomes for every Tampa-area BSN option.
Where do Tampa hospitals hire the most new-grad BSNs right now? With the metro area adding over 5,000 healthcare positions in 2025 and large systems like BayCare and Tampa General expanding specialty units, demand for baccalaureate-trained nurses continues to push enrollment in traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks across the region.
Not all programs offer the same return: NCLEX pass rates at Tampa schools range from the high 70s to over 95%, and clinical hour requirements vary by more than 200 hours between programs. A program’s partnership with a Level I trauma center or dedicated oncology rotation often determines where graduates land their first jobs, making site-of-training as decisive as tuition price or graduation rate.
Our 2026 rankings spotlight Tampa-area nursing programs that combine strong graduate outcomes, affordability, and clinical connections. Schools are ordered by institutional performance metrics including graduation rates and early-career earnings, with special attention to programs that prepare graduates for the NCLEX and local workforce needs.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $10,000/yr | Research-driven Tampa flagship with hospital network | |
University of South Florida's College of Nursing offers a traditional BSN through an upper-division pathway and an accelerated second-degree option for career changers, both delivered on campus in Tampa. USF reports a 77% overall graduation rate and an institution-wide median earnings of $57,743 for graduates, with a net price of about $9,812 for in-state students. Strong ties to Tampa General Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center provide robust clinical placement opportunities.
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| #2 | Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | $24,000/yr | Faith-based BSN education in Tampa Bay | |
Florida College's CCNE-accredited BSN integrates nursing science with Christian principles, delivered on its Temple Terrace campus just outside Tampa. The institution reports a 54% overall graduation rate and a net price of $23,931, with median graduate earnings of $43,445. Small cohort sizes and dedicated faculty support a personalized learning experience.
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| #3 | The University of Tampa | Tampa, FL | $36,000/yr | High NCLEX scores and global rotations | |
The University of Tampa's four-year BSN emphasizes global health through annual travel courses and boasts a 95% NCLEX pass rate. With an overall graduation rate of 64% and a net price of $36,211, graduates see median earnings of $59,436. The program includes 59 general education and 66 nursing credits, plus diverse clinical rotations.
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| #4 | Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay | Saint Petersburg, FL | $28,000/yr | ||
Galen College of Nursing's Tampa Bay campus offers an accelerated 3-year BSN designed for students new to nursing, with four start dates per year and no application fee. The school reports a 63% overall graduation rate and a net price of $28,197, with median graduate earnings of $61,480. Personalized advising and modern simulation labs support student success.
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| #5 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | $4,000/yr (net price) | ||
Hillsborough Community College's ACEN-accredited ASN program prepares students for NCLEX-RN in four semesters across Tampa-area campuses. HCC reports a 34% overall graduation rate and a net price of $3,861 for in-district students, with median graduate earnings of $40,782. The 72-credit curriculum includes clinical simulation and a capstone.
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| #6 | St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL | $1,000/yr | ||
St. Petersburg College offers an entirely online RN-to-BSN for working nurses, an associate degree in nursing, and an LPN-RN bridge track. The college reports a 38% overall graduation rate and a net price of about $1,471 for in-state students, with median earnings of $42,557. Its ASN program boasts a 90% NCLEX pass rate and 91.7% job placement.
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| #7 | Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa | Tampa, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | ||
Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa provides a 3-year CCNE-accredited BSN with year-round start dates and night classes for general education. The school reports a net price of $36,680; overall graduation rate data is not yet published. Institution-wide, graduates earn a median of $34,657. The program emphasizes hands-on simulation and clinical experiences.
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| #8 | Ultimate Medical Academy | Clearwater, FL | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Ultimate Medical Academy's ASN program in Clearwater blends online instruction with on-campus simulation and 615 clinical hours. UMA reports a 55% overall graduation rate and a net price of $20,457, with median graduate earnings of $29,194. The program includes NCLEX prep and career services support.
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Tampa nursing schools offer several routes to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, each with different time commitments and learning formats. The right choice depends on your prior education, work schedule, and career goals.
Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed. For 2025, the national average pass rate stands at 86.71%, while Florida trails at 81.82%. Tampa-area programs, however, consistently outperform these benchmarks. In 2024, the collective pass rate for Tampa RN programs was 92.48%, with 910 of 984 candidates succeeding.
These figures come from Florida Board of Nursing annual reports, and while statewide data shows room for improvement, Tampa's nursing schools are clearly delivering.
High pass rates often signal effective clinical training, but what about earnings and debt? Program-level earnings one year after graduation are not yet available for these schools. However, longer-term data offers clues. For example, USF nursing bachelor's graduates have a median earnings of $57,743 ten years after entering the program. That figure places them favorably among Florida nursing programs. Debt loads are also moderate: USF graduates hold a median debt of $17,998. Assuming typical repayment terms, that suggests manageable monthly payments for a new nurse's salary.
While similar outcome metrics for UT aren't included in this dataset, the school's repeated perfect NCLEX performance strongly implies graduates are well-prepared for the workforce and likely enjoy strong employment outcomes.
Nursing school admissions across Florida have become increasingly competitive, and Tampa’s top programs often have more rigorous standards than their universities’ overall acceptance rates suggest.
Selectivity numbers can be misleading if you look only at the institution-wide figures. For example, the University of South Florida accepts around 43% of all undergraduate applicants, but its Upper Division BSN track is highly competitive and typically admits a much smaller share. Successful applicants often exceed the minimum grade of C in all eight required prerequisite courses1, presenting GPAs well above the threshold. The University of Tampa, a private institution, maintains a dedicated nursing admission process with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a prerequisite GPA of 2.502, though its most recent entering classes averaged GPAs between 3.6 and 3.683.
Tampa’s BSN programs require a mix of prerequisites, standardized exams, and tight deadlines.
Because nursing programs often use holistic review, factoring in healthcare experience, essays, and recommendations, meeting the minimums does not guarantee a seat.
Accreditation ensures your degree meets national standards and qualifies you for licensure and future graduate study. Both the University of Tampa and USF’s BSN programs hold CCNE accreditation21, the most common credential for baccalaureate nursing education. Other Tampa-area programs may carry ACEN accreditation; either is recognized by the Florida Board of Nursing. When evaluating for-profit institutions like Chamberlain University (which offers a Tampa campus BSN), verify their accreditation status and inquire about clinical placement support, since for-profit models can vary in student services and tuition structure.
Beyond admissions metrics, consider how a program fits your life. Many Tampa nursing students work while attending school. Public universities like USF offer daytime, lock-step cohorts, which can be challenging for employed students. Private and for-profit options may provide more flexible schedules, evening or weekend classes, but often at a higher cost. Compare total tuition, financial aid, and the net price at nearby public universities, including the top nursing schools in Florida; USF’s in-state tuition is notably lower than private alternatives. Also look at graduation rates and NCLEX pass data (covered earlier) to gauge the program’s effectiveness.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area is home to major health systems such as Tampa General Hospital, BayCare, and AdventHealth, creating robust demand for new graduate nurses. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in this metro earned a median annual wage of approximately $78,000. With a cost of living below many coastal Florida cities, Tampa offers a compelling landscape to launch a nursing career.
Clinical rotations are where Tampa nursing students turn theory into hands-on practice, and the strength of a program’s hospital partnerships directly shapes that experience. In Tampa Bay, several BSN programs have established ties with the region’s largest healthcare employers.
Most accredited BSN programs in Tampa require between 700 and 800 hours of direct clinical experience, spread across acute care, long-term care, community health, and simulation labs. USF’s simulation lab provides high-fidelity scenarios that mirror real patient events, and many local programs use similar technology to supplement bedside training.
Strong partnerships often lead to job offers. Tampa hospitals frequently hire new graduates who performed well during their rotations, giving students a clear pathway from classroom to career. Choosing a program that rotates through a system you’d like to work for can be a strategic move, as it lets you network with nurse managers and prove your skills before graduation.
Still have questions about nursing programs in Tampa? Below you will find answers to some of the most common inquiries about BSN programs, costs, duration, and outcomes in the Tampa Bay area.
