Florida BSN Programs: Best Nursing Schools In Florida In 2023

Want to attend one of the best BSN programs in Florida but not sure where to start your search?

Then you’ve come to the right place!

In this post, we’ve ranked the top 10 Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in the state.

Unlike other sites that use questionable methodology in their rankings, we’ve based our rankings on hard data. We compiled the 2021 NCLEX pass rates for each school from the Florida Board of Nursing and ranked them accordingly.

Unfortunately, Florida has one of the nation’s worst average performances on the NCLEX, which may make getting an online degree sound more enticing than attending a program at one of the state’s university campuses.

Of course, online BSN degree programs are typically faster and more affordable than attending school at traditional four-year universities, so it could be a good option to consider.

For now though, let’s take a look at the top BSN programs in Florida.

What Is The Best BSN Program in Florida?

The best BSN programs in Florida are Keiser University at Ft. Meyers and Lincoln Memorial University Caylor School of Nursing.

Impressively, both schools had a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 100%.

However, just because these schools ranked top of our list doesn’t necessarily mean they are the right schools for you.

Read on for more typical Florida BSN program information and details about these universities.

10 Best BSN Programs in Florida Ranked

To: The following table ranks the best BSN programs in Florida by the 2021 NCLEX pass rate to help you choose a BSN program in Florida and learn more about each school.

School	2021 NCLEX Pass Rate
Keiser University at Ft. Meyers	100%
Lincoln Memorial University Caylor School of Nursing	100%
Florida Gulf Coast University	97.67%
ECPI College of Nursing	97.53%
Rasmussen University at Central Pasco	96.36%
Florida National University at Miami	95.35%
University of West Florida	94.35%
University of Tampa	93.15%
University of Central Florida	92.42%
Florida State University	92.23%

1. Keiser University at Ft. Meyers

As we mentioned above, Keiser University at Ft. Meyers was tied for first in our list of top BSN programs in Florida with an NCLEX pass rate of 100%.

This school also offers its nursing program at locations other than its Ft. Meyers campus, but the NCLEX pass rates for the other locations weren’t quite as impressive. Therefore, if you choose this program, you’ll probably want to apply to this campus.

Keiser University has four different tracks to earn your degree:

• Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• FastTrack Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

You can apply directly to the Traditional BSN without completing any prerequisites. If you already have your lower-division courses completed, you can apply to the FastTrack BSN to get your degree in four semesters.

The Accelerated BSN pathway is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing degree.

Finally, the RN to BSN track is for those who are already Registered Nurses and can be completed in as little as 12 months.

According to GradReports:

• Impressively, the employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $32,570 (based on 165 students)
• Median alumni salary is $66,010 (based on 104 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 52/100 salary score

There were also some positive reviews left on GradReports. For example:

“Not only did Keiser University help me with the hands on training that I needed to walk right from my graduation into the job I wanted, I knew that everyone from the Admissions team to the Professors actually cared about my success. I will forever be grateful to the faculty and staff that helped me achieve my goals.”

-Sally Jones (March 19, 2021)

2. Lincoln Memorial University Caylor School of Nursing

The other school tied for first in our Florida BSN program rankings is Lincoln Memorial University Caylor School of Nursing with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 100%.

This school is actually primarily based out of Tennessee. However, the university partnered with Advent Health (formerly Florida Hospital) to create an off-campus site in Tampa, FL.

You can earn your degree through a traditional BSN track or an RN to BSN track.

The traditional track is an accelerated, 17-month pathway. You must complete your prerequisites prior to applying.

The RN to BSN program, on the other hand, is for working RN, is 100% online, and can be completed full time or part time.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
• Median debt after graduation is $23,130 (based on 169 students)
• Median alumni salary is $50,690 (based on 136 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 9/100 salary score

3. Florida Gulf Coast University

Third on our list of top-rated BSN programs in Florida is Florida Gulf Coast University with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 97.67%.

This school only offers one traditional BSN program.

To gain entry, you’ll need to first need to enter into the Pre-nursing program. After you complete your prerequisites, you can apply for the Upper-division nursing program.

Some other things it’s important to note are:

• Enrollment in consecutive semesters (inlcuding summer) is mandatory
• Fall admission students can complete the program in five semester, and Spring admission students can complete it in six semesters
• The program spans a five county region, so travel is necessary
• Successful students have been known to spend upwards of 60 hours a week in class, labs, and studying

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $18,500 (based on 76 students)
• Median alumni salary is $59,530 (based on 85 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 29/100 salary score

4. ECPI College of Nursing

The next school on our list of best BSN programs in Florida is ECPI College of Nursing with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 97.53%.

This school offers multiple pathways to earn you Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

• Accelerated BSN
• BS to BSN
• RN to BSN

The Acclerated BSN pathway can be completed in as little as two and half years and is designed to take you from no degree to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Instruction is delivered both in person and online.

The BS to BSN track is designed for students who hold a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. This pathway is designed to be completed in as little as 12 months.

Finally, the RN to BSN program is designed for working RNs and is completed online. It can be completed in as little as 12 months with full-time study.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
• Median debt after graduation is $18,750 (sample size not reported)
• Median alumni salary is $63,380 (based on 108 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 42/100 salary score

5. Rasmussen University at Central Pasco

The fifth school in our ranking of best BSN programs in Florida is Rasmussen University at Central Pasco with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 96.36%.

This school offers three different pathways to earn your degree:

• BSN Standard Degree
• BSN Second Degree
• RN to BSN

The Standard BSN degree is designed for students who don’t hold a degree yet and can be completed in less than three years. Once you’ve completed your prerequisites, you are admitted directly into the BSN program. This means there’s no need to apply twice.

The BSN Second degree track is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and can be completed in as little as 18 months.

The RN to BSN track is for students who are already RNs and hold an Associate degree. It is fully online and can be completed in 12 to 18 months.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
• Median debt after graduation is $18,750 (based on 587 students)
• Median alumni salary is $66,890 (based on 302 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 55/100 salary score

6. Florida National University at Miami

Next on our list of top BSN programs in Florida is Florida National University at Miami with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 95.35%

This school offers three different ways to earn your Bachelor’s degree:

• Traditional BSN
• RN to BSN
• Foreign Physician BSN

The traditional BSN track is designed for students with no prior nursing degree or experience. General education courses begin every eight weeks, and Nursing Core courses begin every 16 weeks.

The RN to BSN program requires that you hold an active RN license to apply. Both general education and Nursing Core courses begin every eight weeks.

Finally, foregin students that graduated as a medical doctor from another country and practiced as a physician for at least two years are eligible to apply to the Foregin Physicians BSN track.

Unfortunately, GradReports has no data on this school. However, one reviewer on Niche said:

“My experience with this University is awesome! The entire faculty is dedicated to assisting students with all of the necessary tools with which to succeed in completing their degrees and in their personal lives with additional advising, counseling/recommendations.”

(Graduate Student, Fall 2021)

7. University of West Florida

The seventh school on our list of top 10 BSN programs in Florida is University of West Florida with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 94.35%.

This university offers both a traditional BSN pathway as well as an RN to BSN track.

To enroll in the traditional BSN track, you’ll first need to complete your prerequisite courses. From there, you can apply to the program and complete it in four semesters (62 credit hours). Finally, keep in mind that you’ll need to take the TEAS test (Test of Essential Academic Skills) before you can apply.

The RN to BSN program, on the other hand, is taught online and can be completed in less than a year.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 97%
• Median debt after graduation is $11,790 (based on 258 students)
• Median alumni salary is $58,370 (based on 245 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 25/100 salary score

8. University of Tampa

Next in our rankings of top BSN programs in Florida is University of Tampa with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 93.15%.

This school offers only one pathway to earn your BSN degree, and it’s the traditional Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

There is no direct entry into this program, so you’ll have to enroll as a pre-nursing major prior to taking the core nursing curriculum. Students typically apply for entry into the Nursing program during the Fall of their sophomore year.

You’ll also need to complete the TEAS exam. There’s no minimum score requirement, but a composite score of 72% or above is considered competitive and is the recommended target score.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 96%
• Median debt after graduation is $27,000 (based on 70 students)
• Median alumni salary is $58,810 (based on 66 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 27/100 salary score

9. University of Central Florida

Ninth on our list of top-rated BSN programs in Florida is University of Central Florida with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 92.42%.

This university provides four different tracks for earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree:

• Traditional BSN
• Second Degree BSN
• Concurrent ASN to BSN
• RN to BSN

According to their website, the program is highly-competitive and only admits new applicants once a year. Also important to note is that you must be admitted to UCF before you can apply to the Traditional BSN program. It’s a good idea to apply to this program prior to your junior year of college.

The Second Degree BSN is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree and would like to transition to a nursing career. It takes four consecutive semesters, including summers, to complete. Admission occurs each summer.

The concurrent ASN to BSN pathway allows students to take ASN courses at approved state colleges while taking BSN courses at University of Central Florida. This permits you to complete your ASN degree with over half of your BSN credit requirements, meaning you can earn your BSN degree faster.

Finally, the RN to BSN program is designed for licensed RNs who want to further their education. While some courses may be offered in person, this option can be completed fully online.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
• Median debt after graduation is $15,000 (based on 468 students)
• Median alumni salary is $59,070 (based on 631 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 28/100 salary score

10. Florida State University

The final school on our list of best BSN programs in Florida is Florida State University with a 2021 NCLEX pass rate of 92.23%.

This university offers both a traditional BSN as well as a Fast Track BSN.

To gain admission to the program, you’ll first need to complete your prerequisite courses. Once you complete your prerequisites, you can apply to enroll in the two-year course of nursing study. 72 students are admitted each Fall and Spring semester.

Meanwhile, the Fast Track BSN begins each summer and requires four consecutive semesters of study. This means it will take about 15 months to get your degree with this pathway. You’ll need to meet your admission requirements by the end of the Spring semester prior to the summer term you want to enroll in to gain admission to this BSN track.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
• Median debt after graduation is $18,500 (based on 116 students)
• Median alumni salary is $54,880 (based on 123 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 16/100 salary score

RN to BSN Online Florida

For those presently employed as RNs with an ADN or diploma, an RN to BSN program in Florida presents an exceptional opportunity to unlock fresh avenues in their nursing careers. Such programs recognize your prior academic achievements and practical experience, enabling you to attain a baccalaureate degree flexibly and cost-effectively. Embrace the chance to elevate your nursing journey with an RN to BSN program tailored to your needs.

How To Get a Nursing License in Florida

 For Licensure by Endorsement, the requirements are as follows:

• Hold a valid license to practice professional or practical nursing in another state or territory of the United States obtained by one of the following measures:
  • Successfully completing an approved or accredited nursing education program as required in Section 464.008, F.S.
  • Passing the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or the NCLEX.
• Alternatively, applicants can be eligible for licensure by endorsement if they have actively practiced nursing in another state, jurisdiction, or territory of the United States for 2 of the preceding three years without any criminal history or having their license acted against by any licensing authority.
• Applicants who have not been in active nursing practice within the past five years must take a remedial course as specified in Rule 64B9-3.0025, F.A.C., before licensure.
• Livescan service provider is mandatory for fingerprint submission to FDLE for initial licensure applicants.
• Disclose all past criminal charges except minor traffic offenses; failure to do so may lead to application denial.
• Applicants with past licensure denials, disciplinary actions, or pending actions by a licensing authority must submit Self-Explanation and Agency Records to the board.

What is the Average BSN Nurse Salary in Florida?

The average annual salary for a Registered Nurse in Florida is $69,510.

The state employs a total of about 183,130 RNs.

Is a BSN Program In Florida Right For You?

Any of the BSN programs we discussed above should make a fine choice if you decide to enroll in an undergraduate nursing program in Florida.

Keep in mind, however, that online degrees permit you to advance your education faster, for less money, and with a more flexible schedule.

If you’re considering enrolling in an online program but you’re not sure where to start your search, then click here!

FAQs

How much does it cost to get a nursing BSN in Florida?

Attaining a BSN entails a four-year educational journey accompanied by significant financial investments. In Florida, students seeking a more affordable option often opt for public schools where the average BSN program cost ranges from $12,461 to $37,160. 

Conversely, private for-profit institutions command higher tuition fees, ranging from $43,851 to $196,975. Meanwhile, private, not-for-profit schools, though offering prestigious education, come with price tags varying from $59,558 to $204,799. 

What is the easiest nursing program to get into in Florida?

The easiest nursing program to get into can vary depending on several factors, including the specific institution’s admission requirements, the number of applicants, and the overall competitiveness of the program. LPN and ADN programs are somewhat easier to get into than BSN and graduate-level programs.

Here’s why:

1. LPN and ADN Programs: These programs often have more available spots and may have more lenient admission criteria than BSN and advanced degree programs. The shorter duration of LPN and ADN programs allows for a quicker entry into the nursing workforce, which attracts a larger pool of applicants.

It’s important to note that while some nursing programs may be easier to get into, nursing is a demanding profession that requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to patient care and safety. 

What is the demand for BSN graduates in Florida? 

The demand for BSN graduates in Florida remains robust, with the state boasting one of the highest employment levels of RNs in the United States, totaling approximately 197,630, as per the latest BLS statistics. 

What is the starting salary for a BSN nurse in Florida?

The starting salary for RNs with a BSN in Florida typically ranges from around $79,355 to $98,000 per year for those with 0 to 1 years of experience. These figures may vary slightly based on factors such as the specific location within Florida, the healthcare facility or organization, and other individual considerations.