Best ADN Programs in Florida (2026 Rankings)

Eastern Florida State College has offered its Associate in Science in Nursing (ADN) since 1966, making it one of the longest-running nursing programs in Brevard County. The program runs 72 credit hours and delivers the traditional two-year track from the Melbourne campus, with all core courses held on campus and clinical rotations scheduled Monday through Sunday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, at sites throughout Brevard County. Students also have access to a 13-month Transition to RN track that awards advanced standing to qualified Florida Licensed Practical Nurses, Paramedics, and registered Respiratory Therapists. Innovative simulation technology, including a Human Patient Simulator, is integrated throughout. The program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

EFSC's ADN graduation rate is 52%, and the program produced 175 graduates in 2023 with an 88% on-time completion rate. The most recent published NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are 69.52% for 2025, 80.79% for 2024, and 81.94% for 2023. The 2025 figure trails the national average, which prospective students should factor into their preparation plans. Estimated total program cost for Florida residents runs approximately $11,000, anchored by an in-state tuition of $2,048 per year. The 2023 ADN job placement rate was 98%, and the program earns a Hakia Score of 92.3, the highest among Florida ADN programs in this ranking. EFSC is a strong fit for Brevard County residents who want a low-cost, clinically intensive path to the RN credential and can commit to flexible clinical scheduling including weekends.

ADN graduates sit for the identical NCLEX-RN exam as BSN graduates and earn the same registered nurse license. Registered nurses nationally earn a BLS median of $97,550 per year. Many EFSC ADN graduates choose to bridge to a BSN later through an online RN-to-BSN program while already employed as RNs, cutting the cost of initial licensure while keeping the full career pathway open.

Valencia College offers a Traditional Track Associate in Science in Nursing in Orlando, a limited-access program that admits students separately from general college admission. Applicants must complete a demanding prerequisite sequence before applying: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Nutrition, Freshman Composition, General or Developmental Psychology, Mathematical Thinking, and a Government or U.S. History course. Every prerequisite must be passed with at least a C, and the cumulative prerequisite GPA must reach 3.0 or higher. Applicants also sit for the ATI TEAS and must score a minimum of 78. Clinical rotations are conducted at partnering healthcare agencies throughout the region in coordination with the Florida State Board of Nursing. The program is coordinated with local healthcare agencies and the State Department of Education, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Graduates of the A.S. program may transfer to any Florida public college or university to complete a B.S.N., providing a clear bridge pathway for those who want to advance after working as an RN.

Valencia is one of the largest community colleges in the country, with an enrollment of over 47,000 students, and its nursing program benefits from deep ties to Orlando's healthcare market. The graduation rate for the ADN program is 48%, and in-state tuition is $2,467 per year, making it one of the most affordable entries to the nursing profession in Central Florida. No admit rate is published for the limited-access nursing cohort specifically. The program earns a Hakia Score of 90.8. It is best suited for students who meet the prerequisite bar, can commit to on-campus clinicals, and want a low-cost RN credential with a built-in pathway to a BSN through Florida's statewide articulation agreements.

BLS data puts the national median RN wage at $97,550 per year. The ADN and BSN lead to the same license; Valencia's articulation agreements with Florida public universities mean a graduate can return to earn a BSN online while working as an RN, which is the typical path for cost-conscious students in Central Florida.

Miami Regional University operates a pre-licensure Associate Degree in Nursing program at its Miami Springs campus. MRU's School of Nursing pairs classroom instruction with hands-on clinical practice in real-world healthcare settings. The program emphasizes small class sizes and one-on-one faculty engagement. MRU operates a dedicated Center for Student Achievement (CSA) that supports students through the full licensure process, offering adaptive practice testing, skills bootcamps, and question-and-answer sessions designed specifically around the NCLEX-RN exam. The program is designed for individuals entering nursing for the first time and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses. Flexible scheduling options are noted for students with varying availability.

MRU's ADN graduation rate is 84%, the strongest completion figure among the Florida programs in this ranking, and the program earns a Hakia Score of 89.3. Enrollment at the institution is approximately 916 students, which reflects MRU's intentionally smaller scale compared to the large community colleges in this ranking. As a private for-profit institution, tuition is not listed in publicly available IPEDS data for this program. Prospective students should contact MRU directly for current tuition and fee schedules and verify NCLEX pass rates directly with the school before enrolling. This program fits students who want smaller cohorts, structured NCLEX support, and proximity to Miami's large hospital network.

The same RN license is earned by ADN and BSN graduates alike; the license is issued after passing the NCLEX-RN. BLS OEWS data reports the national median RN wage at $97,550 per year. Many nurses in the Miami metropolitan area who enter through an ADN later complete an online RN-to-BSN to meet employer preferences at Magnet-designated hospitals in the region.

New Professions Technical Institute is a small, career-focused institution in Miami with an enrollment of approximately 514 students. NPTI offers nursing programs within its School of Nursing alongside a range of allied health and business credentials. The program is structured for direct entry into the nursing profession, and graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam to earn their registered nurse credential. NPTI's programs page lists two nursing programs; prospective students should contact the institution directly to confirm current program length, clinical site arrangements, and scheduling formats, as the institution's published web content does not detail these specifics at the level available for larger programs.

NPTI reports a 100% graduation rate for its nursing program, the highest completion figure among all four Florida ADN programs in this ranking, and earns a Hakia Score of 89.1. The institution's small scale is reflected in that completion figure, as smaller cohorts can produce higher reported rates. Tuition data for NPTI is not available through IPEDS public datasets; prospective students must confirm current costs and program-specific NCLEX pass rates directly with the institution. No admit rate is published. This program suits students in the Miami area who want a compact, vocationally focused environment rather than a large community college setting.

An ADN from any accredited program leads to the same RN license as a BSN. The BLS national median for registered nurses is $97,550 per year. Given NPTI's limited publicly available program data, applicants should request NCLEX first-time pass rates, clinical placement details, and accreditation status in writing before committing.

Indian River State College's Associate in Science Degree in Nursing runs out of the Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie and offers two distinct tracks. Track One is the traditional four-semester, two-year sequence covering all general education and nursing coursework. Track Two, the Bridge to RN, compresses that into 1.5 years and is open exclusively to Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Respiratory Therapists, and Licensed Paramedics who still must meet all Track One admission requirements. Both tracks include real-world clinical rotations and immersive simulation training; no prelicensure ADN can substitute supervised in-person clinical hours. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and, upon passing, hold the same full RN license as any BSN graduate. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) with continuing accreditation status.

IRSC's in-state tuition of $2,496 per year sits among the lowest in Florida, a direct result of its community-college base. The program reports a 45% graduation rate per IPEDS data, which reflects the competitive limited-access admissions pool and the demands of a rigorous clinical curriculum rather than program quality alone. Admission requires a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA, completion of prerequisite sciences (Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Nutrition, Psychology, and a core math), and a passing HESI A2 entrance exam score. No NCLEX pass rate is published on the program page, so none is cited here. With a Hakia Score of 87.8, IRSC ranks fifth among Florida ADN programs, driven by its accreditation standing, dual-track flexibility, and exceptionally low cost of entry. The IRSC ADN is a strong fit for career changers and healthcare workers already holding an LPN, paramedic, or respiratory therapy credential who want the fastest, least expensive path to RN licensure on the Treasure Coast.

FVI School of Nursing and Technology delivers its Associate of Science in Nursing at its Miami campus (with an extension campus in Miramar) in 22 months. The curriculum blends classroom instruction in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care with mandatory hands-on clinical rotations at affiliated healthcare facilities; the program is not fully online. FVI structures NCLEX-RN preparation from the first day of enrollment, embedding clinical judgment exercises, video tutorials, and structured review sessions throughout the 22-month sequence. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at both the Miami and Miramar campuses, and the institution itself holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Credits are designed to transfer into RN-to-BSN bridge programs for graduates who want to pursue a bachelor's degree while working as an RN.

FVI's 89% graduation rate is the standout figure in this cohort and signals that most students who enter the program complete it, a meaningful indicator at a private institution where financial stakes are higher. The admit rate is 74%, making admission selective without being exclusionary. No specific NCLEX pass rate is published on the program page, so none is cited here. Flexible scheduling with day and evening options and an explicitly student-centric support model, including accessible faculty and resources for working parents, distinguish FVI in the Miami market. With a Hakia Score of 87.1 and an enrollment of 661, the program operates at a scale where individualized attention is realistic. Financial aid is available for qualifying students. This program fits motivated Miami-area students who need scheduling flexibility and a structured, intensive path to the NCLEX-RN in under two years.

Daytona State College's Associate of Science in Nursing is a 72-credit-hour, two-year limited-access program offered through the College of Health and Public Services. The curriculum covers both general education requirements (including Florida Civic Literacy) and nursing-specific coursework, with all clinical rotations completed in person at affiliated healthcare settings. DSC offers two admission tracks: a Traditional ADN Track for students entering nursing from any background, and a Transition Track for LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists who submit proof of a current Florida license and at least one year of documented work experience. Applications are accepted only twice per year, in May and September, for August and January program starts respectively. The TEAS entrance exam is required, scored at the 65th percentile or higher, and must be taken in person at a Daytona State campus. The program is a limited-access program, meaning admission is competitive and seats are finite. Completing the degree makes graduates eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

At $3,072 per year in-state tuition, DSC offers a low-cost entry to RN licensure by Florida community college standards. The program reports a 43% graduation rate per IPEDS, consistent with a highly competitive, limited-access model where the pool is large (roughly 800 applications per year) and the cohort that enters faces clinical and academic demands that produce attrition. The average GPA among accepted applicants is 3.4, which signals the bar for competitiveness. No admit rate or NCLEX pass rate is published on the program page, so neither is cited here. Admission points are awarded based on TEAS score and prerequisite GPA. With a Hakia Score of 86.7, DSC ranks among Florida's top ADN programs and suits high-GPA students in the Daytona Beach area willing to compete for a seat in one of Florida's larger nursing programs.

Florida Gateway College offers a 72-credit Associate of Science in Nursing (ASDN) at its main campus in Lake City. The program equips students with nursing knowledge and clinical skills across acute care, emergency care, critical care, home health, and maternal and infant care settings; all clinical hours are completed in person at affiliated sites. Admission standards are specific: all prerequisite courses must be finished with a 2.8 GPA or better, but the three science prerequisites (Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Microbiology, each with labs) require a minimum 3.0 GPA and must have been completed within five years of the application date. Students must also meet clinical eligibility requirements, including a Level II background check and drug screening, before beginning the program. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), with the most recent accreditation decision listed as Continuing Accreditation with Conditions; prospective students should review the public ACEN record directly. Graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN in Florida and, under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, in the other 42 compact states.

FGC's in-state tuition of $2,369 per year is the lowest in this Florida ADN cohort, reflecting its small-college, rural community-college structure. The 54% graduation rate per IPEDS is the strongest among the three public schools in this group, suggesting that students who meet the rigorous science prerequisites tend to persist. No NCLEX pass rate is published on the program page, so none is cited here. No specific admit rate figure is available. With a Hakia Score of 86.7 and an enrollment of 2,921, FGC operates at a scale that allows more individualized interaction than larger Florida colleges. The program is best suited to students in the Lake City or North Central Florida region who have a solid science foundation and want the lowest-cost route to full RN licensure, with the understanding that the ACEN accreditation with conditions status warrants independent verification before enrolling.

Lake-Sumter State College's Associate in Science (A.S.) in Nursing is a 72-credit-hour, in-person program offered at the Leesburg and South Lake campuses. Students complete clinical rotations at AdventHealth Waterman Hospital, Orlando Health, UF Health, and LifeStream Behavioral Center, giving them exposure across acute care and behavioral health settings. The program runs 3 to 4 semesters from entry to completion. Two admission tracks exist: the General Track for students with no prior nursing licensure who have finished prerequisites, and the Bridge Track for current LPNs or paramedics who receive advanced placement. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

Total program cost is approximately $15,750 covering tuition, lab fees, and required equipment, against an in-state tuition rate of $3,292 per year. The 48% graduation rate reflects a selective, limited-access structure; no open-enrollment admit rate is published. The program earned a Hakia Score of 86, driven by that 97.3% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. Graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN as BSN graduates and hold an identical RN license. RNs earn a national median of $97,550 per year according to the BLS. After passing the NCLEX-RN, LSSC graduates can roll directly into a 100% online RN-to-BSN program, the typical play for nurses who want Magnet-hospital eligibility without paying BSN tuition upfront.

Seminole State College of Florida offers an A.S. in Nursing (ADN) in Sanford, with three distinct pathways: a full-time traditional program, a part-time schedule built for working adults, and a concurrent enrollment option co-developed with UCF's College of Nursing for students who want to pursue a BSN in parallel. All pathways require in-person clinical rotations; students must clear criminal background checks, meet immunization requirements, obtain CPR certification, and be certified Fit for Duty before clinical placement. The curriculum was designed with direct input from Central Florida healthcare employers, and the college reports a near-perfect job-placement rate among graduates. Faculty are licensed healthcare professionals with active industry experience.

In-state tuition is $2,393 per year, and Seminole State charges the same rate regardless of residency, making it one of the lowest-cost ADN programs in Central Florida by sticker price. The 41% graduation rate reflects a competitive, limited-access admission structure. No NCLEX-RN pass rate is published on the program page, so the Hakia Score of 86 draws on cost, graduate outcomes, and institutional data from IPEDS. Graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN as BSN graduates and earn an identical RN license. The BLS reports a national median wage of $97,550 for registered nurses. After licensure, graduates can advance through Seminole State's own RN-to-BSN program or transfer directly into UCF's nursing college, a structured ladder that keeps tuition low at each step.