Best RN Programs in Florida: Top BSN Programs Ranked for 2026

The University of Florida College of Nursing offers three distinct BSN paths: the Traditional BSN for UF students and transfers who have completed lower-division prerequisites, the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for career-changers who already hold a four-year degree in another field, and an RN-to-BSN track delivered fully online through UF Online for working nurses with an associate degree. The program is CCNE-accredited and connects students with world-class teaching hospitals through UF Health and UF Health Jacksonville. Over 80% of undergraduates pursue graduate study within three years of earning their BSN.

UF posts a 91% graduation rate and admits only 24% of applicants, making it the most selective public nursing program in this Florida ranking. In-state tuition is $4,477 per year versus $25,694 for out-of-state students, so residency status matters enormously to total cost. The program earns a Hakia Score of 98.1, the top mark among Florida BSN programs evaluated, reflecting its combination of selectivity, completion outcomes, and low in-state cost. The ABSN track suits professionals pivoting to nursing; the online RN-to-BSN suits working RNs who cannot attend in person.

Registered nurses nationally earn a median wage of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data. UF's simulation and skills labs in Gainesville, an Academic Partnership Unit clinical model, and a dedicated Student Services team that guides graduates through the NCLEX licensing process give graduates a well-supported path to that credential.

The Florida State University College of Nursing offers a campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Tallahassee. The program is upper-division and specialized-admission, meaning students apply after completing prerequisites and general education requirements. It runs four consecutive semesters (15 to 16 months) and accepts students each Fall, Spring, and Summer. Clinical rotations span community health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and home settings, moving students through the full continuum of care and the lifespan. The program is nationally accredited and uses a holistic admissions process that weighs community engagement, work experience, and prerequisite GPA alongside overall academic record.

The numbers make the competitive picture clear: for the Fall 2026 cycle, roughly 150 seats were filled from a pool of over 600 applicants, and admitted students averaged approximately a 3.8 cumulative GPA. Many successful applicants also held at least one certification and had healthcare experience. FSU's overall admit rate is 24%, and the program's graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition is $4,640 per year; out-of-state is $19,084. The program earns a Hakia Score of 97.3. It is the right fit for academically strong applicants who want an intensive, campus-based cohort experience rather than a flexible online option.

The program explicitly prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and for graduate study. A minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required just to apply, with no grade below a C accepted in any prerequisite course, and prerequisites may be repeated only once. Prospective students should work with a pre-nursing advisor early to verify transfer course equivalency before the application deadline.

The University of Central Florida College of Nursing offers one of the broadest BSN entry structures in the state. The Traditional BSN has four tracks: traditional, accelerated second degree, concurrent, and RN-to-BSN. A separate Second Degree BSN is a full-time, lock-step four-semester program for career-changers with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The Concurrent ASN-to-BSN lets students earn an ASN at an approved state college while simultaneously completing BSN coursework at UCF, finishing with more than half their BSN credits already done. The RN-to-BSN is primarily online and reviewed individually to avoid repeating prior coursework. All programs are CCNE-accredited and meet Florida RN licensure eligibility criteria. Programs are offered across UCF's Orlando, Cocoa, and Daytona Beach campuses.

UCF is the largest university in this ranking by enrollment (69,713 students) and the most accessible by admit rate at 40%. The graduation rate is 78% and in-state tuition is $4,478 per year ($19,810 out-of-state). The program earns a Hakia Score of 96.5. The page reports that 92% of UCF BSN graduates remain in Florida after completing their degree and that the program educates more newly licensed BSN nurses than any other university in the Florida state university system. These figures make UCF a strong option for students who want volume-tested preparation and plan to work in-state.

The program emphasizes clinical nursing practice, health promotion, and leadership preparation, with coursework tied to acute, community, and rehabilitative settings across the Orlando metropolitan area. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS data; Florida-based RNs specifically earned an annual mean wage of $69,510 according to the same source cited on the program page. Access is limited: students must be admitted to UCF before applying to the College of Nursing, and BSN admission deadlines vary by track.

The University of South Florida College of Nursing in Tampa structures its undergraduate nursing offerings around three pathways. The Freshman Nursing Pathway (FNR) is for first-time-in-college students admitted directly into a structured nursing track with defined progression criteria. The Accelerated Second Degree pathway compresses a BSN into four consecutive semesters (including summers) for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree; the program page describes it as highly competitive. The Upper Division pathway is the traditional route for students without a prior bachelor's degree, running five consecutive semesters. USF's accreditation details are maintained on a separate accreditations page, and the program page directs prospective students to the online Undergraduate Catalog for curriculum specifics by year.

USF posts a 77% graduation rate and an admit rate of 43%, making it the most accessible program in this Florida ranking by selectivity. In-state tuition is $4,559 per year; out-of-state tuition is $15,473, which is the lowest out-of-state figure among the four programs ranked here. The program earns a Hakia Score of 94.9. With 49,622 enrolled students, USF is a large research university, and the College of Nursing ties its curriculum to hands-on clinical experiences and dedicated faculty support. The lower out-of-state rate makes USF a particularly competitive option for Florida-bound students coming from other states.

Registered nurses nationally earn a median wage of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data. Prospective students should attend an information session early, as each pathway has its own admission criteria and the Accelerated Second Degree track is described as highly competitive. The program catalog year matters for degree requirements, so USF specifically advises applicants to verify requirements by their entry year.

The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies offers both a Traditional BSN and an Accelerated BSN at the undergraduate level. The traditional track is structured for freshmen who are guaranteed progression into the upper division as long as they complete prerequisite coursework and maintain the required GPA. Clinical placements are secured for all students through a network of over 200 partners, including a major academic medical center, a private acute care hospital, and a public teaching hospital system. The school also operates S.H.A.R.E., an on-campus simulation hospital used for both clinical training and active research.

UM's numbers reflect its selective, private positioning. With a 19% admit rate and a 84% graduation rate, the program draws committed students and moves them through at a strong clip. Tuition runs $60,720 per year flat for in-state and out-of-state students alike. That price point is the defining tradeoff: unmatched clinical infrastructure and research access in exchange for a private-university sticker price. The program earned a Hakia Score of 94.5, ranking it 5th among Florida BSN programs. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS.

This program fits students who want a research-integrated nursing education in a major metro healthcare system and can access financial aid or scholarships to offset private tuition. The guaranteed progression structure from freshman year removes the uncertainty of competitive upper-division re-application that exists at many programs.

The University of Florida Online offers a fully online RN-to-BSN program designed specifically for working registered nurses. It is not a prelicensure track. Applicants must hold an active, unencumbered Florida RN license or meet eligibility through the Nurse Licensure Compact. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Coursework is completed entirely online, with no on-campus requirement, making it viable for nurses balancing full-time jobs and family obligations.

The cost structure is the program's clearest differentiator. In-state tuition is $3,358 per year, compared to $15,000 for out-of-state students. The program carries a 61% admit rate and an 85% graduation rate, meaning most students who are accepted complete the degree. UF Online earned a Hakia Score of 92.2, ranking it 6th among Florida BSN programs. Because this is a completion program for credentialed nurses, salary context is national: BLS reports a $97,550 median annual wage for registered nurses.

UF Online fits Florida-licensed RNs with an ADN who want to advance to a BSN without leaving their current position. The accessibility is real: 100% online delivery, one of the lowest public in-state tuition rates in Florida, and admission offered each spring and fall semester. The prerequisite list is detailed, and all science prerequisites must be completed before applying.

Florida International University's Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a Traditional BSN as a full-time, upper-division program. Students enter after completing prerequisite science and nursing coursework from a regionally accredited institution. The program runs five semesters and covers 66 credits. Classes are held at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus in Miami, and students are admitted each fall and spring. FIU also operates an S.T.A.R. Center for advanced simulation training alongside its required clinical rotations. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN upon completion. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

At $4,721 in-state tuition and $16,529 out-of-state, FIU offers a clear cost advantage over private competitors. The program admits around 100 students per cycle through a competitive prerequisite-based review process, with a university-wide 55% admit rate. The graduation rate is 74%, which sits below the state's top programs and is worth weighing against the accessible tuition. FIU earned a Hakia Score of 92.1, placing it 7th in Florida. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year per BLS.

FIU suits transfer students in Miami-Dade who have completed science prerequisites and want an affordable, CCNE-accredited BSN with direct access to South Florida's large healthcare market. The twice-yearly intake and structured advising process, including mandatory information sessions, are designed to help applicants navigate the competitive prerequisite review.

The University of North Florida Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences offers a Prelicensure BSN track that admits students in spring, summer, and fall each year. Entry requires at least 60 completed semester hours and is also open to post-baccalaureate candidates seeking a second bachelor's degree. The program is CCNE-accredited and includes clinical training at UNF's MedNexus Simulation Center in Jacksonville, described by the school as an environment that bridges classroom learning and real-world healthcare. The curriculum is explicitly community-based: students are assigned to a designated community agency for the full length of the program rather than rotating through disconnected placements. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN. Accreditation is through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

UNF offers the lowest in-state tuition among the four programs here at $3,996 per year, with out-of-state tuition at $16,799. The university admits about 53% of applicants, and the graduation rate is 69%. That completion rate is the honest tradeoff for the program's accessible pricing and three-intake-per-year structure. UNF earned a Hakia Score of 90.7, ranking it 8th among Florida BSN programs. Nationally, registered nurses earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS.

UNF is a strong fit for North Florida students looking for an affordable prelicensure BSN with frequent admission windows and a community-integrated clinical model. The three-per-year intake reduces the wait that plagues many competitive nursing programs. For fall 2026 applicants and beyond, selection is ranked by prerequisite GPA first, then cumulative GPA.

The University of Tampa offers a single pre-licensure pathway: a traditional Four-Year BSN built for students who enter without prior nursing college credit. High school graduates and transfer students apply to the university first through standard undergraduate admissions, then formally apply to the nursing department once pre-nursing prerequisites are complete or nearly complete. The program requires 125 credit hours total, split between 59 general education credits and 66 nursing credits. Clinical training spans hospital and community settings, and the program includes optional international travel courses to destinations such as Ghana, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic for hands-on global health experience.

UTampa's program carries a Hakia Score of 87.7, placing it ninth among Florida BSN programs in this ranking. The 64% graduation rate is a real consideration, and the 40% admit rate signals that competition for seats is genuine. Because UT is a private nonprofit, tuition is a flat $32,096 regardless of residency. That price point is a significant tradeoff compared to Florida's public options, but the program's five-year NCLEX pass rate of 95% gives a concrete return-on-investment benchmark to weigh against it. This program fits a student who wants a tightly structured four-year track and is prepared to invest in a private university experience.

Registered nurses nationally earn a median wage of $97,550 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. For licensure details, see NCSBN's NCLEX page.

Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing offers a limited-access, pre-licensure BSN grounded in a holistic, caring-science philosophy. The program page lists multiple entry points: a traditional BSN for freshmen direct admits, an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) track, and an RN-to-BSN pathway, plus articulation options into an MS in Biomedical Engineering or an MS in AI. Pre-licensure students complete 840 hours of combined clinical and laboratory experience across diverse hospital and community settings. All programs in the college are endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation, making graduates eligible for AHNCC certification upon degree completion. The college is accredited by CCNE.

FAU holds a Hakia Score of 86.6, ranking tenth among Florida BSN programs here. The 63% graduation rate is comparable to UTampa's but arrives at a dramatically different price: $2,522 per year in-state versus $14,374 out-of-state. For a Florida resident, that cost advantage is hard to ignore. The 66% admit rate is more accessible than many programs in this ranking, but the college's own page flags the program as limited-access and highly competitive, so meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a seat. FAU is the stronger fit for Florida residents who want a research-oriented, philosophically distinctive program without the private-school tuition.

The BLS OEWS puts the national median wage for registered nurses at $97,550 annually. Enrollment data sourced from IPEDS.