Best Nursing Schools in Florida

Best Nursing Schools in Florida – Overview

Nursing is among the most sought-after professions today, consistently ranking as one of the top degree programs in the United States based on enrollment and graduation rates. This has resulted in offering several different options for aspiring nurses. To help you decide the best-suited nursing school in Florida, we have evaluated and ranked the top nursing schools in the state.

As the quality of nursing studies significantly impacts your profession, it is extremely important to pursue and acquire the correct degree and certification. In this list of the best nursing schools in Florida, we have selected schools from the top 15% of all nursing schools in the state.

7 Best Nursing Schools in Florida

Here is our list of the best nursing schools in Florida:

1 – University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida)

The University of Florida is the top choice for aspiring nurses and professionals. The university is a significantly large public university in Gainesville, Florida. The university ranks at no. 30 out of 436 National Universities in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, and no. 40 nationally for its BSN nursing program. The University of Florida offers a range of nursing degrees, including Bachelor’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Ph.D. programs in nursing.

Many nursing students graduated with a nursing degree at the University of Florida last year. Graduates from nursing programs, including those from the University of Florida, can expect varying salaries depending on their role, experience, and the healthcare setting, with registered nurses often earning a median annual wage significantly higher than the hourly rate suggested.

To learn more about the admission criteria and process, visit the University of Florida’s official website at https://nursing.ufl.edu/.

2 – University of Miami (Coral Gables, Florida)

The University of Miami is renowned for its comprehensive nursing programs and research opportunities. Its nursing school is incredibly popular and is the top choice for aspiring nursing students. It is a prominent private, non-profit university in the pleasant Coral Gables area.

The university has awarded more than 470 nursing degrees to aspiring professionals and students.

According to studies, students who graduate with a nursing degree from the University of Miami earn around US$ 26,280 more than the standard college graduate across all fields. Their nursing-specific median salary of approximately $75,036 is comparable to the national median for nursing bachelor’s graduates ($74,888).

To find more details, such as admission criteria, fees, and process, you can visit the official website of the University of Miami nursing school at https://www.sonhs.miami.edu/.

3 – Keiser University (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Keiser University’s nursing school is another excellent choice for aspiring nursing professionals to earn their nursing degrees. It is located in mid-sized Fort Lauderdale and is a private university that converted from for-profit to not-for-profit status in 2011, but with a fairly large student body. According to U.S. News & World Report, Keiser University ranks at no. 363 out of 436 National Universities in the 2026 edition (and ranked no. 288 in the 2025 edition).

Last year, the university’s nursing school helped more than 1,190 students to graduate with a nursing degree successfully. According to reports, students who earn their nursing bachelor’s degree from Keiser University’s School of Nursing earn around US$ 77,345 as annual median salary.

To find more details about the admission criteria, process, etc. you can visit Keiser University’s official website at https://www.keiseruniversity.edu/programs/nursing/.

4 – Florida International University (Miami, Florida)

The Florida International University at Miami is yet another popular choice by students and professionals to successfully earn a nursing degree. It has a significant presence in the state’s educational field and has a substantially large student population.

According to reports, students who acquire their nursing degree from Florida International University earn approximately US$ 15,360 more than the average nursing student.

You can find further details of admission, such as application criteria, fee structure and admission process, by visiting the Florida International University’s official website at https://cnhs.fiu.edu/academics/nursing/undergrad-nursing/.

5 – University of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida)

The University of Central Florida at Orlando is another excellent choice for earning a nursing degree. It is a popular public university and has a significantly large student population. According to U.S. News & World Report, the University ranks at no. 117 out of 436 National Universities evaluated nationwide in the 2026 edition.

Over 900 students successfully earned their nursing degrees from the University last year. The University of Central Florida’s nursing program aims to equip students with comprehensive skills and knowledge, positioning them competitively in the job market.

To learn more about admission criteria and other relevant information, visit the University of Central Florida’s official website at https://nursing.ucf.edu/.

6 – Rasmussen University (Ocala, Florida)

The Rasmussen University, situated in the small city of Ocala, ranks 6^th on our list of the best nursing schools in the state. The university is a private for-profit education institute with a moderate-sized student population. Rasmussen University offers career-focused nursing programs designed to meet the healthcare industry’s needs, with rankings for specific programs like nursing considering factors such as NCLEX pass rates and graduate employment rates.

Last year, over 1,440 students successfully earned their nursing degrees at Rasmussen University’s nursing school. According to reports, students who graduate with a nursing degree from this university are said to have an annual median salary of around US$ 62,290, though the current BLS median annual salary for registered nurses in Florida is approximately $83,200 (May 2024 data).

To learn more about the admission criteria and process for Rasmussen University’s nursing school, visit the official website at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/.

7 – University of South Florida (Main Campus – Tampa, Florida)

The University of South Florida is located in the popular city of Tampa and is a fairly popular destination for aspiring nursing students to earn their nursing degrees. It is a popular public university with a fairly large student population. The University of South Florida’s College of Nursing is recognized for its innovative programs and research. Its rankings reflect its commitment to preparing graduates for success in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Over 250 students successfully earned their BSN nursing degrees from this university in the past year. Including graduate-level nursing degrees, the total is higher, making it one of the state’s most respected nursing schools. According to reports, students who earn their nursing degree from this university earn more than the average college graduate with the same degree.

To find more information, such as admission criteria and process, visit the University of South Florida’s official website at https://health.usf.edu/nursing.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates Reference

For reader value, the most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates (2024) for the schools listed:

Florida statewide average: 84.9% (2024) — ranked 50th out of 50 states. Nurse.org
National average: 91.16% (2024). WUFT +2

Accreditation Reference

Conclusion

This is our list of the best nursing schools in Florida. These nursing schools and their parent universities are ranked according to various criteria, including the extent of course material, faculty, teaching quality, and the affordability of fees. You should visit the official website of the nursing schools you short-listed above to ensure that you get admission into the correct type of nursing program in line with your career ambitions.

See Also

Best Nursing Schools in the US

Best Nursing Schools in Illinois

Common Nursing School Interview Questions

Medical School Interview Questions

University of Chicago Medical School

Medical Insurance in Florida

Florida Board of Nursing