2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Florida
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in nursing practice in Florida. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. Set against $19,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for nursing practice. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,397. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,895 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $105,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $135,203. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,750. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $116,277. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $88,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #8 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $19,546 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $127,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,546 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Barry University came in at #9 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Barry University generally make around $115,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Saint Thomas University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,770. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Saint Thomas University earn a median of $70,805 early in their careers. Set against $35,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Thomas University admits about 98% of applicants.
South University Tampa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Tampa, South University Tampa is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,895. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $41,815 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of South University Tampa earn a median of $97,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jacksonville University came in at #12 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,150 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $97,066. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Florida Southern College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,040 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $87,301. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,348. Nursing Practice graduates of Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earn a median of $83,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,348 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tampa came in at #15 for value in nursing practice this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,408. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $83,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Miami ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,750. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $116,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
