2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Florida
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,681 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $74,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $21,233 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,278. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Pensacola State College, which ranked #4. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $11,346 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,140. Set against $11,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,711. Set against $19,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,934. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $90,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
South Florida State College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $65,691 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Florida Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $7,902. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $67,263. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
Miami Dade College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,220. Nursing graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $77,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,063. Nursing graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $64,429 early in their careers. Set against $17,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $71,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,387. Nursing graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $69,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,837. Nursing graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $68,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,837 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,042 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Pasco Hernando Community College earn a median of $78,107 early in their careers. Set against $19,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Students borrow a median of $12,944 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $59,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,944 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,070. Early-career nursing graduates make about $96,397. That is a strong return on a $21,070 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Daytona State College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,651 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Sumter Community College placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Leesburg. Students from in state pay about $3,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,276 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lake Sumter Community College earn a median of $59,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Set against $18,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,241. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
The University Of West Florida ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,740. Nursing graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $88,607 early in their careers. Set against $21,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,214. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,725. Set against $24,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Polk State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,694, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,938. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,081. Set against $18,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,452. Nursing graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $105,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Saint Johns River State College came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,421. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
View All Nursing Rankings >
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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.
