2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Florida
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 85 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Florida
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,681. Nursing graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $74,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $17,063 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $64,429. Set against $17,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. In-state tuition and fees average $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $65,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #5. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. 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.
University Of Florida earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,278. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,731. Set against $18,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $73,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Pensacola State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $11,346 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $71,140. That is a strong return on a $11,346 median debt.
North Florida Community College landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,263. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
Chipola College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $59,111. Set against $12,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,651. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Florida State College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. 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. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $70,241. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,155 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,032. Students borrow a median of $19,042 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $78,107. That is a strong return on a $19,042 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,837 in student loans. 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.
Florida Atlantic University placed #16 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $96,397 early in their careers. Set against $21,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. 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. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $79,623. Set against $21,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Nursing 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%.
Florida Gateway College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,387 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,339. Set against $10,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Sumter Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Leesburg, Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,292, with out-of-state students paying around $13,276. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lake Sumter Community College generally make around $59,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Students borrow a median of $24,214 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $62,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,214 median debt.
Palm Beach State College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,034. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $105,610. That is a strong return on a $22,452 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Edison State College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,422. Nursing graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $67,006 early in their careers. Set against $15,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Polk State College earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,081. That is a strong return on a $18,938 median debt.
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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
