2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Florida
Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Florida.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 235 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $90,433. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Florida
A rank of #2 makes University Of Miami one of the top schools for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 233 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Miami earn around $116,541 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Miami
Valencia College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. Valencia College awarded about 446 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $82,087 in their early career. Valencia College graduates carry a median of $19,954 in student loans.
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Broward College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Broward College awarded about 437 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,063 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,364.
See the full registered nursing program report for Broward College
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida International University awarded about 297 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Florida International University
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. About 585 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $105,610 early in their careers. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of North Florida placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 282 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $116,277 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
Get the full registered nursing details for University Of North Florida
Miami Dade College earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. Miami Dade College awarded about 883 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Miami Dade College earn around $77,383 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,220.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Miami Dade College
Florida State University placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 178 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $127,776 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $19,546 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Florida State University
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 394 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $96,397. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $21,070 in student loans.
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University Of Central Florida landed the #11 spot for registered nursing this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 804 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $88,414 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Central Florida
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sanford. Seminole State College Of Florida awarded about 301 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $79,623 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,233.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Seminole State College Of Florida
Polk State College earned the #13 position for registered nursing this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. About 202 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Polk State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $75,081. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Polk State College
Palm Beach State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Palm Beach State College awarded about 348 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $73,034. Typical student debt for the program is $15,833.
Get the full registered nursing details for Palm Beach State College
Daytona State College placed #15 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. About 325 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Daytona State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $72,086. Students borrow a median of $15,651 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Daytona State College
University Of Florida Online landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 65 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $73,711 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,934.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Florida Online
State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota landed the #17 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Bradenton, State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a large public institution. There were roughly 272 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,214 in their early career. State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota graduates carry a median of $22,291 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,096 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $89,513 in their early career. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale graduates carry a median of $35,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Indian River State College earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. About 223 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Indian River State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Indian River State College earn around $71,280 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,250.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Indian River State College
The University Of West Florida placed #20 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. The University Of West Florida awarded about 338 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from The University Of West Florida earn around $88,607 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of West Florida graduates carry a median of $21,740 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for The University Of West Florida
St Petersburg College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. About 396 registered nursing degrees were awarded at St Petersburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $74,004. Typical student debt for the program is $22,681.
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Hillsborough Community College placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 270 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $64,429 early in their careers. Hillsborough Community College graduates carry a median of $17,063 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Hillsborough Community College
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #23 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. About 413 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Florida State College At Jacksonville in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $69,731 early in their careers. Florida State College At Jacksonville graduates carry a median of $18,278 in student loans.
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Santa Fe College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public university. About 206 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Santa Fe College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $74,427 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,799.
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Galen Health Institutes Gainesville ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Gainesville, Galen Health Institutes Gainesville is a small private for-profit university. Galen Health Institutes Gainesville awarded about 54 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Galen Health Institutes Gainesville
Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also placed among the best for registered nursing this year:
Honorable Mentions
A few more registered nursing schools worth a look:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 97 schools evaluated.
- 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.
