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Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Florida

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

St Petersburg College offers nursing students a remarkable deal with a net cost of negative $52, meaning financial aid exceeds attendance costs. This creates an unusual situation where students essentially get paid to pursue their nursing education. Florida's healthcare sector employs over 1.2 million workers, with nursing roles experiencing particularly strong demand as the state's aging population grows. The cost spread across Florida nursing programs ranges dramatically, from St Petersburg's financial aid surplus to programs costing over $8,000 annually. State colleges dominate the affordable options, with 14 of the 15 most budget-friendly programs operating as public institutions. Earnings potential varies significantly, with Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates earning $68,563 compared to Gulf Coast State College graduates at $50,270. The state's lack of income tax means nursing graduates keep more of their earnings compared to other states. Florida's Bright Futures scholarship program further reduces costs for academically strong students, making nursing education particularly accessible for residents who meet performance standards.
50
Programs
$-52 – $23,655
Net Price Range
$63,807
Avg. Program Earnings
49.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $832 $3,120 61.3%
3 $1,799 $3,054 63.5%
4 $2,254 $2,348 42.0%
5 $2,339 $2,370 44.8%
6 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
7 $2,915 $3,100 56.6%
8 $3,119 $3,227 42.0%
9 $4,443 $3,165 51.1%
10 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
11 $5,154 $3,155 42.9%
12 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
13 $5,554 $3,246 42.9%
14 $5,742 $3,292 44.7%
15 $5,808 $2,830 45.7%
16 $5,929 $2,838 44.7%
17 $5,939 $2,496 51.2%
18 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
19 $7,201 $3,106 41.2%
20 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
21 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
22 $8,249 $3,401 38.5%
23 $8,478 $2,026 36.9%
24 $9,027 $3,366 34.0%
25 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
26 $9,832 $3,050 41.2%
27 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
28 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
29 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
30 $10,399 $2,474 43.5%
31 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
32 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
33 $11,154 $2,563 52.1%
34 $12,310 $2,710 44.0%
35 $13,818 $3,279 40.8%
36 $14,892 $14,794 27.8% 85.0%
37 $15,028
38 $15,847 $5,785 51.9% 32.9%
39 $19,113 $15,117 51.0%
40 $19,758 $13,420 45.5% 94.3%
41 $20,077 $2,830 36.1%
42 $20,486 $13,420 93.8%
43 $20,494 $18,238 21.4%
44 $20,767 $12,720 61.3%
45 $21,433 $3,074 34.9%
46 $22,527 $18,920 50.6% 71.7%
47 $22,602 $15,580 22.4%
48 $22,978 $33,450 36.6% 59.6%
49 $23,629 $16,088 28.1%
50 $23,655 $28,222 55.5% 44.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College's nursing program financially unique?

St Petersburg College shows a net cost of negative $52, meaning financial aid packages exceed the total cost of attendance. This creates a situation where eligible students receive more aid than they need for tuition, fees, and living expenses. The program also produces graduates earning $65,512 annually with relatively manageable debt loads of $15,578.

How do graduation rates compare across Florida's affordable nursing programs?

Graduation rates span from 32.4% at Florida State College at Jacksonville to 77.7% at University of Florida-Online. Smaller colleges like North Florida College achieve 63.5% graduation rates, while Chipola College reaches 61.3%. These rates reflect the challenging nature of nursing programs and varying levels of student support services.

Is there a significant earnings difference between the most affordable programs?

Yes, earnings vary by over $18,000 between the cheapest programs. Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates earn $68,563 annually, while Gulf Coast State College graduates start at $50,270. Indian River State College produces graduates earning $66,461, showing that low program costs don't necessarily correlate with lower career earnings.

Does student debt vary significantly among these affordable programs?

Debt levels range from $7,250 at Indian River State College to $20,000 at Saint Johns River State College. Most programs keep debt manageable, with many students borrowing less than $16,000. The combination of low tuition costs and available financial aid helps Florida nursing students avoid the heavy debt burdens seen in other states.

Where do the most cost-effective nursing programs cluster geographically?

North and central Florida contain many of the most affordable options, including programs in Marianna, Madison, and Lake City. These smaller communities often have lower living costs that complement reasonable tuition rates. Coastal programs like Pensacola State and Gulf Coast State also offer strong value propositions with net costs under $2,500.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.