For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.
We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the Florida Board of Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of Florida’s prelicensure BSN programs accordingly.
#1: University of Tampa
401 West Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33606
https://www.ut.edu
98.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#2: University of Central Florida
12201 Research Parkway, Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32826
https://www.ucf.edu
95.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 237 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#3: Florida Gulf Coast University
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, FL 33965
https://www.fgcu.edu
95.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 68 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#4: West Coast University - Miami
9250 NW 36th Street
Doral, FL 33178
https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu
95.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 87 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2016 through 2019
#5: University of Miami
5030 Brunson Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33124
https://www.miami.edu
95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 172 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#6: Jacksonville University
2800 University Boulevard North
Jacksonville, FL 32211
https://www.ju.edu
93.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 92 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#7: University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway, Building 37
Pensacola, FL 32514
https://www.uwf.edu
93.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 60 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#8: University of South Florida
12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33612
https://www.usf.edu
92.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 191 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#9: University of Florida
1225 Center Drive
Gainesville, FL 32610
https://www.ufl.edu
92.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 196 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#10: Florida State University
98 Varsity Way
Tallahassee, FL 32306
https://www.fsu.edu
92.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 113 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#11: University of North Florida
One UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
https://www.unf.edu
92.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 123 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#12: Pensacola Christian College
250 Brent Lane
Pensacola, FL 32503
https://www.pcci.edu
92.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 92 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#13: Palm Beach Atlantic University
901 South Flagler Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
https://www.pba.edu
92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#14: Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
https://www.fau.edu
91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 86 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#15: Utica College - Tampa Bay
9400 Fourth Street North, Suite 100
Saint Petersburg, FL 33702
https://acceleratednursing.utica.edu/florida
91.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 58 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2016 through 2019
#16: Keiser University - Sarasota
6151 Lake Osprey Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
https://www.keiseruniversity.edu
90.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Average of 32 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2017 through 2019
#17: Ave Maria University
5050 Ave Maria Boulevard
Ave Maria, FL 34142
https://www.avemaria.edu
90.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 7 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2017 through 2019
#18: Southeastern University
1000 Longfellow Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33801
https://www.seu.edu
90.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 23 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2017 through 2019
#19: Rasmussen University - Ocala
1227 SW 17th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
https://www.rasmussen.edu
89.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 49 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2019
#20: ECPI University - Orlando
660 Century Point, Suite 1050
Lake Mary, FL 32746
https://www.ecpi.edu
89.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 88 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#21: Florida International University
11200 SW Eighth Street
Miami, FL 33199
https://www.fiu.edu
89.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 185 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#22: Nova Southeastern University - Miami
8585 SW 124th Avenue
Miami, FL 33183
https://www.nova.edu
88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 126 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2019
#23: Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
https://www.nova.edu
87.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 177 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#24: Rasmussen University - Fort Myers
9160 Forum Corporate Parkway, Suite 100
Fort Myers, FL 33905
https://www.rasmussen.edu
87.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 33 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2019
#25: Rasmussen University - Tampa / Brandon
4042 Park Oaks Boulevard, Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33610
https://www.rasmussen.edu
87.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2019
#26: AdventHealth University
671 Winyah Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
https://www.ahu.edu
87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 102 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2019
#27: Nova Southeastern University - Fort Myers
3650 Colonial Court
Fort Myers, FL 33913
https://www.nova.edu
85.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 48 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2019
#28: South University, West Palm Beach
9801 Belvedere Road
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
https://www.southuniversity.edu
85.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 67 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#29: Western Governors University - Daytona Beach
301 Memorial Medical Parkway
Daytona Beach, FL 32117
https://www.wgu.edu
85.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 7 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2019
#30: Chamberlain University - Jacksonville
5200 Belfort Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
https://www.chamberlain.edu
85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 86 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2019
#31: Herzing University - Orlando
1865 State Road 436
Winter Park, FL 32792
https://www.herzing.edu
84.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2019
#32: Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
Lakeland, FL 33801
https://www.flsouthern.edu
84.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 33 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#33: Barry University
11300 NE Second Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161
https://www.barry.edu
82.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 131 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#34: South University, Tampa
4401 North Himes Avenue, Suite 175
Tampa, FL 33614
https://www.southuniversity.edu
80.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 73 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#35: Chamberlain University - Miramar
2300 SW 145th Avenue
Miramar, FL 33027
https://www.chamberlain.edu
78.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 128 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2019
#36: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
334 West Palmer Avenue, 103 Ware Rhaney Building
Tallahassee, FL 32307
https://www.famu.edu
76.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 80 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#37: Keiser University - Fort Lauderdale
1500 NW 49th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
https://www.keiseruniversity.edu
75.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 39 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2019
#38: Antigua College International
14505 Commerce Way, Suite 522
Miami Lakes, FL 33016
https://www.antigua.edu
74.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2019
#39: Miami Regional University
700 South Royal Poinciana Boulevard, Suite 100
Miami Springs, FL 33166
https://www.mru.edu
73.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 17 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2016 through 2019
#40: Florida National University - Hialeah
4425 West Jose Regueiro Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33012
https://www.fnu.edu
70.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2019
#41: Bethune-Cookman University
640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
https://www.cookman.edu
68.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 40 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2010 through 2019
#42: Florida National University - Miami
11865 SW 26th Street, Suite H3
Miami, FL 33175
https://www.fnu.edu
68.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2019
#43: St. Thomas University
16401 NW 37th Avenue
Miami Gardens, FL 33054
https://www.stu.edu
54.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 24 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2019
#44: Carleen Health Institute of South Florida - West Palm Beach
4645 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
http://www.carleenhealthinstitute.org
45.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 4 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2017 through 2019
#45: Ana G. Mendez University - South Florida
15201 NW 79th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33016
https://usa.uagm.edu
44.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 50 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2019
#46: Ana G. Mendez University - Tampa Bay
3655 West Waters Avenue
Tampa, FL 33614
https://usa.uagm.edu
43.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2016 through 2019
#47: Ana G. Mendez University - Metro Orlando
5601 South Semoran Boulevard, Suite 55
Orlando, FL 32822
https://usa.uagm.edu
32.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 23 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2019
#48: CENSA International College
4481 NW 167th Street
Miami Gardens, FL 33055
http://www.censacollege.com
14.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2019
#49: Carleen Health Institute of South Florida - Plantation
8320 West Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 204
Plantation, FL 33322
http://www.carleenhealthinstitute.org
12.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 4 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2019