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Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

345 Colleges
$57,601 Avg Salary
$21,889 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing Associate Degree School for You

Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 77,470 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 345 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.

Check out the nursing associate degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Southeast Region .

Our 2023 rankings named Rasmussen University - Florida the most popular school in the Southeast Region for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

About 89% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 11% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Florida take out $32,326 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $175.

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#2

Miami Dade College

Miami, FL

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Miami Dade College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Miami, MDC is a public college with a very large student population.

About 79% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 21% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at MDC accumulate an average of around $19,338 in student debt.

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#3

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL

The in-demand associate degree programs at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Southeast Region . Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale.

About 85% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 15% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale accumulate an average of around $32,396 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $139, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#4

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, VA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend ECPI University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit school with a large student population.

Women make up 91% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at ECPI University accumulate an average of around $35,025 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $174.

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#5

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay

Saint Petersburg, FL

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the large city of Saint Petersburg, Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

About 88% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 12% are male.

Nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay take out an average of $35,636 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $111.

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#6

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, FL

St Petersburg College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. SPC is a very large public school located in the city of Clearwater.

Of the 446 students majoring in nursing at SPC, 19% are male and 81% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at SPC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $25,206.

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Florida State College at Jacksonville came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. FSCJ is a fairly large public school located in the city of Jacksonville.

Of the 445 students majoring in nursing at FSCJ, 18% are male and 82% are female.

On average, nursing graduates from FSCJ take out $21,396 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#8

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. BC is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale.

About 84% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 16% are male.

Nursing majors at BC take out an average of $17,192 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#9

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a public college with a very large student population.

Of the 278 students majoring in nursing at Valencia College, 11% are male and 89% are female.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Valencia College carry an average student debt load of $20,231.

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#10

Delgado Community College

New Orleans, LA

Delgado Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a public college with a large student population.

About 93% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 7% are male.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Delgado Community College carry an average student debt load of $33,854.

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With a ranking of #11, Florida SouthWestern State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the large suburb of Fort Myers, FSW is a public college with a large student population.

About 83% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 17% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at FSW take out while working on their Associate Degree is $16,895.

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Seminole State College of Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Seminole State is a large public school located in the city of Sanford.

Women make up 87% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Seminole State take out while working on their Associate Degree is $21,016.

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Galen College of Nursing - Louisville landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Louisville.

About 92% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 8% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - Louisville accumulate an average of around $35,636 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $111.

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#14

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL

Palm Beach State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Palm Beach State College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth.

Of the 237 students majoring in nursing at Palm Beach State College, 22% are male and 78% are female.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Palm Beach State College accumulate an average of around $17,552 in student debt.

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Hillsborough Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in the large city of Tampa, HCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 80% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 20% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from HCC take out $21,224 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#16

Pensacola State College

Pensacola, FL

With a ranking of #16, Pensacola State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the small city of Pensacola, Pensacola State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 82% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at Pensacola State take out an average of $14,432 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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Jefferson State Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Birmingham, Jeff State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 82% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Jeff State accumulate an average of around $18,621 in student debt.

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Wallace State Community College, Hanceville ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the town of Hanceville, Wallace State, Hanceville is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

About 88% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 12% are male.

Nursing majors at Wallace State, Hanceville take out an average of $17,546 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the rural area of Tanner, Calhoun Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

About 86% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 14% are male.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Calhoun Community College carry an average student debt load of $21,416.

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#20

Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL

Santa Fe College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 79% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 21% are male.

Nursing majors at Santa Fe College take out an average of $19,386 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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Bevill State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in the distant town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Women make up 90% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Bevill State Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $19,834.

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#22

Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Daytona State College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach.

About 85% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 15% are male.

Nursing majors at Daytona State College take out an average of $19,292 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#23

HCI College

West Palm Beach, FL

HCI College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. HCI College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Palm Beach.

About 95% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 5% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from HCI College take out $34,870 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#24

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Trident Technical College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Charleston.

About 88% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 12% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Trident Technical College accumulate an average of around $29,278 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #25, Coastal Alabama Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Coastal Alabama Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Bay Minette.

Women make up 91% of the nursing majors at the school.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Coastal Alabama Community College carry an average student debt load of $19,905.

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#26

Pasco-Hernando State College

New Port Richey, FL
#29

Universal Career School

Sweetwater, FL
#31

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN
#33

Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL
#34

Miami Regional University

Miami Springs, FL
#34

Gwinnett Institute

Orlando, FL
#36

Albany State University

Albany, GA
#37

Hinds Community College

Raymond, MS
#39

Meridian Community College

Meridian, MS
#39

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, SC
#44

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL
#45

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, SC
#46

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, WV
#46

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, VA

Additional Award Winners

This list shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 345 different Southeast nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Nursing students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
52 Wallace Community College, Dothan Dothan, AL
53 Reynolds Community College Richmond, VA
53 Gulf Coast State College Panama City, FL
53 Pitt Community College Winterville, NC
56 Eastern Florida State College Cocoa, FL
56 Dyersburg State Community College Dyersburg, TN
58 John Tyler Community College Chester, VA
58 Galen College of Nursing - ARH Hazard, KY
60 Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
60 Tallahassee Community College Tallahassee, FL
62 Marshall University Huntington, WV
63 Sullivan University Louisville, KY
63 Beckfield College - Florence Florence, KY
63 Holmes Community College Goodman, MS
66 Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown, VA
66 Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL
68 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY
68 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Alabama 7,364
Kentucky 6,395
Tennessee 6,004
Louisiana 3,502
Mississippi 2,838
Florida 21,209
Arkansas 2,882
North Carolina 7,425
West Virginia 1,771
Georgia 7,112
South Carolina 3,296
Virginia 6,775

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 266,651
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16,104
Nursing Administration 9,838
Nursing Practice 7,992
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 5,092
Nursing Science 4,600
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 2,287
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 2,021
Nurse Anesthetist 1,936
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 1,883
Critical Care Nursing 773
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 563
School Nursing 553
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 509
Clinical Nurse Leader 444
Clinical Nurse Specialist 419
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 331
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 181
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing 57
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing 53
Palliative Care Nursing 14
Forensic Nursing 14

Related Major Annual Graduates
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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