2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida
With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
The Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 34 schools in Florida to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Rasmussen University - Florida to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Florida.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,635 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Florida. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $27,566 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Florida. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Out of the 34 schools in Florida that were part of this year’s ranking, Polk State College landed the # 2 spot on the list.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,366 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Polk State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,271. On average, associate degree students take out $15,235 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Polk State does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Miami Dade College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MDC is $2,838. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,661. On average, associate degree students take out $15,819 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MDC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Valencia College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Valencia College is $2,474. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,383. On average, associate degree students take out $17,714 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Valencia College. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Fe College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list.
In-state students pay an average of $2,563 in tuition and fees if they attend Santa Fe College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,189. Associate Degree recipients from Santa Fe College accumulate an average of $19,132 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Santa Fe College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #6, Florida SouthWestern State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $3,401 in tuition and fees if they attend FSW full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,979. On average, associate degree students take out $16,085 in loans while pursuing their degree.
FSW does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
North Florida College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list.
Students from Florida who attend NFC full time pay an average of $2,994 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,460. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,980 in student loans.
Online courses are available at NFC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Broward College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking.
Students from Florida who attend BC full time pay an average of $2,830 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,952. Associate Degree recipients from BC accumulate an average of $13,682 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BC. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list.
In-state students pay an average of $3,074 in tuition and fees if they attend State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,595. Associate Degree recipients from State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota accumulate an average of $15,884 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota
With a ranking of #10, Palm Beach State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $3,050 in tuition and fees if they attend Palm Beach State College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,910. On average, associate degree students take out $14,428 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Palm Beach State College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #11, St Petersburg College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $2,682 in tuition and fees if they attend SPC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,286. Associate Degree recipients from SPC accumulate an average of $22,838 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SPC. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Florida State College at Jacksonville ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list.
Students from Florida who attend FSCJ full time pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,631. Associate Degree recipients from FSCJ accumulate an average of $18,510 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since FSCJ does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Florida Gateway College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,100 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FGC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,747. On average, associate degree students take out $11,448 in loans while pursuing their degree.
FGC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $2,506 in tuition and fees if they attend HCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,111. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,707 in student loans.
HCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
If you want to attend Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, expect to pay an average of $22,000 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,011 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #16, Chipola College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,120 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chipola. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,950. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,129 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Chipola. During the 2019-2020 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Seminole State College of Florida came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $3,131 in tuition and fees if they attend Seminole State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,456. On average, associate degree students take out $18,707 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Seminole State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
College of Central Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list.
Students from Florida who attend CF full time pay an average of $2,710 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,517. Associate Degree recipients from CF accumulate an average of $17,883 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
CF does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Daytona State College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Daytona State College is $3,106. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,994. On average, associate degree students take out $15,832 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Daytona State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,370 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend GCSC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,635. Associate Degree recipients from GCSC accumulate an average of $13,380 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at GCSC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #21, Pasco-Hernando State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,155 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend PHSC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,032. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,342 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PHSC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #22, Pensacola State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,367 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pensacola State. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,482. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,198 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Pensacola State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, Indian River State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,764 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Indian River State College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,201. Associate Degree recipients from Indian River State College accumulate an average of $12,642 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Indian River State College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
Saint Johns River State College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from Florida who attend St. Johns River Community College full time pay an average of $2,830 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,347. Associate Degree recipients from St. Johns River Community College accumulate an average of $18,613 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that St. Johns River Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tallahassee Community College is $2,026. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,062. Associate Degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College accumulate an average of $19,922 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Tallahassee Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.