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. Ocala, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 2,014 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Florida, expect to pay an average of $13,842 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - Florida 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 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Polk State College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Winter Haven, Florida, and it awarded 1,605 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,366 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Polk State. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,271. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,473 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Polk State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Miami Dade College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. MDC is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,398 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend MDC full time pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,661. Associate Degree recipients from MDC accumulate an average of $13,654 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
MDC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Valencia College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Florida. Located in Orlando, Florida, the large public school awarded 8,600 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,474 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Valencia College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,383. On average, associate degree students take out $14,788 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Valencia College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Fe College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Santa Fe College is a fairly large public school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 2,487 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
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 $14,615 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Santa Fe College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Florida SouthWestern State 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 #6 on the list. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 2,240 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,150 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at FSW. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Florida College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Madison, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 223 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NFC is $2,994. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,460.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NFC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Broward College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. BC is a large public school situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It awarded 6,046 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,830 in tuition and fees if they attend BC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,952. Associate Degree recipients from BC accumulate an average of $9,156 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 BC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Bradenton, Florida, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,631 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota is $3,074. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,595. On average, associate degree students take out $11,602 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. Palm Beach State College is located in Lake Worth, Florida and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,046 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Florida who attend Palm Beach State College full time pay an average of $3,050 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,910. On average, associate degree students take out $10,892 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Palm Beach State College 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 fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. SPC is a large public school situated in St. Petersburg, Florida. It awarded 3,899 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,682 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SPC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,286. On average, associate degree students take out $19,937 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SPC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
Florida State College at Jacksonville ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. FSCJ is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FSCJ. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,631. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,098 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that FSCJ does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Florida Gateway College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. FGC is a public institution located in Lake City, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 469 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,100 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FGC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,747. Associate Degree recipients from FGC accumulate an average of $8,865 in student debt by the time they complete 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. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 3,920 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend HCC full time pay an average of $2,506 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,111. Associate Degree recipients from HCC accumulate an average of $16,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at HCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It awarded 3,134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, expect to pay an average of $23,248 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $22,865 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Chipola College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Marianna, Florida, and it awarded 289 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,120 in tuition and fees if they attend Chipola full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,950.
Chipola 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 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #17, Seminole State College of Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Sanford, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 2,593 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend Seminole State full time pay an average of $3,131 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,456. On average, associate degree students take out $15,581 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Seminole State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of Central Florida ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. College of Central Florida is a medium-sized public school located in Ocala, Florida that handed out 1,016 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,710 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CF. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,517. On average, associate degree students take out $16,656 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CF does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Daytona State College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Daytona State College is a public institution located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,973 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,106 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Daytona State College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,994. On average, associate degree students take out $13,278 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Daytona State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. This small public school is located in Panama City, Florida, and it awarded 616 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend GCSC full time pay an average of $2,370 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,635. On average, associate degree students take out $10,951 in loans while pursuing their degree.
GCSC 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Pasco-Hernando State College is a medium-sized public school located in New Port Richey, Florida that handed out 1,392 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,155 in tuition and fees if they attend PHSC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,032. On average, associate degree students take out $12,216 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PHSC. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Pensacola State College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Pensacola State is located in Pensacola, Florida and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,490 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pensacola State is $2,365. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,475. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,218 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pensacola State. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Indian River State College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. Indian River State College is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Pierce, Florida. It awarded 2,279 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,764 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Indian River State College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,201. Associate Degree recipients from Indian River State College accumulate an average of $8,917 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Indian River State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Saint Johns River State 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 #24 on the list. Saint Johns River State College is a medium-sized public school located in Palatka, Florida that handed out 941 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at St. Johns River Community College is $2,830. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,347. Associate Degree recipients from St. Johns River Community College accumulate an average of $16,519 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at St. Johns River Community College. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #25, Tallahassee Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,516 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend Tallahassee Community College full time pay an average of $2,026 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,062. Associate Degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College accumulate an average of $16,185 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Tallahassee Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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.
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