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Best Nursing Schools in Miami: Rankings, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 15, 2026

Compare 23 Miami nursing programs from $2,838 at Miami Dade College to $59,926 at University of Miami. FIU graduates earn $162,730 at just $6,565 tuition.

Why Study Nursing in Miami?

Miami is a major healthcare market driven by its large and diverse population, medical tourism industry, and growing elderly care needs. Jackson Health System (home to Jackson Memorial Hospital — one of the largest teaching hospitals in the US), Baptist Health South Florida, Memorial Healthcare System, and Cleveland Clinic Florida all drive strong nursing demand.

The metro has 23 nursing programs, and the value proposition at Florida public universities is hard to beat — FIU's Master's nursing graduates earn $162,730/year at just $6,565 in-state tuition.

Top University Programs

Florida International University (FIU)

FIU's Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences is the standout. Master's nursing graduates earn $162,730/year at just $6,565 in-state tuition — arguably the best value nursing program in the country. BSN NCLEX pass rates were 93.49% in 2023 and 92.66% in 2024. FIU's 38,761-student campus and diverse student body reflect Miami's multicultural character. The college created the first program designed to help foreign-educated nurses become licensed in the US.

University of Miami (Coral Gables)

UM's School of Nursing and Health Studies is ranked #2 in Florida by Niche. Doctoral nursing graduates earn $183,575/year — highest in the Miami area. Tuition is $59,926 with a 19% acceptance rate. Programs include BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, and DNP. Clinical rotations at UHealth/Jackson Memorial provide Tier 1 trauma and research exposure.

Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton)

Graduate Certificate nursing graduates earn $111,689/year at $4,879 in-state tuition with a 73% acceptance rate. FAU serves the Palm Beach County and northern Broward area.

Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale)

Doctoral nursing graduates earn $116,799/year at $37,080 tuition. NSU's 73% acceptance rate and Fort Lauderdale location make it a strong Broward County option.

Barry University (Miami)

Doctoral nursing at $33,450 with graduates earning $102,561. The 59% acceptance rate and Jesuit tradition emphasize community health.

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Doctoral nursing graduates earn $96,790 at $37,990. Serves the West Palm Beach area.

Affordable BSN & ADN Programs

Miami Dade College — $2,838/year, 35,001 students

MDC is the largest institution in Miami and offers both ADN and BSN programs. BSN graduates earn $90,158/year. The Future Ready Miami-Dade Scholarship ensures all Miami-Dade County residents can complete an associate degree at zero cost. MDC's eight campuses span the county.

Broward College (Fort Lauderdale) — $2,830/year, 23,799 students

Similar pricing to MDC with BSN graduates earning $82,157/year. Serves Broward County with multiple campuses.

Keiser University (Fort Lauderdale) — $24,136/year

A major private option with a 97% acceptance rate and Master's nursing graduates earning $79,414. Keiser offers accelerated and flexible scheduling popular with working adults.

Florida National University (Hialeah) — $16,088/year

Master's nursing graduates earn $92,816. Serves the large Hispanic community in Hialeah and surrounding areas.

Miami Nursing Salaries

New graduate RN: $62,000-72,000/year
Experienced RN (3-5 years): $75,000-90,000/year
Specialized RN: $85,000-110,000/year
Nurse Practitioner: $100,000-135,000/year

Major employers: Jackson Health System, Baptist Health South Florida, Memorial Healthcare System, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center (Miami Beach), Holy Cross Health.

Clinical Sites

Jackson Memorial Hospital — one of the largest teaching hospitals in the US, Level I trauma
Baptist Hospital of Miami — top-ranked by U.S. News
Memorial Regional Hospital — Broward's largest, Level I trauma
Cleveland Clinic Florida — Weston campus
Nicklaus Children's Hospital — leading pediatric facility
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (UM) — NCI-designated

Financial Aid

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship — lottery-funded, covers tuition based on high school GPA/test scores
Future Ready Miami-Dade Scholarship — free associate degree at MDC for county residents
Florida Student Assistance Grant — need-based for state schools
Federal Pell Grant — covers MDC and Broward College tuition entirely

The Smart Path

Complete ADN/BSN at Miami Dade College ($2,838/year — free with Future Ready scholarship)
Pass NCLEX, start working at Jackson or Baptist earning $65,000+
Bridge to MSN at FIU ($6,565/year, graduates earn $162,730)
Total cost: under $20,000 for a path to $160K+ earnings

Next Steps

Compare Miami nursing programs on GradeToGrad.