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

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

February 14, 2026

Tampa nursing programs posted a 92.5% NCLEX pass rate in 2024. USF and University of Tampa lead with 96-97% pass rates. Hillsborough CC offers ADN at $2,506/year.

Why Study Nursing in Tampa?

Tampa Bay is Florida's largest healthcare market west of Orlando, anchored by BayCare Health System (16 hospitals, 33,000 employees, $10 billion annual economic impact), AdventHealth Tampa (nearly 600 beds), Tampa General Hospital (consistently ranked among Florida's best), and HCA West Florida's 18-hospital network. This concentration of healthcare employers creates strong demand for nurses at every level.

Registered nurses in Tampa earn between $75,000 and $95,000 annually, with a median around $83,036. BSN-prepared nurses earn roughly $12,970 more than ADN holders, making the investment in a bachelor's degree particularly worthwhile in this market.

Tampa's nursing programs posted an impressive 92.5% overall NCLEX success rate in 2024, with 910 of 984 first-time candidates passing. The city's six BSN programs outperform the statewide average by approximately 5.5 percentage points.

University BSN Programs

University of South Florida (Tampa)

USF's College of Nursing is the metro's flagship nursing program, with a 96.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate. BSN graduates earn $64,378/year in early career, while DNP graduates reach $120,368. In-state tuition is $6,410/year ($17,324 out-of-state), making it one of the best values in Florida nursing education. USF offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs with clinical rotations at Tampa General, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, and Moffitt Cancer Center.

The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa has achieved a 97.4% NCLEX pass rate, with a 100% first-time pass rate in seven of the past eight years — making it one of the highest-performing nursing programs in Florida. BSN graduates earn $62,743, and MSN graduates reach $94,011. Tuition is $33,424/year. The small cohort size ensures strong faculty mentorship and abundant clinical placement opportunities.

Florida Southern College (Lakeland)

Florida Southern's nursing program produces BSN graduates earning $62,799, with MSN graduates at $102,635. Tuition is $42,360/year. The Lakeland campus provides clinical access to Lakeland Regional Health and Watson Clinic, the largest physician-owned multispecialty clinic in the Southeast.

Southeastern University (Lakeland)

Southeastern offers a BSN program with graduates earning $70,612 at $31,732/year tuition. The faith-based university emphasizes service-oriented nursing practice.

State College and Community College Programs

Hillsborough Community College (Tampa)

HCC is the most affordable nursing pathway in Tampa. At just $2,506/year in-state tuition ($9,111 out-of-state), ADN graduates earn $61,776. The program maintains an 86% NCLEX pass rate and serves as the primary feeder for BSN completion programs at USF and other area universities. HCC's four-campus footprint across Hillsborough County makes it accessible from anywhere in the metro.

State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota (Bradenton)

SCF offers both ADN and BSN programs at $3,074/year in-state ($11,595 out-of-state). ADN graduates earn $68,886 — the highest among area community college nursing programs — while BSN graduates earn $63,498. The college's location in Bradenton provides clinical access to Manatee Memorial Hospital and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Pasco-Hernando State College (New Port Richey)

PHSC offers ADN and BSN programs at $3,155/year in-state ($12,032 out-of-state). The BSN program produces graduates earning an impressive $89,145, while ADN graduates earn $58,710. PHSC's north-Tampa location provides clinical placements at BayCare and AdventHealth facilities throughout Pasco and Hernando counties.

Specialized Nursing Schools

Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay (Saint Petersburg)

Galen is a nursing-focused institution offering both ADN ($62,412 earnings) and BSN ($72,065 earnings) programs at $16,400/year. The school's singular focus on nursing education means purpose-built simulation labs and a curriculum entirely devoted to nursing preparation.

Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa

Arizona College of Nursing cleared a 93% NCLEX pass rate in 2024. BSN graduates earn $85,169 at $23,093/year tuition — the highest BSN earnings among Tampa's private nursing schools.

Herzing University-Tampa

Herzing offers a BSN program with graduates earning $64,473 at $13,420/year tuition, representing solid value among private institutions.

Comparison Table

School	Type	Tuition (In-State)	NCLEX Rate	BSN/ADN Earnings
Univ. of Tampa	Private	$33,424	97.4%	$62,743 (BSN)
USF	Public	$6,410	96.6%	$64,378 (BSN)
Arizona College	Private	$23,093	93%+	$85,169 (BSN)
Hillsborough CC	Public	$2,506	86%	$61,776 (ADN)
SCF-Manatee	Public	$3,074	—	$68,886 (ADN)
Pasco-Hernando	Public	$3,155	—	$89,145 (BSN)
Galen College	Private	$16,400	—	$72,065 (BSN)
FL Southern	Private	$42,360	—	$62,799 (BSN)

ADN-to-BSN Pathways

Florida's 2+2 articulation system makes the ADN-to-BSN pathway particularly seamless. Students who earn an ADN at Hillsborough CC, SCF, or Pasco-Hernando can transfer to USF, Florida Southern, or other state universities with all 60 credits accepted. Many nurses work while completing their BSN online — USF's RN-to-BSN program is among the most popular in the state.

Financial Aid

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

Florida's signature merit scholarship covers 75-100% of tuition at public institutions:

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) — 100% tuition and fees
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) — 75% tuition and fees

At Hillsborough CC's $2,506/year tuition, even the Medallion level covers almost all costs.

Federal Aid

Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year (covers full tuition at all public nursing programs in the metro)
Federal Nursing Student Loans — additional borrowing for nursing students
NURSE Corps Scholarship — full tuition plus monthly stipend for service commitment

Employer Tuition Programs

BayCare, AdventHealth, and Tampa General all offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees pursuing nursing degrees, typically $3,000-$5,250 annually. Many Tampa nurses begin as patient care technicians while completing their ADN, then transition to RN roles with employer support for BSN completion.

Next Steps

Compare Tampa-area nursing programs on GradeToGrad. Filter by tuition, degree level, and earnings to find the program that fits your goals and budget.