Best Nursing Schools in Jacksonville FL in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

If you’re looking for a nursing program in FL, you’ve come to the right place. There are more nursing jobs than all other professions within the medical field, and nursing schools in Jacksonville, FL may be your ticket to get in on the action. Recently, organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing have advocated for higher degrees within the field. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or above, significant benefits are experienced by both patients and nurses. Nurses who obtain a BSN demonstrate superior technical knowledge, excellent critical thinking skills, and leadership qualities. Furthermore, many healthcare organizations offer incentives to nurses with degrees such as higher pay rates and promotional opportunities.

Job growth for the entire nursing industry over the next decade is estimated to increase by at least 15 percent, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This reflects a significantly higher than average increase when compared to all other industries. Benefits when choosing a career in nursing include scheduling flexibility, a benefits package including retirement plans and health insurance, job security, chances for upward mobility, low unemployment rates, and high job satisfaction.

Nursing Schools in Jacksonville FL

Nursing schools in Jacksonville FL are conveniently located nearby nationally ranked hospitals. One example of a top-tier medical facility in the area is the Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville. The hospital is nationally ranked in numerous specialties including cancer, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and pulmonary surgery. Additional nationally ranked medical centers in Jacksonville include the Baptist Medical Center, Flagler Hospital, and UF Health Jacksonville. Nurses who finish their schooling in the area often find permanent job placements within these facilities. Certified nursing assistant schools in Jacksonville, FL are some of the best. Nursing schools in Jacksonville, FL may also offer clinical hours at these hospitals toward degree requirements.

Jacksonville is the largest metro area by mass in the United States. Within the city are both beaches and downtown areas. Jacksonville has a very low employment rate with just 3 percent of residents without a job. Salaries for nursing jobs are competitive with the average BSN nurse in Florida making more than $75,000 annually. As an added benefit, the overall cost of living is lower in Jacksonville than the rest of the country.

The following are the top nursing schools in Jacksonville FL with on-campus and online courses for prospective nurses. Whether you’re looking for an RN to BSN program in Florida, a Florida BSN program, or another type of nursing program, you’ll be sure to find an option here.

List of the Top Nursing Schools in Jacksonville FL

1. Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville offers multiple degree options for nurses including an associate’s in nursing. The associate degree track will qualify graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. The college also offers a 120-credit BSN program for those who wish to earn a higher degree. A hybrid format is available for the BSN program with part of the courses available for online delivery. Florida State College has one of the highest post-graduation job placement rates in Jacksonville FL with 99 percent of BSN nurses finding employment within a year of conferment.

• Tuition: $2,878
• Admissions: Pre-requisite associate degree courses
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ASN, BSN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years for ASN, 4 years for BSN

2. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida has both a traditional BSN program and RN to BSN online program for Jacksonville students. The University of West Florida is one of the best RN nursing schools in Jacksonville, FL. The college’s nursing program is ranked 14^th out of all nursing degree options located in the state. The high rankings reflect the high numbers of graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN examination after finishing the nursing program. The University of West Florida’s tuition costs are very affordable and students appreciate the convenience of being able to continue working as a registered nurse while earning credits for a BSN.

• Tuition: $6,360
• Admissions: RN license for bridge program
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Degree Options: BSN, RN to BSN, MSN
• Minimum Program Length: 3-4 years for BSN and MSN

3. University of Florida-Jacksonville

The University of Florida delivers an accelerated BSN degree option to students who attend the Jacksonville campus. The public college has a low tuition cost for in-state residents. Along with the BSN option, students can earn graduate degrees for the DNP or a Ph.D. in Nursing. Doctor of Nursing Practice is designed for those who plan to work directly with patients while the Ph.D. program is intended for educators and researchers. The majority of nursing students from the University of Florida are able to earn their degrees within three years.

• Tuition: $6,381
• Admissions: Pre-requisite degree courses
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Degree Options: BSN, DNP, PhD
• Minimum Program Length: 3 years for BSN, 4-6 years for DNP and PhD

4. University of North Florida

The Brooks School of Nursing is home to all University of North Florida nursing students. The accredited nursing school was selected as one of the University of North Florida’s flagship programs in 2005. The university helps nurses achieve higher education through multiple degree pathways including pre-licensure BSN, RN to BSN bridge, accelerated BSN, and BSN to DNP. The graduate-level nursing programs allow for nurses to choose a specialty such as nurse anesthesiology, mental health nurse practitioner, and family nurse practitioner. The University of North Florida boasts a high first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for nursing degree graduates and low tuition rates.

• Tuition: $6,394
• Admissions: Pre-requisite associate degree courses, RN license for bridge programs
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• Degree Options: RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, BSN to DNP, DNP
• Minimum Program Length: 12 months for RN to BSN, 3 to 6 years for BSN, MSN, BSN to DNP, and DNP

5.  St. Johns River State College

The associate degree program at St. John’s River State College takes approximately five semesters for degree conferment. At the end of the program, nursing students are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensing examination. A four-year bridge program is available exclusively online through the college’s RN to BSN degree track. The associate degree program requires campus visits to one of the school’s two locations. St. Johns River State College has one of the lowest tuition rates for nursing schools in Jacksonville FL.

• Tuition: $2,830
• Admissions: RN license for bridge program
• Accreditation:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ASN, RN to BSN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years for ASN, 4 years for online RN to BSN

6. Chamberlain College of Nursing-Jacksonville

Chamberlain College of Nursing has a highlighted BSN program that can be completed without any prior licensing in just three years. The accredited program is available at any one of the 22 locations for Chamberlain College of Nursing found nationwide. The Jacksonville campus offers state-of-the-art lab access and highly trained faculty members. Programs can be started in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

• Tuition: $19,375
• Admissions: None
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Degree Options: BSN
• Minimum Program Length: 3 years

7. Keiser University-Jacksonville

The Jacksonville campus of Keiser University offers numerous types of nursing degrees for students. One of the key components of Keiser University is that the majority of programs have a fast track option. The fast track curriculum reduces the timeframe to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees by as much as one to two years. Keiser University includes BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate options. A portion of courses can be taken online to fulfill degree requirements. Keiser University is one of the best nursing schools in Jacksonville FL due to scheduling flexibility and high post-graduation job placement rates.

• Tuition: $20,208
• Admissions: Pre-requisite degree courses, RN license for bridge programs
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• Degree Options: ASN, RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, DNP, Post-Master’s Certificates
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years for ASN, 3 to 6 years for RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, and DNP

8. Fortis College

Fortis College is a technical school located within the Jacksonville area. The college has an ADN program designed to help working adults earn an associate’s degree in nursing and sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. If you’ve already graduated from practical nursing schools in Jacksonville, FL or from another place, Fortis might have the perfect program for you. Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses can enroll in a specific pathway designed to accelerate earning their RN licenses. Also, Fortis College has a partnership with Denver College of Nursing to assist students with moving on and earning a BSN or MSN degree after RN licensure. The hybrid program includes about 50 percent of courses taken online.

• Tuition: $15,254
• Admissions: Pre-requisite associate degree courses
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
• Degree Options: ADN, LVI to RN
• Minimum Program Length: 24 months

9. Jersey College-Jacksonville

Jersey College has created nursing programs keeping the concept of flexibility in mind. Students enrolled at the college can choose to customize how they plan to earn their nursing licenses. Options include LPN, RN, and LPN to RN bridge pathways. Jersey College has many working adults enrolled, so the university aims to offer convenient course schedule times such as evenings and weekends. Furthermore, nurses earn credits by being residents at the nearby Largo Medical Center with the option to find a position once they earn their RN licenses.

• Tuition: $22,000
• Admissions: None
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ASN, LPN, LPN to RN, RN
• Minimum Program Length: 1 year

10. Florida Career College

Florida Career College has an associate degree program for nurses residing in the Jacksonville area. The technical school allows students to earn the required courses to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. For vocational nurses, an accelerated pathway option is offered. The two-year program can be finished in 122 weeks with students learning about topics such as pharmacology, pediatrics, surgical nursing, and nursing leadership. The college has rolling admissions with courses beginning every 8 to 12 weeks.

• Tuition: $21,500
• Admissions: Pre-requisite associate degree courses
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
• Degree Options: ADN, LVI to RN
• Minimum Program Length: 24 months

11. Southeastern College-Jacksonville

As one of the highlighted nursing schools in Jacksonville FL, Southeastern College offers a convenient way to prepare nurses to enter the industry. The college has two types of admissions for nursing students: no prior licensing and an LPN license pathway. Clinical hours are required for program completion with all nursing credits earned at locations within 100 miles of Jacksonville. A total of 73.5 credits are required for graduation including credits earned from general education requirements. The associate degree program covers topics such as pharmacology, maternity nursing, and pediatrics.

• Tuition: $20,246
• Admissions: Pre-requisite associate degree courses, LPN license for bridge program
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ADN, LPN to RN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years

12. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University has three campuses located throughout Florida to make it easy for Jacksonville area students to attend nursing courses. The college is accredited to offer degrees in nursing that include a BSN, MSN, and DNP. Each degree option can be customized to fit in with the student’s preferred graduation timeframe. For instance, bachelor’s degree holders in a non-nursing discipline can earn a BSN in just four semesters. The employment outlook is good for graduates of Nova Southeastern University with almost 100 percent of all degree holders finding employment in the nursing field within 6 months of conferment.

• Tuition: $30,900
• Admissions: Pre-requisite undergraduate degree courses
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Degree Options: BSN, MSN, DNP
• Minimum Program Length: 1 year for accelerated BSN, 4 years for traditional BSN, 2 to 4 years for MSN and DNP

13. Jacksonville University

At the Keigwin School of Nursing, Jacksonville University students can earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The BSN program has a traditional 120-credit option for graduation as well as RN to BSN pathways. Credit requirements are reduced for the accelerated RN to BSN programs with many of the courses available online. Registered nurses can also enroll in the college’s RN to MSN degree track. Career placement assistance and a dedicated scholarship program makes Jacksonville University one of the best nursing schools in Jacksonville FL.

• Tuition: $36,670
• Admissions: Pre-requisite undergraduate degree courses, RN license for bridge programs
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Degree Options: RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, Post-Graduate Certificates
• Minimum Program Length: 10 months for RN to BSN, 4 to 6 years for BSN, RN to MSN, MSN, and DNP

Bonus Online Nursing Schools

Attending a brick-and-mortar school may not be a feasible option, especially for those who are already working as nurses. Below are three fabulous nursing schools that offer online nursing programs to students in Jacksonville, FL.

Misericordia University

Misericordia University is an online college option for Jacksonville nurses who would like to earn an advanced degree. The university has an MSN and DNP program for nurses who already have at least a BSN from accredited nursing schools in Jacksonville, FL or from another nursing school. Clinical workshops are held in the student’s location and during coursework, advanced simulations are made available. Enrolled students are able to graduate within two to three years of online study while still continuing to work as a registered nurse.

• Tuition: $30,740
• Admissions: BSN
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Degree Options: MSN, DNP
• Minimum Program Length: 2 to 4 years

Regis College

For nurses looking to earn a graduate degree in the field of nursing, they can consider Regis College’s online MSN. The college has a flexible admissions policy with online students from Jacksonville able to apply with only an associate’s degree previously earned. Specializations in the field of nursing are available including pediatrics, geriatrics, family health, mental health, and women’s health. No GRE is required for admission to Regis College’s MSN program. The program is self-paced and will take approximately two to four years for completion depending on transferred credits.

• Tuition: $41,100
• Admissions: ADN or above
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: Online MSN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years

Ranking Methodology

The nursing schools in Jacksonville FL were ranked on three key factors including current annual tuition costs, nursing degree options, and program graduation rates. Tuition costs made up of 50 percent of each school’s score while program availability and graduation rates were calculated equally for the other 50 percent. Tuition for nursing schools in Jacksonville FL are subject to change annually and listed amounts will not include any extra fees such as room and board or book costs. If any nursing schools in Jacksonville are not listed above or any colleges note an error, please contact our editorial team to make the necessary corrections.

Prospective and current nursing students are invited to visit RNtoBSNProgram.com to learn more about the best nursing schools around the globe. Reviews highlight multiple degree options that are made available online, on-campus, and through hybrid nursing programs.