Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida: Comparing Top Schools
If you’re ready to advance your nursing career, online nurse practitioner (NP) programs in Florida offer a convenient way to do so without disrupting your current responsibilities. Whether you want to specialize in acute care, women’s health, or another specialty, Florida is among the top states for aspiring NPs.
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Types of NP Programs in Florida
Florida colleges and universities offer a wide range of online and hybrid NP programs designed for working professionals. While much of the coursework may be completed online, most programs still require in-person clinical placements to ensure students gain hands-on experience in real healthcare settings. When researching programs in Florida, keep the following five options in mind:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN-NP) for RNs seeking initial NP preparation
- Post-master’s certificate programs for nurses who already hold an MSN
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs for advanced clinical leadership and practice
- Hybrid learning formats that combine online classes with supervised clinical training
- Specialization tracks such as family practice, pediatrics, or psychiatric care
Reviewing these pathways can help you determine which option best fits your experience, schedule, and professional goals as you work toward becoming a nurse practitioner in Florida.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN program is one of the simplest paths toward becoming a nurse practitioner. This path results in a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
There are three options within this path:
- A bridge program for current RNs who don’t have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
- A traditional program for students who earned a BSN.
- A direct-entry program for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
Most online MSN programs take approximately two years to complete.
University of Central Florida
- Duration: 31 to 36 credit hours
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $327.32 per credit hour (in-state)/$1,151.72 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Post-Master’s Certificate
Post-master’s NP certificate programs are designed for non-degree-seeking students who already earned an MSN and hold an active advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license in Florida. This type of program offers students an expedited opportunity to expand their skill set and broaden their expertise.
Most programs offer a specialized course of study in areas such as pediatrics, adult/gerontology, and psychiatric/mental health. Post-master’s programs result in a nurse practitioner certificate that complements prior degrees in the healthcare field.
Florida State University
- Duration: 24 credit hours
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $3,449 (in-state tuition)/$11,538 (out-of-state tuition)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
This type of NP program leads to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, the highest level of education in the field. Aspiring nurse practitioners possessing an MSN can enter a standard DNP program with little to no course prerequisites. Students without a master’s degree can opt for a BSN-to-DNP program.
DNP programs prepare students to succeed in advanced clinical roles and typically take 2 to 6 years to complete.
The University of Tampa
- Duration: Six semesters
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $6,037 (tuition per semester)
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FAQs About Online NP Programs in Florida
Can I become a nurse practitioner online in Florida?
Yes, many schools offer online NP programs. However, these programs usually require in-person clinical practice. In some cases, you might be able to incorporate clinicals into your current work schedule.
These programs deliver all didactic coursework entirely online, and many use evening and weekend sessions to accommodate diverse work schedules. Most students can complete all course requirements within several semesters before proceeding to clinical placements.
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Florida?
Some nurse practitioner programs last just over a year, while others take 3 or 4 years to complete.
If you already earned an advanced degree, you can complete a post-graduate certificate program fairly quickly. Programs for students with baseline credentials, such as a BSN, typically fall between 2 and 4 years. Students with limited nursing training can expect to take longer to complete a program; in many cases, the time frame will double.
How much do online nurse practitioner programs in Florida cost?
Becoming a nurse practitioner can cost anywhere from $30,000 to over $75,000, depending on the program. Most online NP programs in Florida offer affordable tuition, but costs can vary widely. Factors such as the type of school and program, enrollment status, and where you live can affect costs.
If you need help paying for school, consider online NP programs that offer financial aid, such as scholarships or grants.
What is the fastest way to become an NP?
The fastest way to become an NP is through an accelerated NP program. These programs offer options for becoming an NP in two years or less.
NP bridge programs can also speed up the process if you don’t already hold an advanced nursing degree. These programs enable you to apply your current education and experience toward earning a master’s degree or a doctorate degree.
What’s the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant?
The main difference between an NP and a physician assistant (PA) is education and certification. In some cases, NPs can practice independently, but PAs always work under a doctor’s supervision.
Both roles require at least a master’s degree. Training for NPs is nursing-based, while training for PAs is more medicine-based. Regarding the salary of a nurse practitioner vs. a physician assistant, PAs tend to make more.
Licensing and Certification for NPs in Florida
Before you can begin practicing as a nurse practitioner in Florida, you must meet specific state and national credentialing requirements. The Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) regulates APRN licensure and sets the standards for education, certification, and professional conduct. Understanding this process early can help you avoid delays and stay on track as you complete your graduate education.
In Florida, nurse practitioners are licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). To qualify, candidates must complete a master’s degree or post-graduate certificate program and earn national certification in their chosen specialty. After graduation, applicants must complete several administrative steps before receiving approval to practice.
Here’s an overview of the NP licensure process in Florida:
- Complete an approved graduate program leading to APRN eligibility
- Earn national certification in your specialty area (such as family, adult-gerontology, or psychiatric care)
- Submit an online application through the Florida Board of Nursing
- Provide proof of malpractice insurance and complete fingerprinting and background checks
- Receive licensure approval, typically within several business days once materials are reviewed
- Renew your license every two years by paying fees, maintaining certification, and completing continuing education
Staying current with renewal requirements is essential for continued employment. By following these steps and monitoring FBON updates, you can maintain your credentials and remain eligible to practice as a nurse practitioner throughout Florida.
Salary and Career Outlook for NPs in Florida
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $97,960 | $129,210 | $169,950 |
| Florida | $100,540 | $129,010 | $155,490 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $102,740 | $143,670 | $157,610 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $101,720 | $129,010 | $167,490 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $97,660 | $124,440 | $164,470 |
| Gainesville, FL | $99,430 | $116,210 | $143,120 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $96,130 | $112,700 | $155,270 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $103,170 | $129,530 | $155,460 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $100,020 | $123,140 | $150,270 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $106,080 | $135,450 | $156,610 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $104,020 | $122,720 | $154,330 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $101,080 | $130,780 | $162,650 |
| Ocala, FL | $57,810 | $113,170 | $155,500 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $102,240 | $128,210 | $155,230 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $72,370 | $115,140 | $160,630 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $89,450 | $116,700 | $155,890 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $86,080 | $124,760 | $159,620 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $100,350 | $132,230 | $152,960 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $95,710 | $125,060 | $162,450 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $100,610 | $120,740 | $157,770 |
| Sebring, FL | $91,400 | $110,840 | $149,510 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $93,670 | $118,560 | $154,050 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $98,310 | $128,430 | $154,910 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $101,000 | $122,780 | $239,200+ |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Florida | 18,910 | 29,980 | 11,070 | 58.50% | 2,190 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Ranking the Best Online NP Programs in Florida
When choosing the best online NP programs in Florida, many factors must be considered. If you currently work as an RN, you need a flexible program with classes that fit your schedule.
To help you find the right fit, we ranked some top schools based on accreditation, availability of academic counseling and career placement services, and the number of online components in NP programs.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 47% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Jacksonville University
- Jacksonville University’s Nurse Practitioner program features small class sizes to provide individual attention and dedicated academic advising throughout the program, enhancing personalized student support and learning.
- The program offers unique hands-on experiential learning through virtual reality labs, telepresence robots, and state-of-the-art simulation centers, preparing students for real-world clinical scenarios.
- A dedicated clinical placement team secures clinical placements exclusively within several local counties (Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau), ensuring convenient and relevant practicum experiences.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 47% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 68% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Florida Southern College
- The Nurse Practitioner program at Florida Southern College offers personalized faculty mentorship and active support throughout the program to help students prepare for national certification and career success.
- It features faculty who create a positive and enriching learning environment focused on individual student goals and professional development.
- The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring high educational standards and recognition in the nursing field.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 68% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 66% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 24/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Florida International University
- Florida International University’s Nurse Practitioner program offers the lowest tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students, making it a highly affordable option.
- The program provides dedicated support for clinical placements within a four-county area, ensuring students gain practical experience with established clinical partners.
- Students can pursue a dual-track option combining clinical Nurse Practitioner specialization with a Nurse Educator certificate, expanding career opportunities in both practice and teaching.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 66% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 24/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 60% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Nova Southeastern University
- Nova Southeastern University's Nurse Practitioner program offers personalized support from expert faculty who bring real-world clinical insights and case studies into learning.
- The program features high-tech simulation labs that provide immersive, realistic clinical experiences, enhancing practical skills in diverse patient populations.
- Students experience a flexible learning format with options for online and on-site courses, accommodating full-time work and personal commitments without compromising program rigor.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 60% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 58% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected The University of Tampa
- The University of Tampa’s Nurse Practitioner program offers extensive clinical exposure through formal affiliations with over 200 Tampa Bay area healthcare facilities, ensuring broad, real-world practical experience for students.
- Courses are taught by expert faculty, the majority of whom hold national certification as APRNs in various specialties, providing specialized knowledge and mentorship to students.
- The program is recognized among the best in the U.S., ranked by U.S. News and World Report for faculty resources, research activity, and student quality, enhancing graduates’ professional credibility.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 58% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 56% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 22/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected University of West Florida
- The Nurse Practitioner program at UWF offers a virtual summer immersion with an orientation and skills workshop that prepares students with essential primary care procedures before clinicals begin, supported by a complimentary kit of tools and supplies provided by the university.
- The program features 600 clinical practice hours completed locally with experienced nurse practitioner preceptors, ensuring practical, hands-on training in the student's community and flexibility for out-of-state students with licensure support.
- UWF provides multiple annual start dates and asynchronous online instruction combined with team-based learning and real-world projects, allowing students to begin and progress through the program with maximum flexibility while maintaining rigorous, evidence-based education standards.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 56% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 22/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 40% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Barry University
- Barry University's Nurse Practitioner program offers a hybrid delivery format combining on-campus and online sessions, enhancing flexibility for working professionals.
- Students receive a qualified list of clinical preceptors and support in securing clinical placement, promoting high clinical placement success.
- The program includes a sequential curriculum with a doctoral scholarly project component, emphasizing applied research skills and professional development.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 40% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 35% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 6/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected AdventHealth University
- AdventHealth University's Nurse Practitioner program offers an accelerated online format that allows completion in as little as 18 months, providing flexible scheduling with 24/7 access to course materials.
- Students benefit from comprehensive support including a dedicated Retention Specialist, 24/7 technical assistance, virtual office hours, and active faculty engagement to ensure success throughout the program.
- The program integrates practical clinical experiences with faculty-approved projects and preceptor mentorship, fostering strong applied skills and professional networking opportunities within diverse healthcare settings.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 35% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 6/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 83% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected University of Miami
- The University of Miami’s Nurse Practitioner program uniquely integrates certification test preparation throughout the curriculum in collaboration with Advanced Practice Education Associates (APEA), ensuring thorough readiness for certification exams.
- The program benefits from a strategic partnership with the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, offering clinical instruction by highly skilled faculty within a major international academic health center.
- Students gain hands-on clinical skills during an included two-day on-campus workshop covering procedures like pelvic exams, suturing, and incision and drainage, enhancing practical clinical competence.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 83% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 45% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 14/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
- Keiser University’s Nurse Practitioner program offers accelerated 8-week course sessions, allowing completion of the MSN-FNP degree in as little as 1.7 years full-time, with flexible up to five years to finish.
- The program includes two required on-campus residencies and offers local clinical placements totaling a minimum of 510 hours, providing hands-on experience integrated with online learning.
- Keiser’s “Students First” philosophy supports varied learning formats (on-campus and online) designed to increase educational access while preparing students for leadership and advanced clinical roles in family and women’s health nursing.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 45% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 14/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online Graduate Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for graduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of graduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-3 and #4-5 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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