Orlando, Florida, is home to some of the top Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) colleges, welcoming nursing students from all across the globe. However, this abundance of high-quality options can make it difficult to select the program that best suits your career goals and personal needs.
Fortunately, this article will discuss the top seven ADN programs in Orlando, shedding light on their unique strengths and offerings so you can make a wise and well-informed decision!
1. Adventist University of Health Sciences
The first on the list is the Adventist University of Health Sciences. It's a small, private, non-profit institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,144. The college has a 90% acceptance rate, which makes it fairly easy to earn admission.
Students who wish to pursue a career path as an RN can register in the ASN program at the Adventist University of Health Sciences. This associate degree can be completed in as little as 20 months (i.e., less than two years), and students benefit from the expertise of skilled faculty members.
Program Highlights
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Program: ASN
- Career: Undergraduate
- Tuition: $555 per credit hour
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.00
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 24 credit hours (2 terms) and 36 credit hours (3 terms)
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83%
2. Ana G. Mendez University
The next ADN program on our list is Ana G. Mendez University. It's a non-profit institution that was opened in 2003 in Orlando. There are 7,904 students enrolled in the university, and all hail the 100% acceptance rate - every student can gain admission. Notably, applicants can apply to a variety of programs, including ADN.
The ADN program offered by Ana G. Mendez University prepares students for a successful career in nursing within two years. It aims to improve their critical thinking, clinical judgment, teamwork, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving skills. However, to earn admission to this program, students must have a high school diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.25.
Program Highlights
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Program: ADN
- Career: Undergraduate
- Tuition: $395 per credit hour
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.0
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 67 credit hours
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92%
3. ECPI University
ECPI University, founded in 1985, is a career-focused, independent private institution located in Orlando. The institution offers a variety of technology and healthcare degrees that cater to the unique needs of its diverse student body. Additionally, the ADN program at ECPI University is top-notch, educating students on the legal and ethical nursing frameworks.
The associate program is typically completed within 18 months and has 71 total credits. The best part is that students do not have to wait a whole year for admission, as there are multiple admission openings during the academic calendar.
Program Highlights
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Program: ADN
- Career: Undergraduate
- Tuition: $9,900 per semester
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 71 credit hours
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95%
4. Herzing University
Herzing University is another ADN institution on the list with 426 undergraduate enrollments. Despite the relatively small undergraduate student body, the acceptance rate is 94%, which means that students can study in their favorite programs without any significant hassle.
The ADN program offered at Herzing University takes approximately two years to complete and has an on-campus format. It provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in health assessment, medical-surgical nursing, and pharmacology. The minimum high school GPA requirement to get into the ADN program at Herzing University is 2.50 or higher, and the composite TEAS score must be 58.
Program Highlights
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Program: ADN
- Career: Undergraduate
- Tuition: $12,750
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.00
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 72 credit hours
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85%
5. Keiser University
Keiser University is a popular private institution founded in 1977. As of 2022, it had a total undergraduate enrollment of 16,960. To earn admission to the ADN program at Keiser University, students must have a high school diploma, a good TEAS score, and an academic background that aligns with the Nurse Practice Act.
The ADN program guides students about health assessment, nursing diagnoses, planning, and the right time to intervene. It also equips students with knowledge of health teaching and counseling for the ill or injured.
Program Highlights
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Program: ADN
- Career: Undergraduate
- Tuition: $440 per credit hour
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.0
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 72 credit hours
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.67%
6. South College
Founded in 1882, South College is a private college in Orlando that offers more than 1,000 educational programs. The college offers an ADN program for students who are eager to become RNs and work in healthcare.
South College helps students develop a robust academic and clinical foundation with top-notch classroom experience and hands-on clinical training. Major nursing courses require 20 hours of rigorous in-class time per week, preparing students to pass the NCLEX exam.
Program Highlights
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Program: ADN
- Career: Undergraduate
- Tuition: $195 per quarter
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.0
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 20 credit hours per week
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 99.4%
7. Valencia College
First established in 1967, Valencia College is a public college in Orlando. It is part of the Florida College System and utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Students can earn degrees and certificates in various fields, including registered nursing, business administration, and the liberal arts.
The highest degree offered at Valencia College is an associate degree, which makes it among the top ADN programs in Orlando, Florida. The ADN program offers a classroom curriculum combined with real-life clinical experience so that students can serve in a variety of nursing fields.
Program Highlights
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Program: ADN
- Career: Undergraduate
- Tuition: $103.06 per credit hour for residents (+$266 per credit of instruction fee)
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.00
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 12 to 19 credits
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90% and 100%
When selecting the best ADN programs in Orlando, Florida, you must consider the student-faculty ratio, educational environment, lab facilities, training opportunities, and NCLEX pass rate of the institution. This approach will ensure that you invest in a college that provides all of the necessary expertise and knowledge to excel in your nursing career.
