Last Updated: October 3, 2026
The Tampa–St. Petersburg area offers two primary Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathways: the highly selective public program at the University of South Florida College of Nursing and the flexible, multi-campus program at Keiser University.
USF offers a public accelerated nursing pathway; Keiser adds Tampa-area access through its statewide campus network. Compare the selected campus’s available cohorts, course timetable and clinical travel requirements.
The main decision for Tampa-area students comes down to cost and selectivity vs flexibility and accessibility.
Quick Comparison Table
| School | Est. Tuition | Duration | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
University of South Florida | $9,420.90 | 16 months | Public pathway; competitive admission |
Keiser University | $64,540 | 16 months | 13-campus network; confirm local cohort |
Compare Tampa ABSN Programs
University of South Florida ABSN Program
USF’s 16-month, 62-credit accelerated pathway currently lists Tampa summer entry and St. Petersburg fall entry. Estimated Florida-resident tuition is $9,420.90 before $3,759.68 in standard per-credit and four-term fees, plus nursing expenses. Final NursingCAS submission dates are January 15 for Tampa and June 1 for St. Petersburg; verified status and university admission have separate later cutoffs. Official 2026 records also document a Sarasota-Manatee cohort; check the current application for available campuses and terms.
At roughly $13,200 for Florida residents, it sits among the lowest-cost ABSN programs in the state—but with significantly higher selectivity.
- Best for students with strong academic profiles (avg admitted GPA ~3.6+).
- 62 nursing credits completed in a strict 4-semester sequence.
- Clinical training builds toward a 6-credit preceptorship capstone.
- Admissions are non-rolling with multiple deadlines per year.
USF evaluates applicants based on GPA and four short essays—no TEAS or HESI scores are required, which is unusual for ABSN programs.
Keiser University ABSN Program
Keiser offers a 16-month, 76-credit accelerated nursing sequence at 13 listed Florida campuses, including Tampa. Applicants need a prior non-nursing degree, a 3.0 GPA and an on-site SLE score of 23.
At approximately $56,000–$57,000 total cost, it is priced in the mid-to-upper range for private ABSN programs but removes many of the scheduling barriers found at public universities.
- Best for students who need flexible start dates and rolling admissions.
- One-course-at-a-time format (4-week blocks).
- Hybrid options available for some general education coursework.
- Clinical placements assigned through local campus networks.
This structure works well for students who prefer to focus on one subject at a time rather than managing multiple courses simultaneously.
Choosing Between USF and Keiser
- Choose USF if you want the lowest-cost ABSN option in Tampa and have a strong GPA to compete for admission.
- Choose Keiser to compare its Tampa location and one-class-at-a-time approach. Confirm cohort availability and required nursing attendance before arranging employment.
- Consider other Florida ABSN programs if you need additional backup options or different admissions timelines.
What If You Don’t Get Into USF?
USF is one of the most selective public ABSN programs in Florida, and many qualified applicants are not admitted each cycle.
Tampa-area students often:
- Contact Keiser’s Tampa admissions office for its next available accelerated cohort and completed-file cutoff.
- Expand to nearby ABSN programs in Orlando, Fort Myers, or Miami.
- Use additional application cycles to strengthen GPA or prerequisites.
Planning a backup list early is critical when applying to competitive programs like USF.
ABSN Program Availability in Tampa / St. Petersburg
The Tampa region offers more ABSN flexibility than many Florida cities due to USF’s multi-campus structure and Keiser’s statewide network.
Students can choose between:
- a highly selective, low-cost public university pathway
- a flexible, higher-cost private university pathway
This makes Tampa one of the more balanced ABSN markets in Florida, with both accessibility and prestige available depending on student priorities.
For more programs within a 3 hour drive, review our Orlando page or consider Nova Southeastern in Ft Myers.