Best Nursing Schools in Ohio

Updated on January 12, 2024

At a Glance

  • Ohio has over 75 nursing schools offering various nursing programs
  • Top-rated nursing schools in Ohio based on factors like acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition costs, and career outcomes
  • Highlighted nursing schools include Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, Xavier University, and Ohio State University

Ohio has over 75 nursing schools that offer various nursing programs at all degree levels. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming finding the right nursing program. This guide highlights and compares 10 of the top-rated nursing schools across Ohio based on factors like acceptance rates, average SAT scores, tuition costs, career outcomes, and more.

Case Western Reserve University

Location: Cleveland, OH

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 29%

Avg SAT Score: 1420

Tuition: $52,500 per year

Avg Salary After Graduation: $67,000

Website: case.edu/nursing

Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing is nationally ranked among the top nursing schools. Its BSN program enables students to complete clinical rotations at Cleveland Clinic, one of the best hospitals in the country. The school also offers MSN, DNP, and PhD options.

Kent State University

Location: Kent, OH

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 72%

Avg SAT Score: 1050

Tuition: $11,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary After Graduation: $60,500

Website: kent.edu/nursing

Kent State’s College of Nursing offers renowned BSN and MSN programs. Students benefit from the latest simulation technology and develop strong clinical skills through rotations across Northeast Ohio. As a public university, Kent State offers very affordable in-state tuition rates.

Xavier University

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 71%

Avg SAT Score: 1210

Tuition: $37,000 per year

Avg Salary After Graduation: $65,000

Website: xavier.edu/nursing

Xavier’s School of Nursing is a top Catholic university for nursing education. Along with exceptional BSN and MSN options, Xavier offers Direct Entry MSN programs for non-nursing graduates. Students complete clinicals through high-quality hospital partnerships in the Cincinnati area.

Ohio State University

Location: Columbus, OH

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Avg SAT Score: 1290

Tuition: $11,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary After Graduation: $63,500

Website: nursing.osu.edu

The Ohio State University College of Nursing is nationally top-ranked for its BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Students benefit from innovative simulation labs and develop clinical experience through OSU Medical Center rotations. Ohio residents can study at this public university for just $11,000 per year.

Mount Saint Joseph University

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 73%

Avg SAT Score: 1030

Tuition: $32,000 per year

Avg Salary After Graduation: $58,000

Website: msj.edu/nursing

Mount Saint Joseph’s Nursing department emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care across its BSN and MSN options. Small class sizes allow for close faculty support. Students complete 120+ hours of clinical experience at top Cincinnati hospitals and clinics before graduating.

University of Toledo

Location: Toledo, OH

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 77%

Avg SAT Score: 1080

Tuition: $9,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary After Graduation: $59,000

Website: utoledo.edu/nursing

The University of Toledo College of Nursing offers renowned BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs at affordable in-state rates. Clinical partnerships with top Toledo hospitals provide exceptional hands-on experience. Graduates consistently score above state and national averages on the NCLEX nursing exam.

Wright State University

Location: Dayton, OH

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 81%

Avg SAT Score: 1060

Tuition: $9,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary After Graduation: $55,000

Website: nursing.wright.edu

Wright State’s BSN program enables students to complete coursework fully online or through hybrid delivery. Their curriculum emphasizes community health, research, and leadership development. Clinical partnerships focus on the underserved Dayton region. In-state tuition remains below $10,000 per year.

University of Akron

Location: Akron, OH

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 67%

Avg SAT Score: 1080

Tuition: $9,000 per year (in-state)

Avg Salary After Graduation: $57,500

Website: uakron.edu/nursing

The University of Akron College of Nursing is renowned regionally for its high NCLEX exam pass rate above 90%. Their BSN and MSN options blend online course delivery with in-person simulation and clinical experiences. As a public university, Akron maintains excellent value at just $9,000 per year for in-state students.

Baldwin Wallace University

Location: Berea, OH

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Avg SAT Score: 1120

Tuition: $35,000 per year

Avg Salary After Graduation: $63,000

Website: bw.edu/nursing

Baldwin Wallace offers personalized nursing education across its BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Small class ratios enable close mentoring relationships and individualized guidance. The curriculum blends online, lab simulation, and clinical experiences at top Cleveland hospitals and community clinics.

Capital University

Location: Bexley, OH

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 66%

Avg SAT Score: 1080

Tuition: $36,000 per year

Avg Salary After Graduation: $60,000

Website: capital.edu/nursing

Capital University’s small BSN program emphasizes practical nursing skills, community health, and Christian values. Students complete clinical rotations across three Columbus hospitals through personalized faculty coordination. Capital reports excellent NCLEX exam pass rates and strong job placement outcomes locally.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main nursing careers?

The most common nursing careers include registered nurse, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse administrator, and nursing professor. Each path requires different levels of education from an associate to a doctoral degree.

What degree do I need to become an RN?

To become a registered nurse (RN), you need either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). BSN programs provide more advanced coursework and clinical experience which can lead to higher salaries.

How long does it take to get a BSN?

A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes 4 years to complete. However, accelerated BSN programs are available which take just 12-24 months. These accelerated options are intended for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.

What classes do nursing students take?

Common nursing classes include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, ethics, psychology, sociology, public health/community health, research methods, health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and extensive practical nursing coursework.

Where do nurses complete clinical rotations?

Nursing students complete hands-on clinical rotations at hospitals, health clinics, long-term care facilities, private practices, community health organizations, and other healthcare sites. These experiences are supervised by experienced nurse mentors.

How competitive are nursing programs?

Nursing programs are very competitive, often receiving many more applicants than number of seats available. The most selective schools admit less than 30% of applicants. Competitive applicants have high GPAs, strong entrance exam scores, healthcare experience, and excellent references.

What is the NCLEX exam?

The NCLEX examination is a national licensing exam that all nursing graduates must pass before practicing as an RN. There are two versions of the NCLEX – one for registered nurses and one for practical nurses. The rigorous exam assesses student knowledge and ability.

Can an RN with an ADN earn a higher salary?

Yes, many ADN-prepared registered nurses choose to continue their education through RN-to-BSN programs. Earning a BSN provides opportunities for career advancement and higher nursing salaries. Many schools offer flexible online RN-to-BSN options.

Where do nurses find jobs after graduation?

Hospitals and private healthcare practices hire the largest number of new nurses. Other common work settings include outpatient clinics, schools, long-term care, home health, government, and community organizations. Top employers vary by location.

What is the average nurse salary for Ohio?

As of 2022, the average annual salary for Ohio registered nurses was $71,730. Salaries vary by factors like education level, years of experience, specialization, and work setting. The highest nurse salaries are found in Ohio’s largest cities.

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Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.

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