Your Guide to the Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Ohio

RN to BSN Programs in Ohio: What to Expect

An online RN to BSN program is a great choice for registered nurses seeking to obtain a nursing bachelor’s while continuing their RN employment. That’s because schools offering these programs design them with working nurses in mind through features such as:

• Fully-online and hybrid (partially-online) formats
• Asynchronous content delivery that allows students to log on and complete their coursework according to their own schedules
• Generous credit transfer policies that allow students to transfer in the majority of credits needed to earn their BSN from their diploma or associate degree programs
• Awarding of credits for active RN licensure

The result of all of this is tremendous study convenience and flexibility along with short completion times and affordable costs.

We’ll discuss all of this in detail below, but to start you off, here are spotlights of three current online RN to BSN programs in Ohio. These spotlights will give you a good idea of what you can expect from the programs you ultimately consider.

Common Ohio RN to BSN Questions Answered

As you explore your RN to BSN program options, it’s natural to have a few questions of your own about program and career details. That’s why we’ve answered the following five questions frequently asked by prospective Ohio RN to BSN online students.

How will an RN to BSN program in Ohio prepare me for more opportunities?

A BSN degree prepares registered nurses for advanced roles in nursing leadership and management, as well as specialized practice, resulting in expanded career opportunities and higher earnings.

Obtaining your nursing bachelor’s additionally provides you with the undergraduate degree needed to continue on to graduate studies to earn your:

• MSN degree, leading to advanced nursing practice roles in any number of specialized areas
• Doctoral degree, leading to terminal careers in advanced scientific research and post-secondary education

How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in Ohio?

Completion times for RN to BSN programs vary from program to program depending mostly on:

• Total number of credits needed to earn the BSN
• Number of previously-earned credits transferred in from the student’s nursing diploma or ADN program
• Number of credits awarded for active RN licensure
• Student’s chosen study pace (full-time, part-time, self-paced)

Once all of the above-described credits are applied, most RN to BSN online programs in Ohio require students to complete around 30 credits (give or take) within the RN to BSN program.

How affordable are RN to BSN programs in Ohio?

Affordability is a key benefit to obtaining a nursing bachelor’s degree through an online RN to BSN program in Ohio, with tuition rates generally running between $400 to $750 per credit. Your actual total program cost, however, will depend on a number of factors, such as:

• The total number of credits you must earn in the RN to BSN program. Most programs require completion of around 30 credits.
• Whether the school offering the program is public or private. Private schools may charge higher tuition rates than public schools.
• The student’s state of residence. Public schools often charge higher (sometimes substantially higher) tuition rates to out-of-state students.

Keep in mind that tuition rates do not include additional costs for fees, books and study materials, etc. Also, don’t forget to factor in any financial aid funds you receive to help lower your total program bill.

Is financial aid available to Ohio RN to BSN students?

Absolutely. In fact, there is a full range of financial aid options available to qualifying online RN to BSN students in Ohio that include:

• Scholarships and grants
• Student loans
• Employer tuition reimbursement
• Tuition discount, deferment, and installment plans

Scholarships are available from variety of sources, including colleges and universities themselves. For example, Ohio University offers a number of internal scholarships exclusively to their nursing students.

Other valuable scholarship sources include professional organizations like the Ohio Nurses Association and the Ohio Health Care Association.

The best way to start your funding search is by contacting the financial aid offices at each of the schools you’re considering. They’ll be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information on resources to help you pay for your RN to BSN education.

What are the admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in Ohio?

Admission requirements also vary from program to program, but there are several that apply to most online RN to BSN programs in Ohio, including:

• Nursing diploma or associate degree from a properly-accredited program
• Minimum GPA on previously-completed postsecondary coursework
• Active, unencumbered RN license
  
  A few programs admit students prior to finishing their diploma or ADN program, but typically require they complete that program and obtain their RN licensure before beginning specific BSN coursework.

You’ll likely also need to pass a criminal background check and drug screening, as well as provide proof that you are up to date on all necessary immunizations.

Again, each RN to BSN program has its own specific admissions requirements, so be sure you carefully review and make sure you meet all requirements for any program you’re considering before submitting your application.

Ohio RN vs. BSN Salary & Career Details

Earning a BSN provides a boost to both earnings and job prospects for registered nurses employed in Ohio, particularly when compared to RNs with other academic credentials.

In regard to earnings, according to recent (January 2026) figures from ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for registered nurses in the state is $84,263, substantially higher than that for RNs in Ohio with just an ADN degree ($73,776).

What you actually earn in your Ohio RN job, however, is dependent on a number of factors, the most important being:

• Specific employer
• Specific job title and duties
• Level of professional nursing experience
• Geographic location

As for job opportunities, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Projections Central website projects a 3.4% job growth for RNs in Ohio between 2022 and 2032. This is somewhat lower than the 5.6% projection for RNs nationwide, but is slightly higher than the 2.8% projection for all jobs in the U.S during the same period.

Ranking Ohio’s Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs

We’ve taken a look at all of the online RN to BSN programs currently offered in Ohio and identified what we believe to be some of the best, which we’ve ranked and listed below. Our selections were made taking into account data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and considering such factors as:

• Availability of online program options
• Program costs and grant amounts to students
• Proper accreditation
• Access to academic counseling and career placement services
• Low student/faculty ratios

Click the “About the ranking” button below for detailed information on our rankings process.