Online MSN Programs in Ohio: Evaluating Top Schools
If you want to make a difference in the medical field as a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or in another specialization, earning your MSN degree online is a great next step. This EduMed guide explores top-rated online and hybrid MSN programs in Ohio, reviews hiring trends in the field, answers student FAQs, and more. Find the MSN degree that fits your wants and needs at a Ohio school that makes sense for you.
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NursingNursing Ed.Exploring Ohio’s Online MSN Programs
When choosing an MSN program in Ohio, do your due diligence to make sure your shortlist schools and programs are a good fit. You can use criteria to narrow down your selection, from the length of the program to the specializations available.
However, top MSN programs share some common characteristics and qualities. Make sure that every program you consider is regionally accredited and has the resources you need to graduate successfully and on time.
Many MSN programs in Ohio, including the schools listed below, offer:
- Some online coursework
- Synchronous or asynchronous formats
- In-person clinical trainings
In the following program spotlights, you’ll learn about the key characteristics of some high-quality online MSN programs.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration – Wright State University
The Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration at Wright University is an accredited and highly-rated online MSN program that provides flexibility and affordability.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). This national certification is necessary for advanced practice licensure in many states, including Ohio.
Features:
- Most courses can be completed online
- Coursework includes a combination of core, supporting, and specialized classes
- Affordable tuition for in-state residents
- Graduate level scholarship opportunities for MSN students
Duration: 49 credits, 616 clinical hours (about 1-2 years)
Mode: Primarily online with 1-2 required campus visits per semester
Cost: $7,908/semester for full-time study, $730/credit hour for part-time study (*Ohio resident rates, non-resident rates are higher)
Admissions Requirements:
- BSN from an accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Unencumbered U.S. nursing license
- At least two years of post-BSN work experience
- Clean criminal record/ background screen
Curriculum:
- Leadership in Nursing
- Primary Care of Women, Children, and Adolescents
- Population Health
- Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
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MSN – Kent State University Online
If you’re looking to advance your skills and career as a nurse, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Kent State University is a flexible option. Students in this program choose from multiple concentrations, including:
- Nurse Practitioner—with specialization in gerontology, pediatrics, women’s health, or psychiatric mental health
- Nursing Administration
- Nursing Education
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
Features:
- Takes about four to five semesters (or around two years) to finish, if enrolled full-time
- Part-time option available to students who want to continue working while they learn
- Graduates are prepared to sit for the national certification exam
Duration: 35-42 credits and 300-600 clinical hours, depending on concentration (about 2 years)
Mode: Online
Cost: $6,528/semester flat rate for full-time study, $595/credit for part-time study (*Ohio resident rates, non-resident rates are higher)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited registered nursing program
- At least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- At least a C grade on an undergraduate statistics course
- Unencumbered nursing license
- Resume, essay, and professional reference letters
Curriculum:
- Advanced Nursing Informatics
- Health Policy
- Advanced Nursing Practice
- Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice
- Methods of Inquiry
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration – University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati offers an accredited and flexible online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program with multiple specialization options.
Tracks offered:
- Nurse Practitioner—with specialization in adult-gerontology primary care, family health, neonatal, and women’s health
- Nurse Midwifery
- Systems Leadership
- Nursing Education
Features of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program:
- Prepares students to diagnose and manage medical conditions from children to older adults
- Ideal for nurses who plan to continue working while earning an advanced degree
- Curriculum is most often completed over the course of six to seven semesters
- Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam
Duration: 51 credits, 672 clinical hours (about 2 years)
Mode: Online
Cost: $892/credit hour for Ohio residents
Admissions Requirements:
- BSN from a regionally and ACEN or CCNE accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (on BSN and science courses) and a 2.0 or higher on an undergraduate statistics course
- Unencumbered RN license
- One year of RN experience
Curriculum:
- Biostatistics
- Clinical Reasoning
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Family Health Nursing
- Family Nurse Practitioner Practicums and Seminars
Frequently Asked Questions from Ohio MSN Students
It’s normal to have questions as you research schools and plan out your career trajectory. In the section below, we’ve done our best to answer some common questions and concerns that prospective students like you might have.
What jobs can you get with an MSN from an Ohio school?
An MSN degree can prepare students for a range of advanced nursing roles, including:
- Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN): nurse practitioners (NPs), nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse educator
- Nurse informaticist
- Nurse researcher
- Forensic nurse examiner
NP programs—like the one at Ohio State University—prepare students for specialized clinical roles, including neonatal nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
After earning a master’s, you have the option to further your career in healthcare leadership through a dual master’s program, such as Capital University’s MSN/MBA program.
An MSN can also lead to further academic study, such as obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
How long is an MSN program in Ohio and how much does it cost?
On average, MSN programs in Ohio take anywhere from 24 to 27 months to complete, and cost can vary significantly from program to program. The length and cost of your studies depend on several factors, including:
- Your degree specialization
- Whether you’re enrolled part-time or full-time
- How quickly you can obtain the required clinical training hours
- Your program’s pace—For example, you can earn an MSN degree in as little as five semesters through the University of Cincinnati’s accelerated MSN program
MSN program cost may also be impacted by your state residency and how much funding you’ve secured. Take a look at our guide to some of the most affordable MSN programs available to potential students like you.
Do employers in Ohio accept graduates from online MSN programs?
It’s very unlikely an Ohio employer would deny you a position because you attended an online MSN program. In most cases, your degree and nursing license is what qualifies you for employment. Employers want to ensure that you are competent in the role in which you are applying.
To prove competency, choose a quality program, particularly one that is accredited by the ACEN or CCNE. And if you’re applying for clinical roles, be sure you have completed all clinical training requirements in school.
Expert Insight
Most employers simply want to know that you can practice safely and legally. Let’s say you’re applying for an NP role. The employer will most likely rely on the fact that you have an NP license/certification and an MSN (or higher) from an accredited program. Why? Because they know that state boards of nursing will not award you an NP license if you graduate from a school that is not accredited.
Are MSN nurses in high demand in Ohio?
Yes, the state will see an increasing demand for MSN graduates, given Ohio’s abysmal health picture and the nation’s push for master’s-educated nurses.
For example, the BLS estimates that the state’s employment rate for nurse practitioners will increase by 49% over the next decade, which is faster than the national average.
There’s also a growing demand for nurse educators as the demand for undergraduate nursing school enrollment increases. Currently, many schools face a shortage of faculty or clinical instructors.
Whether you want to become a nurse practitioner, a nurse educator, or something else, there will be no shortage of openings in the state in the years to come.
What requirements do I need to apply for admission to MSN programs in Ohio?
Individual requirements vary slightly from school to school, but general requirements for MSN programs in Ohio include:
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited institution (for traditional MSN programs)
- Letters of recommendation
- RN licensure
- Resume or CV
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
In addition, each school may have its own requirements, like an application fee or an admission interview. Be sure to check the specific program website for which you intend to apply.
Types of MSN Programs in Ohio
Earning an MSN degree is an exciting prospect because there are many options depending on your education, work experience, and future goals. Whether you already hold a BSN or are changing careers, there’s an MSN program for you. Below are some of the most common examples in Ohio.
Traditional MSN
This is the traditional route for students who have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) as well as nursing experience.
An MSN is designed to build on a student’s established nursing foundation and equip nurses to advance to leadership or more specialized roles, such as family nurse practitioner.
Direct-Entry MSN
A direct entry MSN program is for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and who wish to become a registered nurse.
Graduates of these programs can sit for the NCLEX–RN exam and can continue to advanced practice roles, while others decide to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
Accelerated MSN
Accelerated MSN programs allow students to complete their MSN degree as quickly as possible and is helpful for those who are looking to switch career paths and hoping to do so in a short amount of time.
These programs run continually and do not typically offer extended breaks between semesters, as you’ll find in traditional programs.
RN to MSN Bridge
RN to MSN Bridge programs allow students with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who have their RN license to pursue an MSN degree. Students bypass a BSN program, saving them time and money.
Though curriculum entails elements of both bachelor’s and master’s degree learning, schools may or may not award you a BSN along with your MSN upon graduation.
Dual Master’s
Dual master’s degree options are great for students who want to extend their expertise in other fields along with nursing, such as law, business, or theological studies.
Combination MSN/JD and MSN/MBA programs, for example, allow you to get master’s degrees in both fields in a shorter period and prepare you for upper-level leadership positions in healthcare.
Career Details for MSN Graduates in Ohio
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $97,960 | $129,210 | $169,950 |
| Ohio | $98,380 | $126,740 | $154,280 |
| Akron, OH | $41,110 | $122,820 | $140,140 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $100,430 | $124,510 | $150,470 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $76,280 | $130,100 | $157,090 |
| Cleveland, OH | $98,620 | $128,300 | $154,280 |
| Columbus, OH | $79,040 | $127,020 | $156,000 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $22,010 | $125,680 | $150,510 |
| Lima, OH | $99,640 | $120,760 | $137,720 |
| Mansfield, OH | $98,040 | $119,880 | $135,300 |
| Sandusky, OH | $74,410 | $124,600 | $143,130 |
| Springfield, OH | $104,240 | $123,720 | $137,290 |
| Toledo, OH | $101,410 | $124,190 | $151,340 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $47,990 | $116,280 | $149,120 |
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 |
| Ohio | 11,020 | 15,710 | 4,690 | 42.60% | 1,060 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Ohio’s Top-Ranked Online MSN Programs
Not all MSN programs are created equally, so to help you find a school that’s worthy of your time and money, we’ve developed a comprehensive ranking system. Our ranking system utilizes data pulled from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and gives a weight to a variety of metrics such as percentage of online courses, tuition, and student/faculty ratio. The schools listed below offer an ideal combination of flexible learning, affordable tuition, and high-quality teaching.
