Best Nursing Schools in Ohio: Top Online & Campus Programs

Ohio University offers multiple undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees, including on-campus LPN to RN, ADN, and BSN programs as well as online RN to BSN, MSN, DNP, and graduate certificate options. All these programs are CCNE accredited, and the school’s NCLEX-RN pass rate is over 85%.

Students pursuing a traditional on-campus BSN start as pre-BSN majors and complete prerequisite and general education courses their first year. Current RNs who want to follow the online RN-to-BSN pathway can choose from eight different start dates throughout the year. The flexible start dates and online classes increase the convenience of earning a BSN without disrupting your career.

The MSN degree has four different concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Doctoral programs include BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP options and are available 90% online with 3 one- or two-day on-campus intensives. There are also seven post-graduate certificates available as well.

Ohio State University (OSU) offers RN to BSN, BSN, and MSN degrees along with post-master’s specialization options. Undergraduate tuition is very affordable at under $5,000 a semester with students paying in-state rates no matter where they live.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares students for work in hospitals, clinics, businesses, and homes. This 4-year degree is typically full-time, though there are some exceptions for students needing part-time. Upon graduation, students are ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

The RN-to-BSN option is available 100% online and either full-time or part-time. Ohio State’s graduate programs include a traditional MSN and a direct-entry MSN for those with a bachelor’s degree in a different subject. Doctoral options include a BSN to DNP, post-master’s DNP, and PhD programs.

The nursing school at OSU is set apart because of its evidence-based practice, global engagement, and innovation. Its focus on primary care leadership, research, and wellness also makes it stand out.

Students attending the Mount Carmel College of Nursing have a student-to-faculty ratio of just 8-to-1. This individualized attention helps students not only learn the necessary skills but also implement them confidently.

There are five different options for undergraduates pursuing a BSN.

Undergraduate tuition for a traditional BSN is $460/non-clinical credit and $1,033/clinical credit. Programs are fully accredited by NCAC and the CCNE.

Master’s programs range from 33 to 48 required credits. The MSN has three different tracks: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Leadership – Clinical Operations.

Chamberlain University understands that once you start working as an RN, you’ll want to continue learning without needing to leave your job. To meet this need, Chamberlain offers an RN to BSN, RN to MSN, traditional MSN, and DNP — all 100% online.

Courses start at Chamberlain every eight weeks, and there are no mandatory log-in times. This means you can learn at your own pace and in your own time. If you’re new to the idea of completing online classes, your admissions counselor can walk you through a personalized tour of the online learning environment.

Students pursuing the RN-to-BSN online option spend an average of 8-10 hours per week for each class on schoolwork, and they complete their degrees in as little as three semesters. Practice experiences are built into courses and can be completed at your workplace, and there are the clinical rotations like you had while preparing for your license.

Kent State University is known for its dedication to innovative and evidence-based nursing education. Their online courses start every seven weeks throughout the year, allowing students to pursue RN-to-BSN, MSN, or DNP 100% online programs from wherever they are and in their own time.

The online RN-to-BSN nursing program can be completed in as little as 12 months and only costs $400 per credit hour regardless of residency. Graduates can assume roles as professional nurses and pursue career advancement, including additional graduate education. KSU’s nursing education helps students apply evidence-based nursing processes in a culturally sensitive way to promote the health and adaptation of individuals and families.

Mercy College of Ohio has both RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN online degrees available. The RN-to-BSN program has three start dates throughout the year and is designed specifically for working RNs. Courses include Nursing Informatics, Population Health Assessment, Global Focused Nursing Care, and Nursing Leadership. All nursing core courses can be completed in as little as 12 months of full-time study.

For those wanting to go beyond an MSN, Mercy College’s RN-to-MSN online program can be finished in as little as three years. There are two tracks available, Nursing Leadership and Nursing Education. Students receive 32-39 block credits for their associate or diploma degrees in nursing in addition to credit for any previously completed and required general education coursework. Though students will not earn a BSN in the middle of the program, they do complete certain baccalaureate coursework and the RN-to-MSN Bridge course before entering the MSN coursework. Classes include Informatics and Healthcare Technologies, Theoretical Foundations for Professional Nursing Practice, and Healthcare Policy in the Global Community.