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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Ohio

68 Schools Ranked
$40,565 Average Earnings
$23,586 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Schools in Ohio to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 68 schools in Ohio to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Ohio

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$62,001 Average Earnings
$22,022 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Case Western Reserve University the best school in Ohio for nursing students working on their degree.

Degree recipients from Case Western accumulate an average of $22,022 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $458. Once they receive their degree, Case Western graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,001 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Case Western Reserve University

$54,915 Average Earnings
$25,027 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Ohio Northern University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Ohio.

Degree recipients from ONU accumulate an average of $25,027 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $277 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ONU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,915 during the early year of their career.

Full Ohio Northern University Report

$40,551 Average Earnings
$34,675 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Herzing University - Akron is a great place for nursing students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,675 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $156 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Herzing Akron graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,551 during the early year of their career.

Full Herzing University - Akron Report

$38,621 Average Earnings
$16,780 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 68 schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, James A Rhodes State College landed the # 4 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $16,780 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Rhodes State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,621 during the early year of their career.

Full James A Rhodes State College Report

#5

Otterbein University

Westerville, Ohio
$40,331 Average Earnings
$26,818 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Otterbein University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

On average, students take out $26,818 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $429. Once they receive their degree, Otterbein graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,331 during the early year of their career.

Full Otterbein University Report

$49,871 Average Earnings
$22,340 Avg Student Debt

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,340 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $272, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Ohio State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,871 during the early years of their career.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Report

#7

Muskingum University

New Concord, Ohio
$37,532 Average Earnings
$28,976 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Muskingum University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $28,976 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Muskingum graduates make an average of $37,532 annually.

Read More…

#8

University of Mount Union

Alliance, Ohio
$39,121 Average Earnings
$25,155 Avg Student Debt

University of Mount Union came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Ohio ranking.

Degree recipients from Mount Union accumulate an average of $25,155 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $356.After graduating from Mount Union, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,121 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Mount Union

#9

Xavier University

Cincinnati, Ohio
$49,232 Average Earnings
$24,737 Avg Student Debt

Xavier University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Ohio ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,737 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $589. During the early years of their career, Xavier graduates make an average of $49,232 annually.

Full Xavier University Report

#10

Cedarville University

Cedarville, Ohio
$50,578 Average Earnings

Cedarville University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Ohio ranking.

Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $314 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cedarville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,578 during the early years of their career.

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$39,998 Average Earnings
$22,883 Avg Student Debt

Ohio University - Southern Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list.

On average, students take out $22,883 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $344. During the early years of their career, OHIO Southern graduates make an average of $39,998 annually.

Read full report on Ohio University - Southern Campus

$45,584 Average Earnings
$22,883 Avg Student Debt

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

Degree recipients from OHIO Athens accumulate an average of $22,883 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $344 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, OHIO Athens graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,584 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Ohio University - Athens Campus

$49,016 Average Earnings
$24,329 Avg Student Debt

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Ohio ranking.

On average, students take out $24,329 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $285 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UC graduates make an average of $49,016 annually.

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$41,374 Average Earnings
$28,183 Avg Student Debt

Baldwin Wallace University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

On average, students take out $28,183 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $332.After graduating from Baldwin Wallace College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,374 during the early years of their career.

Full Baldwin Wallace University Report

#15

The University of Findlay

Findlay, Ohio
$49,793 Average Earnings
$24,363 Avg Student Debt

The University of Findlay came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Ohio ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,363 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $495 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Findlay graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,793 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on The University of Findlay

#16

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon, Ohio
$41,208 Average Earnings
$27,758 Avg Student Debt

Mount Vernon Nazarene University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

Degree recipients from MVNU accumulate an average of $27,758 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from MVNU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,208 during the early years of their career.

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$37,851 Average Earnings
$21,301 Avg Student Debt

Franciscan University of Steubenville ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

Degree recipients from Franciscan U accumulate an average of $21,301 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $530, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Franciscan U graduates make an average of $37,851 annually.

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$43,588 Average Earnings
$26,865 Avg Student Debt

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list.

Degree recipients from Wright State University - Main Campus accumulate an average of $26,865 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $124, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Wright State University - Main Campus graduates make an average of $43,588 annually.

Full Wright State University - Main Campus Report

#19

Beckfield College - Tri-County

Springdale, Ohio
$31,768 Average Earnings
$25,438 Avg Student Debt

Beckfield College - Tri-County ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

On average, students take out $25,438 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Beckfield College - Tri-County graduates make an average of $31,768 annually.

Read full report on Beckfield College - Tri-County

#20

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
$44,241 Average Earnings
$28,394 Avg Student Debt

Cleveland State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $28,394 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $158, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cleveland State University graduates make an average of $44,241 annually.

Full Cleveland State University Report

#21

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio
$40,866 Average Earnings
$31,091 Avg Student Debt

Capital University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

On average, students take out $31,091 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $401 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Capital graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,866 during the early year of their career.

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$43,652 Average Earnings
$21,619 Avg Student Debt

University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

On average, students take out $21,619 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $142, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UC Blue Ash College graduates make an average of $43,652 annually.

Read More…

$38,405 Average Earnings
$26,929 Avg Student Debt

Wright State University - Lake Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Ohio list.

Degree recipients from Wright State University - Lake Campus accumulate an average of $26,929 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $124 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Wright State University - Lake Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,405 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wright State University - Lake Campus

#24

Walsh University

North Canton, Ohio
$43,775 Average Earnings
$32,434 Avg Student Debt

Walsh University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Ohio ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,434 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $335. During the early years of their career, Walsh graduates make an average of $43,775 annually.

Full Walsh University Report

#25

Lakeland Community College

Kirtland, Ohio
$42,671 Average Earnings
$21,699 Avg Student Debt

Lakeland Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Lakeland accumulate an average of $21,699 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Lakeland graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,671 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Lakeland Community College

Best Nursing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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