2026 Best Nursing Schools in Ohio
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Ohio? This list ranks 273 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 231 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Ohio
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Case Western Reserve University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Nursing degree schools in Ohio. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
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The strong Nursing programs at Ohio Northern University earned it the #2 place in Ohio. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ada, OH. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,600. The median Nursing program debt is $26,661. More on Ohio Northern University
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A rank of #3 makes Akron Institute Of Herzing University one of the top choices in Ohio. Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit school based in Akron, OH. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Akron Institute Of Herzing University Nursing students take on a median of $32,277 in debt. Read the full report on Akron Institute Of Herzing University
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A rank of #4 makes James A Rhodes State College one of the top choices in Ohio. James A Rhodes State College is a public school based in Lima, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. James A Rhodes State College Nursing students take on a median of $17,070 in debt. Read the full report on James A Rhodes State College
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The strong Nursing programs at Otterbein University earned it the #5 place in Ohio. Otterbein University is a private not-for-profit school based in Westerville, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Otterbein University Nursing students take on a median of $25,282 in debt. See the full Otterbein University profile
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Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
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Muskingum University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in New Concord, OH, Muskingum University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,701. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,932. Get the full Muskingum University report
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University Of Mount Union ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Alliance, OH. University Of Mount Union graduates 59% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. See the full University Of Mount Union profile
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Xavier University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Cincinnati, OH, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,425. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,614. See the full Xavier University profile
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Cedarville University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Cedarville, OH, Cedarville University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cedarville University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Cedarville University
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Ohio University Southern Campus placed #11 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Based in Ironton, OH, Ohio University Southern Campus is a public institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Graduates carry a median of $24,542 in student loans. Get the full Ohio University Southern Campus report
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Ohio University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,546. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
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Baldwin Wallace College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a private not-for-profit school based in Berea, OH. Baldwin Wallace College graduates 67% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,307. Read more about Baldwin Wallace College
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The University Of Findlay landed the #15 spot in Ohio this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Findlay, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,164. Students borrow a median of $25,759 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full The University Of Findlay report
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Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Mount Vernon, OH, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Mount Vernon Nazarene University
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Franciscan University Of Steubenville did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Steubenville, OH. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Franciscan University Of Steubenville
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Wright State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Read more about Wright State University Main Campus
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Beckfield College Tri County did well this year, earning the #19 position. Beckfield College Tri County is a private for-profit school based in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $14,250. Beckfield College Tri County Nursing students take on a median of $25,244 in debt. Read more about Beckfield College Tri County
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Cleveland State University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Cleveland, OH, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Cleveland State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Read more about Cleveland State University
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Capital University placed #21 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Set in Columbus, OH, Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,234. Graduates carry a median of $28,269 in student loans. More on Capital University
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University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #22 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Set in Blue Ash, OH, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,408. See the full University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College profile
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Wright State University Lake Campus placed #23 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Set in Celina, OH, Wright State University Lake Campus is a public institution. Wright State University Lake Campus graduates 35% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, with out-of-state students paying around $17,072. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,522. Get the full Wright State University Lake Campus report
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Walsh University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in North Canton, OH, Walsh University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. The median Nursing program debt is $28,064. Read more about Walsh University
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Lakeland Community College placed #25 among Nursing schools in Ohio. This public school is set in Kirtland, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Read the full report on Lakeland Community College
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Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Central Ohio Technical College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Newark, OH, Central Ohio Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, compared with $8,016 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,779. More on Central Ohio Technical College
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Ursuline College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Pepper Pike, OH, Ursuline College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,990. Typical Nursing student debt is $35,000. Read the full report on Ursuline College
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Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Chillicothe, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 12%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,542 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Ohio University Chillicothe Campus report
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Fortis College Centerville landed the #29 spot in Ohio this year. Based in Centerville, OH, Fortis College Centerville is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,440. Fortis College Centerville Nursing students take on a median of $24,327 in debt. See the full Fortis College Centerville profile
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Ashland University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ashland, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,210. Graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Get the full Ashland University report
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Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Read more about Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
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Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Bowling Green State University Main Campus Nursing students take on a median of $25,449 in debt. More on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Akron, OH, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. See the full University Of Akron Main Campus profile
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Ohio Christian University landed the #34 spot in Ohio this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Circleville, OH. About 50% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,190. Students borrow a median of $30,947 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Ohio Christian University
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University Of Toledo landed the #35 spot in Ohio this year. Set in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. University Of Toledo posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Toledo
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Kent State University At Kent landed the #36 spot in Ohio this year. Located in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
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College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #37 spot in Ohio this year. Set in Cincinnati, OH, College Of Mount St Joseph is a private not-for-profit institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. The median Nursing program debt is $28,273. Read the full report on College Of Mount St Joseph
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Cuyahoga Community College District did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Cleveland, OH, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Cuyahoga Community College District
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Owens Community College placed #39 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Based in Perrysburg, OH, Owens Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Owens Community College
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Hiram College landed the #40 spot in Ohio this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hiram, OH. Hiram College graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $27,397. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,144. Get the full Hiram College report
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Malone University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Based in Canton, OH, Malone University is a private not-for-profit institution. Malone University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,160. The median Nursing program debt is $27,956. More on Malone University
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Kent State University At Tuscarawas ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a public school based in New Philadelphia, OH. Roughly 4% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,569 in student loans. See the full Kent State University At Tuscarawas profile
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Notre Dame College placed #43 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Set in Cleveland, OH, Notre Dame College is a private not-for-profit institution. The median Nursing program debt is $29,397. Read the full report on Notre Dame College
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Clark State Community College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Located in Springfield, OH, Clark State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,740. See the full Clark State Community College profile
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University Of Rio Grande ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. University Of Rio Grande is a private not-for-profit school based in Rio Grande, OH. University Of Rio Grande graduates 36% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $20,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,044 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of Rio Grande
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Kent State University At Geauga did well this year, earning the #46 position. This public school is set in Burton, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 1%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $25,319. More on Kent State University At Geauga
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Kent State University At Ashtabula placed #47 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Set in Ashtabula, OH, Kent State University At Ashtabula is a public institution. Kent State University At Ashtabula posts a six-year graduation rate of 1%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,562. Read more about Kent State University At Ashtabula
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Stautzenberger College Maumee came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Maumee, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,699. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,219. Get the full Stautzenberger College Maumee report
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Lourdes College placed #49 among Nursing schools in Ohio. Set in Sylvania, OH, Lourdes College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 32% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $28,370. The median Nursing program debt is $29,668. See the full Lourdes College profile
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North Central State College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Mansfield, OH, North Central State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,236. See the full North Central State College profile
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 231 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 273 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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