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Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio

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2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

33 Schools Ranked
$9,045 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$21,853 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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Our analysis looked at 33 schools in Ohio to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

104 Total Awards
$8,721 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found James A Rhodes State College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Ohio. Rhodes State College is a small public school situated in Lima, Ohio. It awarded 104 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rhodes State College are $8,721 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,411 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Rhodes State College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.

Rhodes State College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list.

Full James A Rhodes State College Report

#2

Lakeland Community College

Kirtland, Ohio
114 Total Awards
$8,975 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lakeland Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Lakeland is located in Kirtland, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 associate degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lakeland are $8,975 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,215 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Lakeland, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

In addition to its great value ranking, Lakeland is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list.

Read full report on Lakeland Community College

#3

Clark State Community College

Springfield, Ohio
152 Total Awards
$7,328 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Clark State Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Ohio. Springfield, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 152 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clark State Community College are $7,328 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $24,058 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Clark State Community College. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

136 Total Awards
$8,076 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Sinclair Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 136 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Sinclair Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,076 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,728 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Sinclair Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

327 Total Awards
$8,586 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 33 schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s value ranking, Cuyahoga Community College District landed the # 5 spot on the list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 327 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cuyahoga Community College District are $8,586 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,998 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cuyahoga Community College District. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Cuyahoga Community College District

189 Total Awards
$7,656 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Ohio Technical College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Newark, Ohio, the small public school handed out 189 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

COTC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,656 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,294 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that COTC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

COTC also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list, coming in at #5.

Full Central Ohio Technical College Report

42 Total Awards
$4,032 Average Tuition & Fees

Washington State Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Located in Marietta, Ohio, the small public school handed out 42 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

WSCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,032 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,611 in student loans.

Online courses are available at WSCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

146 Total Awards
$8,405 Average Tuition & Fees

Lorain County Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Lorain County Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Elyria, Ohio that handed out 146 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LCCC are $8,405 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,649 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that LCCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Lorain County Community College Report

83 Total Awards
$8,766 Average Tuition & Fees

Ohio University - Southern Campus landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. OHIO Southern is a small public school situated in Ironton, Ohio. It awarded 83 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OHIO Southern are $8,766 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,209 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that OHIO Southern does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

OHIO Southern also took the #3 spot in our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio rankings.

Read More…

#10

Stark State College

North Canton, Ohio
111 Total Awards
$7,406 Average Tuition & Fees

Stark State College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Stark State College is located in North Canton, Ohio and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 111 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Stark State College are $7,406 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,837 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Stark State College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Stark State College Report

59 Total Awards
$9,090 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

Cincinnati State undergraduate students pay an average of $9,090 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,224 in student loans.

Cincinnati State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

58 Total Awards
$7,626 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,013 Avg Student Debt

Edison State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Edison Community College is a small public school situated in Piqua, Ohio. It awarded 58 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Edison Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,626 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,013 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Edison Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Edison State Community College Report

54 Total Awards
$8,450 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest State Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Northwest State Community College is located in Archbold, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 associate degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northwest State Community College are $8,450 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,695 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Northwest State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 28% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Northwest State Community College

32 Total Awards
$8,766 Average Tuition & Fees

Ohio University - Chillicothe Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. This small public school is located in Chillicothe, Ohio, and it awarded 32 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OHIO Chillicothe are $8,766 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,884 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that OHIO Chillicothe does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, OHIO Chillicothe also is in the top 20% of our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking.

Read More…

#15

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, Ohio
214 Total Awards
$9,782 Average Tuition & Fees

Owens Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Perrysburg, Ohio, and it awarded 214 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Owens State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,782 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,371 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Owens State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 68% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Owens Community College

#16

Belmont College

Saint Clairsville, Ohio
27 Total Awards
$6,840 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,894 Avg Student Debt

Belmont College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Belmont College is a very small public school located in Saint Clairsville, Ohio that handed out 27 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Belmont College are $6,840 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,894 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Belmont College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

71 Total Awards
$15,185 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College is a medium-sized public school located in Blue Ash, Ohio that handed out 71 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Blue Ash College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,185 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,575 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UC Blue Ash College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

UC Blue Ash College also took the #4 spot in our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio rankings.

Read More…

#18

North Central State College

Mansfield, Ohio
55 Total Awards
$10,784 Average Tuition & Fees

North Central State College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Mansfield, Ohio, the small public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central State College are $10,784 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,492 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at North Central State College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full North Central State College Report

38 Total Awards
$9,768 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,259 Avg Student Debt

Southern State Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Southern State Community College is a small public school situated in Hillsboro, Ohio. It awarded 38 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southern State Community College are $9,768 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,259 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Southern State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#20

Kent State University at Tuscarawas

New Philadelphia, Ohio
47 Total Awards
$15,527 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Tuscarawas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in New Philadelphia, Ohio, the small public school handed out 47 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Kent State University at Tuscarawas undergraduate students pay an average of $15,527 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $22,596 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Kent State University at Tuscarawas does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

59 Total Awards
$15,527 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Geauga landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Kent State University at Geauga is a small public school situated in Burton, Ohio. It awarded 59 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Kent State University at Geauga are $15,527 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $26,123 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kent State University at Geauga. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Kent State University at Geauga Report

#22

Marion Technical College

Marion, Ohio
62 Total Awards
$9,505 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,054 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Marion Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Marion, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

MTC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,505 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,054 in loans while pursuing their degree.

MTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

34 Total Awards
$15,527 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Ashtabula landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Kent State University at Ashtabula is a small public school situated in Ashtabula, Ohio. It awarded 34 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kent State University at Ashtabula are $15,527 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $23,069 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Kent State University at Ashtabula does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#24

Eastern Gateway Community College

Steubenville, Ohio
34 Total Awards
$8,022 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,095 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Eastern Gateway Community College is located in Steubenville, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 associate degrees to qualified students.

Eastern Gateway Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,022 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,095 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Eastern Gateway Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Eastern Gateway Community College Report

#25

Hocking College

Nelsonville, Ohio
49 Total Awards
$9,810 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,207 Avg Student Debt

Hocking College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Nelsonville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

Hocking Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,810 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,207 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Hocking Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Hocking College Report

Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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