Compare tuition, NCLEX outcomes, and program options across Cincinnati's leading nursing schools
Cincinnati’s hospital network, anchored by UC Health, TriHealth, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, employs more than 30,000 nurses and supports one of the Midwest’s highest concentrations of clinical training sites. These institutions partner closely with area nursing schools, giving students direct access to high-acuity clinical rotations.
Nursing students in the city can enter the profession through a traditional four-year BSN, a fast-track ABSN for those with a prior degree, or an RN-to-BSN bridge for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses.
Because starting salaries for new BSN graduates in the region hover around $60,000, selecting a program with strong NCLEX performance and manageable debt can make a six-figure difference in lifetime earnings.
These rankings highlight the top accredited nursing schools within 25 miles of Cincinnati, Ohio, based on a blend of institutional quality, program design, and value. Each entry offers unique pathways into nursing, from traditional BSNs to accelerated and online options tailored for working professionals and career changers.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $26,000/yr | Direct-admit students on an academic health campus | |
The University of Cincinnati anchors nursing education in the city with a direct-admit BSN and an accelerated Direct-Entry MSN. Students train on an integrated academic health campus adjacent to UC Health, Cincinnati Children's, and the VA, gaining clinical experiences in top-tier settings. The program is over 130 years old and offers guaranteed clinical partnerships, simulation labs, and a strong employment pipeline into regional health systems.
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| #2 | Gateway Community and Technical College | Florence, KY | $5,000 – $6,000/yr | Budget-conscious students in accelerated bridge tracks | |
Gateway Community and Technical College offers an accessible ADN with multiple entry points, including advanced standing for LPNs and paramedics. The program combines low tuition with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Its accelerated bridge tracks and Work Ready KY Scholarship make nursing education affordable for residents.
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| #3 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | Cincinnati, OH | $20,000/yr (net price) | Working RNs pursuing online BSN completion | |
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science provides an online RN-to-BSN completion program for working nurses. The ACEN-accredited curriculum is delivered in seven-week sessions, allowing for flexibility while covering leadership, ethics, and population health. Graduates benefit from a high job placement rate and preparation for advanced degrees.
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| #4 | Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $29,000/yr | ||
Galen College of Nursing's Cincinnati campus offers a three-year BSN with year-round, on-campus instruction and simulation labs. The program requires no prerequisites to apply, features multiple start dates, and provides a streamlined path to licensure. Its focused, career-oriented structure appeals to career changers and recent high school graduates alike.
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| #5 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | $8,000/yr (net price) | ||
Northern Kentucky University's BSN program integrates clinical placements from the first semester in a state-of-the-art simulation center. CCNE-accredited and approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, it prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and careers in acute care, pediatrics, and community health. The program emphasizes faculty mentorship and a supportive campus environment.
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| #6 | Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH | $33,000/yr | ||
Xavier University combines a Jesuit-influenced BSN with extensive clinical partnerships at top Cincinnati hospitals. Students benefit from direct freshmen admission, study abroad options, and an emphasis on holistic care. The program boasts strong employment outcomes, with most graduates working in the region within months.
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| #7 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Cincinnati, OH | $18,000/yr | ||
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers BSN pathways with accelerated three-year and traditional four-year options, including evening and weekend classes. Guaranteed clinical placements at The Christ Hospital and dedicated NCLEX success mentors ensure focused preparation. The CCNE-accredited program also features a Career Pathways Program for early employment.
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| #8 | Mount St. Joseph University | Cincinnati, OH | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | ||
Mount St. Joseph University provides a direct-admission BSN and a Master's Graduate Entry-Level into Nursing (MAGELIN) for second-degree seekers. With over a century of nursing education, the program emphasizes ethical, patient-centered care through liberal arts and sciences. Students engage in off-campus clinicals and benefit from scholarships and grants.
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| #9 | Thomas More University | Crestview Hills, KY | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Thomas More University's BSN program partners with St. Elizabeth Healthcare, offering paid clinical rotations and a 100% NCLEX pass rate. The cohort-based, ACEN-accredited curriculum combines a liberal arts foundation with service learning. Graduates often transition directly into nursing roles at their clinical sites.
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| #10 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati, OH | $5,000/yr | ||
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College delivers an affordable, online RN-to-BSN and a campus-based ADN. The BSN can be completed in three semesters asynchronously, while the ADN provides a gateway to licensure with transfer agreements to four-year universities. Both programs emphasize small class sizes and dedicated faculty.
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Comparing tuition and net price reveals significant cost differences between public and private nursing schools in the Cincinnati area. Public institutions offer lower in-state tuition but charge a premium for out-of-state students, while private colleges set one tuition rate for all. Note that the average net price shown here is the institution-wide amount paid by full-time undergraduates after grants and scholarships; it is not a BSN-specific figure.
| School | Type | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Average Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Central State College | Public | $5,786 | $11,374 | $4,687 |
| Sinclair Community College | Public | $4,809 | $8,556 | $5,992 |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Private | $27,600 | $27,600 | $10,420 |
| Ursuline College | Private | $38,990 | $38,990 | $16,164 |
| University of Toledo | Public | $12,157 | $21,517 | $17,249 |
| Ohio State University | Public | $13,244 | $40,022 | $17,339 |
Since the Next Generation NCLEX launched in April 2023, first-time pass rates have become an even sharper lens on how well nursing programs prepare graduates for the updated exam. For nursing students in Cincinnati, this metric is especially telling: it reflects both the depth of clinical training and the alignment of classroom content with today's licensure expectations.
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates signal how effectively a program builds the critical thinking and clinical judgment skills tested on the exam. Consistently strong rates suggest a curriculum tuned to current standards, robust faculty support, and rigorous assessment practices. For students, this translates directly to licensure readiness: a low pass rate can delay entry into practice and add retesting costs.
Nationally, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for U.S.-educated candidates averaged 88.6% in 2023, according to the NCSBN.1 As a group, nursing programs in Ohio surpassed that mark, with a 2024 state average of 89.55% reported by the Ohio Board of Nursing.2 These figures give useful context when evaluating individual schools: a program performing above the state average is typically delivering strong preparation.
Most Cincinnati-area BSN programs post their annual NCLEX pass rates publicly, and the Ohio Board of Nursing publishes program-level results each calendar year. Prospective students should review two to three years of data to spot trends: a single down year may be an anomaly, but a sustained slide warrants closer questions. For Northern Kentucky University, pass rates are available through the Kentucky Board of Nursing. When comparing, look beyond the headline number: programs that openly share their rates and improvement plans often demonstrate a deeper commitment to student success.
Xavier University’s Accelerated BSN compresses nursing preparation into 20 months for career changers already holding a bachelor’s degree. Cincinnati students choose among three primary pathways, each tailored to different starting points and career goals.
The conventional prelicensure BSN is designed for first-time college students and immerses you in campus life. You complete approximately 120 credits over four years, blending general education with nursing coursework and progressive clinical rotations. This path is ideal if you are entering nursing directly from high school and value a paced, in-depth learning experience. Most major universities in the region, including the University of Cincinnati, Mount St. Joseph University, and Northern Kentucky University, offer a traditional BSN.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, an ABSN lets you leverage your existing credits and focus solely on nursing training. These programs demand full-time, intense study and produce an RN in well under two years. In the Cincinnati area:
A related option is the University of Cincinnati’s Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN, which grants both RN licensure and a graduate degree for second-degree seekers.
Specifically for currently licensed RNs with an associate degree or nursing diploma, these programs deliver a bachelor’s credential with minimal disruption to your work schedule. Most are entirely online. Cincinnati-area offerings include:
This track is optimal if you are already working as a nurse and need maximum flexibility to complete your BSN.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses in 2024, grounding salary expectations. Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science, located in Cincinnati, shows a strong earnings-to-debt ratio for its BSN completion program.
A meaningful nursing school ranking should balance affordability with real-world career outcomes, especially in a competitive healthcare market like Cincinnati.
The methodology uses four key metrics: net price (average cost after aid), graduation rate, median debt of graduates, and median earnings of former students one year after leaving the institution. These combine into an ROI ratio that rewards programs where earnings quickly outpace debt.
Note that graduation rates and net price reflect the entire institution, not just the BSN program. Employment and debt data come from program-level reporting when available.
The geographic scope includes public and private not-for-profit schools within a 75-mile radius of downtown Cincinnati. If fewer than three programs appeared initially, the radius was expanded to ensure a representative snapshot.
NCLEX-RN pass rates, while critical for licensure preparation, are not factored into the ranking formula. They are displayed alongside each school's profile so readers can assess clinical readiness independently.
Find quick answers to the most common questions about nursing education in Cincinnati. Below, we address top concerns from prospective students, drawing on the latest data and program details covered in this guide.
