Compare costs, outcomes, and program options for BSN degrees within driving distance of Independence.
Across Greater Cleveland, hospitals are steadily raising the bar for new RN hires, with many units now preferring or requiring a BSN within two years of licensure. That makes proximity to quality BSN programs a real advantage for Independence residents, who sit just minutes from multiple CCNE-accredited schools and the clinical powerhouses of the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.
The 2026 rankings that follow account for net price, graduation rates, and graduate outcomes to surface schools that balance affordability with strong NCLEX preparation. Detailed cost comparisons and NCLEX pass rates for each ranked program provide a clearer picture of value.
For Independence-area students, the choice increasingly hinges on which program provides the most meaningful clinical exposure in the region’s top-tier hospitals, not just a degree.
Our ranking brings together accredited nursing programs within a 75‑mile drive of Independence to help you find the right fit. Each school combines strong NCLEX preparation with clinical experiences in Northeast Ohio’s top hospitals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | $41,000/yr | Students seeking premier hospital immersion | |
Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing offers a direct‑admit BSN that weaves clinical placements into every term. Students log more than 1,000 clinical hours at Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth, while interprofessional coursework with medical and dental schools builds collaborative skills.
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| #2 | Kent State University | Kent, OH | ~$21,000/yr (est.) | Multiple pathways into nursing | |
Kent State University’s BSN program stands out for its four distinct entry paths, traditional, accelerated, LPN/Allied Health bridge, and foundational entry, so students can match their background. Clinical rotations span major Northeast Ohio hospitals, while a capstone preceptorship eases the transition to practice.
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| #3 | Baldwin Wallace University | Berea, OH | $28,000/yr | Career changers needing a fast track | |
Baldwin Wallace University offers both a traditional BSN and an accelerated 15‑month second‑degree option. The accelerated track boasts a 100% first‑time NCLEX pass rate and 700 clinical hours with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, while the traditional program provides consistent advising and a concept‑based curriculum.
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| #4 | Ursuline College | Pepper Pike, OH | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Ursuline College’s BSN combines a values‑centered, holistic curriculum with a high‑tech skills lab on its Pepper Pike campus. The CCNE‑accredited program reports a 100% employment rate for graduates and strong NCLEX performance, supported by intimate class sizes and active student organizations.
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| #5 | ETI Technical College | Niles, OH | $14,000/yr | ||
ETI Technical College’s AAS in nursing is a focused 80‑week program that emphasizes hands‑on clinical training in Northeast Ohio facilities. Daytime classes and three annual start dates make scheduling predictable, and the curriculum includes 390 clinical hours plus a required HESI exit exam.
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| #6 | Ashland University | Ashland, OH | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Ashland University’s direct‑entry BSN launches nursing courses freshman year, with clinical rotations starting sophomore year. A 1:8 instructor‑to‑student ratio in clinicals, a state‑of‑the‑art simulation center, and a 93% NCLEX pass rate underscore the program’s quality. Graduates frequently secure positions at Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth.
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| #7 | Cleveland State University | Cleveland, OH | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
Cleveland State University’s School of Nursing offers a community‑focused BSN with both daytime and evening/weekend cohorts, accommodating varied schedules. The three‑year nursing core emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and evidence‑based practice, with clinical experiences distributed across Cleveland’s diverse neighborhoods.
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| #8 | Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Canton, OH | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers an associate degree that leverages clinical placements at Aultman Health System, Stark County’s largest healthcare provider. Small class sizes and a clear bridge to Aultman’s RN‑to‑BSN program give students both support and a seamless path to a bachelor’s.
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| #9 | North Central State College | Mansfield, OH | $5,000/yr (net price) | ||
North Central State College provides an RN‑to‑BSN completion program delivered in a hybrid format, with online coursework and one clinical rotation. For pre‑licensure students, the college also runs a traditional ADN program with a strong 92.8% licensure pass rate and LPN‑to‑RN articulation.
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| #10 | Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing | Sandusky, OH | |||
Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing’s diploma program partners with Bowling Green State University so students earn an RN diploma and a non‑nursing associate degree concurrently. The hospital‑based model guarantees clinical placements without waitlists and reports a 100% first‑attempt NCLEX pass rate.
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BSN costs can vary dramatically by institution type and available aid. The table below lists in-state tuition, average net price after grants and scholarships, and median federal debt for graduates of BSN programs near Independence, Ohio. Net price figures represent the average for all undergraduates, so nursing-specific costs may be higher or lower depending on program fees and financial aid eligibility.
| School | Type | In-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Central State College | Public | $5,786 | $4,687 | $8,252 |
| Sinclair Community College | Public | $4,809 | $5,992 | $12,000 |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Private | $27,600 | $10,420 | $22,082 |
| Ursuline College | Private | $38,990 | $16,164 | $26,250 |
| University of Toledo | Public | $12,157 | $17,249 | $22,250 |
| Ohio State University | Public | $13,244 | $17,339 | $19,976 |
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing exam every aspiring registered nurse must pass to practice. For students choosing a BSN program near Independence, OH, first-time pass rates offer a concrete signal of how well a school prepares its graduates for entry-to-practice.
In 2025, data from the Ohio Board of Nursing shows notable variation among Cleveland-area BSN programs1: - Ursuline College: 92.06% of first-time test-takers passed, topping the state average.1 - University of Akron: 79.73% pass rate.1 - Kent State University: 77.78% pass rate.1 - Cleveland State University: 68.24% pass rate.1 Hiram College did not have a separately approved prelicensure RN program in 2025, so no NCLEX data is reported for that school.1
Nationally, 86.71% of first-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN in 2025, with Ohio's rate at 84.04% and its 95% confidence benchmark at 82.37%.1 Only Ursuline cleared the national average among Ohio nursing programs; Akron and Kent State fell below the Ohio benchmark, while Cleveland State's rate was substantially lower. Programs consistently underperforming the benchmark may prompt additional research into their curriculum, clinical hours, and student support.
Beyond licensure, earning power and job placement matter. At present, program-level earnings and employment rates from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard are not published for these specific BSN programs. While broad Ohio RN salary data is explored later in this guide, connecting directly with each school's career services office can provide the most current graduate placement statistics.
The quality of a nursing education often hinges on the breadth and depth of clinical rotations, yet not all programs offer equal access to top-tier hospitals. The hands-on hours you log directly shape your clinical judgment and can open doors to your first job.
Three health systems anchor clinical training for BSN students near Independence: Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, and University Hospitals. Kent State University College of Nursing, for example, partners with all three and draws on more than 750 clinical sites across the region.1 Cleveland State2 and Case Western Reserve3 also hold strong ties to Cleveland Clinic. Key campuses such as Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital, Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, and UH Parma Medical Center sit within a few miles of Independence1, while the Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center further supports local training through a 2025 nurse educator initiative4.
Placements at Magnet-designated hospitals and Level I trauma centers expose students to high-acuity care and evidence-based protocols. Rotating through diverse specialties such as medical-surgical, intensive care, emergency, and pediatrics builds versatility. Many graduates receive job offers from the same units where they trained, turning clinical rotations into a hiring pipeline.
Independence’s central location puts multiple elite facilities within a 20-minute drive. This short commute reduces logistical stress and allows students to accept placements at both community hospitals and quaternary referral centers without relocating.
Clinical slots are not unlimited. Larger programs may face more competition for preferred sites, while smaller cohorts can offer greater flexibility. Ask about each program’s clinical placement process, guarantee policies, and how frequently sites are reassigned.
Getting into a nursing program near Independence involves more than just meeting basic college requirements, nursing admissions are frequently more selective than the university-wide numbers suggest. Even at schools with moderately open doors, the pre-licensure BSN track often has its own GPA cutoffs, prerequisite hurdles, and seat limits that make the process competitive.
A university’s published acceptance rate can be misleading for aspiring nurses. For instance, Case Western Reserve’s overall admit rate sits at about 37%, but the BSN program draws high-caliber applicants and may be even more rigorous. Where a school publishes nursing-specific admissions criteria, like Cleveland State’s 2.5 cumulative GPA minimum and a 3.0 prerequisite GPA, those numbers represent a floor, not a guarantee. Many programs receive far more qualified applicants than they can accommodate, so strong grades in science prerequisites and a compelling application are essential.
Most BSN programs around Independence require a set of college-level science courses completed with a minimum grade (often a C+ or B). Typical prerequisites include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and chemistry. GPA thresholds vary: Cleveland State’s BSN expects a 2.5 cumulative and a 3.0 in prerequisites, while Baldwin Wallace’s accelerated ABSN asks for a 2.8 cumulative and a 3.0 in prerequisite courses. Some schools also mandate a standardized entrance exam like the TEAS or HESI, although Cleveland State has dropped this requirement, others in the region may still rely on these tests to rank candidates. Always verify with each program’s nursing department because policies change.
Balancing a job or family with nursing school can be daunting, but a handful of local programs offer designs that align with a busy life. Cleveland State runs evening classes and weekend clinical rotations, making it a popular choice for Independence-area students who work during the day. For those ready to commit full-time, Baldwin Wallace’s 15-month Accelerated BSN is built for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and can dedicate themselves to an intensive, fast-track schedule. Other institutions may provide hybrid online coursework or part-time progression, though options closer to Independence should be confirmed directly with admissions offices.
Students who already have a foot in nursing, whether through an ADN or an LPN license, can often find bridge pathways that shorten the time to a BSN. The Cleveland metro is home to several community colleges that offer ADN programs, and universities like Kent State or Ursuline (both within commuting distance of Independence) maintain RN-to-BSN tracks that accept transfer credits generously. Second-degree seekers should look at Baldwin Wallace’s ABSN, which explicitly requires a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Transfer policies differ widely, so meeting with an advisor early to map out which credits will carry over is a strategic move.
Registered nurse pay in the Cleveland metro area largely tracks Ohio's statewide figures. While location and experience shift earnings, the gap between Ohio and the nation is stark. This snapshot uses the latest BLS data to show what new and experienced nurses can expect.
Looking for quick answers? These FAQs distill key points from the ratings, cost comparisons, and career data in the full article. For deeper analysis, scroll to the sections referenced in each answer.
