Compare costs, NCLEX outcomes, and program formats for BSN programs in the Beachwood–Cleveland area.
Which nursing schools near Beachwood give you a realistic shot at Cleveland’s magnet-hospital residencies? Over 37,000 RNs work in the Cleveland-Elyria metro, and BSN-preferred hiring is now standard at Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth.
Beachwood’s location along I-271 puts accredited programs within a 30- to 75-minute drive. The mix includes direct-admit BSNs, RN-to-BSN bridges, and accelerated second-degree tracks; many blend online coursework with local clinical rotations to reduce commute time.
As these health systems expand residency cohorts, the BSN pay premium in the region often recovers tuition within a few years, keeping enrollment in local programs competitive.
Because Beachwood itself hosts few on-site BSN programs, we expanded the search to schools within a 75-mile radius and beyond when necessary, capturing options across Northeast and Central Ohio. The list below includes both public and private institutions, with net price, institution-wide graduation rates, and program formats noted for each.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | $41,000/yr | Cleveland health system placements | |
Located in Cleveland's University Circle, just minutes from Beachwood, Case Western Reserve University offers a BSN program with direct admission and clinical placements starting in the first semester. Students benefit from over 1,000 clinical hours and partnerships with major Cleveland health systems, including University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic, which operate facilities near Beachwood. The program emphasizes interprofessional teamwork and research, with a strong track record of graduate earnings. Institution-wide, CWRU reports an 87% graduation rate.
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| #2 | Ohio Institute of Allied Health | Huber Heights, OH | $47,000/yr | LPNs earning ADN in 52 weeks | |
Based in Huber Heights, Ohio Institute of Allied Health provides an Associate Degree Nursing program designed for LPNs and transfer students to earn their ADN in just 52 weeks. The accelerated, campus-based program emphasizes advanced skills and patient advocacy, preparing graduates for hospital settings. The institution reports a 100% graduation rate (institution-wide) and a net price of $47,034 for all students, with median graduate debt of $9,500.
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| #3 | Ohio Medical Career College | Dayton, OH | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | First-year LPN, second-year RN | |
Ohio Medical Career College in Dayton offers a flexible One Plus One Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program. After the first 40 weeks, students can sit for the NCLEX-PN; the full 90-week program qualifies them for the NCLEX-RN. LPNs may also transfer credits into the RN track. The institution-wide graduation rate is 79% and net price is $16,456 for private for-profit students.
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| #4 | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | $17,000/yr (net price) | ||
Ohio State University's highly ranked BSN program, located in Columbus, provides multiple entry pathways and a comprehensive evidence-based curriculum designed to prepare innovative healthcare leaders. As a public university, Ohio residents pay in-state tuition (net price $17,339 for public students), and the institution boasts an 88% graduation rate. Graduates benefit from median 10-year earnings of $60,409.
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| #5 | ETI Technical College | Niles, OH | $14,000/yr | ||
ETI Technical College in Niles, OH, offers a five-semester ADN program with daytime classes and clinicals, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN. The college serves a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients (91%) and reports a 63% institution-wide graduation rate. Net price is $13,665, and median graduate debt is $13,805.
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| #6 | Miami University | Oxford, OH | $18,000 – $41,000/yr | ||
Miami University's BSN program, offered at its Oxford and regional campuses, combines liberal arts with professional nursing to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN. Clinical placements are primarily in Southwest Ohio, though the program admits students statewide. The public university's net price is $28,384 and it has an 80% institutional graduation rate.
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| #7 | Ohio Northern University | Ada, OH | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Ohio Northern University, a private institution in Ada, offers a BSN with direct admission, 810 clinical hours, and advanced simulation technology. The program posts a 92.7% NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement within six months. Net price is $24,478 and median graduate debt is $27,000.
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| #8 | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH | $30,000/yr | ||
University of Dayton's nursing program is a dual-degree partnership with Sinclair Community College, allowing students to earn an ASN and BSN in four years. The curriculum blends liberal arts with evidence-based practice, with clinical experiences in Dayton-area hospitals. Net price is $29,533 and median earnings 10 years out are $75,537.
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| #9 | University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $26,000/yr | ||
University of Cincinnati's BSN features direct admission and clinical rotations at top facilities, including a Level I Trauma Center and a leading pediatric hospital. As a public institution, the net price for in-state students is $25,648. The university reports a 75% graduation rate and median graduate earnings of $54,810.
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| #10 | Mercy College of Ohio | Toledo, OH | $18,000/yr (net price) | ||
Mercy College of Ohio in Toledo provides a BSN prelicensure program with flexible start dates and paid clinical hours in the final semester. The college is affiliated with Mercy Health, a system with facilities in Northeast Ohio. Net price is $17,989 and median graduate earnings are $65,409.
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Three primary metrics shape our rankings for nursing schools near Beachwood, part of our broader best nursing schools in Ohio rankings: net price, graduation rate, and program-level outcomes from the College Scorecard. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships, it is not a guarantee for every student. Graduation rates reflect the entire institution, not just nursing, so they serve as a broader indicator of student success. Program-level earnings and employment data, pulled from the College Scorecard, are factored in when available.
Only programs with CCNE or ACEN accreditation are included; accreditation acts as a baseline filter rather than a ranking weight. This approach balances affordability, student outcomes, and real-world earnings to surface schools that offer solid value.
Nursing programs with consistently high first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates produce graduates who are ready to enter practice immediately. For anyone considering a BSN near Beachwood, these numbers offer a transparent, outcome-focused way to compare schools.
The Ohio Board of Nursing publishes an annual report on nursing education program outcomes, including first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved prelicensure BSN program in the state. The most recent report reflects 2024 testing data, letting you compare outcomes for Cleveland State University, Ursuline College, Kent State University, the University of Akron, and other regional programs. Many nursing departments also post their pass rates on their own websites, typically under accreditation, student outcomes, or program effectiveness sections.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for all nursing program types was 91.16 percent in 2024. Ohio’s first-time pass rate averaged 89.55 percent the same year, trailing the national average slightly.1 Individual BSN programs in the Cleveland area often exceed both figures; a school with a first-time pass rate consistently above 90 percent is generally considered strong. When evaluating any program, always prioritize first-time pass rates over cumulative pass rates, as they more clearly reflect how well the program prepares students on their initial attempt.
Accelerated nursing programs continue to reshape career-change pathways into the profession. For those in the Beachwood area, a few targeted steps can surface ABSN, second-degree, and RN-to-BSN options without sifting through generic directories.
The board's website maintains a current list of approved pre-licensure and completion programs. Note which schools offer accelerated formats, then visit their admissions pages directly for prerequisites, cohort calendars, and application windows. Most accelerated BSN tracks require a prior bachelor's degree and cover roughly 12 to 18 months of full-time study.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' 'Find a School' tool lets you search for nursing programs near Beachwood, OH and filter by accelerated or second-degree options. Review program lengths and prerequisite coursework side by side; some listings also link to NCLEX performance data.
Admissions offices at Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals can confirm which nursing programs regularly place students in their facilities. Clinical access varies, and a program's primary teaching hospital often determines the mix of acute care, community health, and specialty rotations you will experience.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing maintains a searchable directory of accelerated baccalaureate programs, while the Ohio Nurses Association can point to regional second-degree and bridge options. Both resources help validate what the individual schools claim.
Nursing school represents a substantial financial commitment, but the long-term earnings in the Cleveland metro area often justify the investment. Within a 75-mile radius of Beachwood, two BSN programs, one public and one private, illustrate the range of costs students can expect.
The average net price after grants and scholarships reveals a sharp contrast. At public North Central State College, the effective net price for an in-state student sits at $4,687 per year, compared to $16,164 at private Ursuline College. Sticker prices differ even more dramatically: in-state tuition and fees at North Central State College are $4,624, while Ursuline’s tuition is $38,990 before aid. The private institution’s higher list price is offset by substantial institutional aid, but the final out-of-pocket difference remains significant.
Median federal student loan debt among graduates echoes the pattern: - Public (North Central State College): $8,252 - Private (Ursuline College): $26,250
Assuming a standard 10-year repayment plan at a common interest rate, estimated monthly payments would run about $90 for the public-program graduate and roughly $280 for the private. Both figures are manageable relative to nursing salaries in the region.
While program-specific salary data is not yet available, the broader profession provides strong context. The mean annual wage for registered nurses in the Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor metropolitan area is $89,840, which is well above the national median of $75,330. Even at the lower end of the national wage distribution (10th percentile: $53,410), typical debt levels remain modest. A public-school graduate could cover the entire debt balance with a few months of salary, while a private-school graduate would need less than a year’s earnings on the standard payment schedule. These numbers make nursing programs near Beachwood a high-ROI educational path.
With over 750 clinical partners, Kent State University’s nursing program illustrates the depth of healthcare connections available to students near Beachwood. Choosing the right school means balancing accreditation, clinical opportunities, and flexibility.
Without CCNE or ACEN accreditation, your degree may not qualify you for licensure in Ohio. Every program you consider should hold one of these recognized stamps. Employers in the Cleveland area also expect it.
Access to major health systems like Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth can define your pre-licensure experience. Most strong programs in the region leverage multiple sites:
Some programs, including the Arizona College of Nursing campus in Beachwood itself, do not publicly list clinical partners. If you cannot review placement sites, ask directly before enrolling. A robust clinical network impacts your range of exposure and future job prospects.
If you need to work while in school, look for evening, weekend, or hybrid formats. Accelerated programs like Baldwin Wallace’s condense timelines but often require full-time commitment. Confirm whether the schedule aligns with your life before you commit.
Finding the right nursing program involves weighing factors like cost, accreditation, and NCLEX preparation. Below we answer common questions to help you evaluate schools near Beachwood, Ohio.
