Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program formats at Columbus-area nursing schools to find your best fit.
Columbus has become a major healthcare hub, with hospital systems like OhioHealth and Mount Carmel now requiring or preferring BSN-prepared nurses. Nursing programs in the city include public universities, community colleges, and private institutions, offering online, accelerated, and traditional campus-based BSN degrees. Tuition ranges from under $5,000 to over $40,000 annually, and NCLEX pass rates and accreditation status vary significantly. Earnings for new graduates in the Columbus metro reflect strong demand, but program-level outcomes differ depending on degree type and clinical placement quality.
Our 2026 rankings identify the top nursing schools in Columbus, Ohio, based on factors like affordability, student success, and program design. From public universities to private colleges offering associate and bachelor's degrees, these schools provide flexible pathways into nursing. Compare net prices, graduation rates, and standout features to find the best fit for your goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | $17,000/yr (net price) | Nationally ranked public BSN for future leaders | |
Ohio State University in Columbus delivers one of the nation's top-ranked BSN programs on campus. The curriculum requires 122 credit hours and offers multiple admission pathways leading to NCLEX-RN eligibility. Institution-wide, the university reports an 87.7% graduation rate and a net price around $17,339, making it a strong value for in-state students.
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| #2 | Ohio Institute of Allied Health | Huber Heights, OH | $47,000/yr | Working LPNs needing a one-year ADN | |
Ohio Institute of Allied Health in Huber Heights offers an accelerated Associate Degree in Nursing designed for LPNs and transfer students. The 52-week campus program packs 64 credits into fast-paced training, with multiple start dates each year. Institution-wide data shows a 100% graduation rate and a net price of $47,034; median graduate debt is just $9,500.
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| #3 | Ohio Medical Career College | Dayton, OH | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Adults wanting flexible day or evening classes | |
Ohio Medical Career College in Dayton provides a flexible One Plus One Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Students can sit for the NCLEX-PN after 40 weeks or continue to complete the full 90-week program for RN eligibility. Day and evening classes accommodate working adults, and the institution reports a graduation rate of 79.1% across all programs.
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| #4 | ETI Technical College | Niles, OH | $14,000/yr | ||
ETI Technical College in Niles offers a five-semester Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing with three admission points each year. Daytime classes and clinicals prepare students for the NCLEX-RN, and the college boasts a 94% retention rate and a low 8:1 student-faculty ratio. Institution-wide graduation rate is 62.5% and net price averages $13,665.
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| #5 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | $41,000/yr | ||
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland offers a direct-admission BSN program that starts nursing courses and clinical placements in the first semester. With over 1,000 clinical hours and interprofessional teamwork, the program emphasizes hands-on learning. The university has an institution-wide graduation rate of 87.2%, a net price of $41,190, and strong post-graduation earnings potential.
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| #6 | Miami University | Oxford, OH | $18,000 – $41,000/yr | ||
Miami University's BSN combines liberal arts and professional nursing across two Ohio campus locations. Extensive clinical experiences in Cincinnati and Dayton and preparation for the NCLEX-RN are key features. The public university reports an institution-wide graduation rate of 79.8% and a net price around $28,384.
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| #7 | Ohio Northern University | Ada, OH | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Ohio Northern University in Ada provides a direct-admission BSN with 810 clinical hours and advanced simulation technology. The program boasts a 92.7% NCLEX pass rate and reports a 100% job placement within six months. The institution-wide graduation rate is 75.5% and net price is $24,478.
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| #8 | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH | $30,000/yr | ||
The University of Dayton's nursing program is a dual-degree model in partnership with Sinclair Community College, allowing students to earn both an ASN and BSN in four years. Campus-based clinicals at Dayton-area hospitals and a focus on whole-person education distinguish the curriculum. Institution-wide, the private university has an 80.2% graduation rate and a net price of roughly $29,533.
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| #9 | University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | $26,000/yr | ||
The University of Cincinnati offers a direct-admission BSN and an accelerated Direct-Entry MSN, both on campus on Ohio's medical campus. Students benefit from clinicals at a Level I trauma center and a top pediatric hospital. The public institution reports a graduation rate of 75% across all programs and a net price of $25,648.
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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 and an evening/weekend ADN, both with flexible start terms. The BSN includes paid clinical hours in the final semester and a direct-admit option. The institution's overall graduation rate is 55.8%, and the net price is $17,989.
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Some rankings rely on reputation surveys or subjective scores; ours are built on publicly verifiable data points. The list you see here reflects a blend of hard numbers that matter to nursing students: net price after aid, the percentage of all undergraduates who graduate, and measurable program outcomes including median earnings and debt levels. We also reward programs that offer flexible formats: on-campus, hybrid, or online, because nurses juggle clinical rotations, jobs, and family responsibilities.
Our model factors in net price so you can compare real out-of-pocket costs, not just sticker prices. Graduation rate serves as a proxy for student support and overall institutional health; while it covers the entire college, not just the nursing department, schools that reliably graduate students tend to invest in advising, resources, and faculty, all of which benefit nursing majors. Earnings data comes directly from College Scorecard, which reports the median earnings of federal financial aid recipients one year after graduation. For BSN programs, this gives a concrete picture of what recent Columbus graduates actually earn, rather than relying on data from all nursing programs in Ohio or national occupational averages. Debt levels help gauge whether students are borrowing sustainably relative to starting salaries.
Most college rankings keep their formula hidden, leaving you to wonder whether marketing budgets or prestige influenced the results. By explaining exactly which metrics we use and where they come from, you can verify the data yourself. This transparency is a trust signal: it shows we are confident in what the numbers reveal and that you should be too.
Comparing costs is crucial when choosing a nursing program. The table below ranks Columbus-area BSN programs by estimated net price, which reflects the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships. As shown, public community colleges like North Central State and Sinclair offer the lowest in-state tuition, while private institutions often have higher sticker prices but may provide generous aid packages that significantly reduce the final cost. Keep in mind that net price is an institution-wide average; your individual expenses will depend on your financial situation and aid eligibility.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Average Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central State College | $5,786 | $11,374 | $4,687 |
| Sinclair Community College | $4,809 | $8,556 | $5,992 |
| Central Ohio Technical College | $5,256 | $8,016 | $9,948 |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing | $27,600 | $27,600 | $10,420 |
| Northwest State Community College | $4,698 | $9,170 | $13,555 |
| ETI Technical College | $11,060 | $11,060 | $13,665 |
| Ursuline College | $38,990 | $38,990 | $16,164 |
| Ohio Medical Career College | N/A | N/A | $16,456 |
| University of Toledo | $12,157 | $21,517 | $17,249 |
| Ohio State University | $13,244 | $40,022 | $17,339 |
What’s the difference between CCNE and ACEN accreditation, and why does it matter for your nursing license?
To sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn a nursing license, you must graduate from a program approved by your state board of nursing. Most boards require that the program also hold national accreditation from either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both agencies ensure programs meet rigorous standards for faculty, curriculum, and clinical experiences. Employers and graduate schools alike recognize either accreditor, so a school’s accreditation status is a non-negotiable filter when you build your list.
In Columbus, the majority of BSN programs hold CCNE accreditation: Ohio State University, Capital University, and Otterbein University all list CCNE-accredited BSN programs. Franklin University offers an RN-to-BSN track that is fully online and fully accredited, but it is designed for nurses who already hold an associate degree or diploma, and there is no prelicensure BSN option at Franklin.2
NCLEX first-time pass rates tell you how well a program prepares students for the licensure exam. Nationally, the first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN stood at 86.8% in early 2026.1 Ohio’s overall rate across all programs hovers around 83-84% (2025 data), with individual program rates varying from about 76% up to 90%.2 The Ohio Board of Nursing publishes quarterly pass-rate reports for every approved prelicensure program1, so you can look up the latest figures for Columbus schools directly.
Although program-level rates shift from year to year, a sustained pattern above the state and national averages signals solid curriculum and clinical preparation. When comparing schools, check several quarters rather than a single snapshot.
Accreditation can change, and programs may lose or gain approval. Before applying, visit the CCNE and ACEN directories directly (or the school’s nursing department page) to confirm current status. The Ohio Board of Nursing also maintains a list of approved prelicensure programs; that list, combined with the NCLEX pass-rate reports, gives you concrete data to guide your decision.
Most prelicensure BSN programs in Columbus follow a traditional on-campus schedule. Ohio State University's standard BSN and its accelerated track are delivered in-person with full-time daytime classes and clinical rotations.
Career changers with a non-nursing bachelor's degree can enroll in accelerated programs that pack nursing coursework into a shorter timeline. Ohio State's 18-month ABSN starts each summer and runs five consecutive semesters. Capital University offers a 20-month accelerated nursing program with a choice of daytime or online/hybrid delivery. Mount Carmel College of Nursing has two second-degree accelerated tracks: a 13-month program (blended and fully online) and an 18-month program that blends online learning with evening and weekend in-person sessions.
Fully online BSN programs in Columbus are typically limited to post-licensure or completion tracks, not prelicensure. Mount Carmel's accelerated programs include fully online academic coursework, though clinical placements still require in-person attendance at local sites. When enrolling in an online program, students usually must arrange their own clinical placements at approved facilities near their home.
For students who need to work or manage other responsibilities, Mount Carmel's 18-month accelerated track schedules the majority of in-person classes, labs, and clinical experiences during evenings and weekends. Part-time study is less common among prelicensure BSN programs, but some schools may offer flexible pacing on a case-by-case basis.
Local wage data for Columbus-area registered nurses from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is based on May 2020 figures, which may not reflect current market conditions. Nationally, the median annual wage for RNs provides a useful reference.
Prospective nursing students in Columbus often have similar questions about program quality, cost, and format. Below, we answer the most common inquiries to help you navigate your options.
Expand your search across Ohio with these accredited programs in the Columbus metro, southwest, northeast, and beyond. Visit the Ohio nursing schools page for the full statewide directory.
