Nursing Schools in Ohio

Top RN Programs in Ohio

This year, we've compiled a list of top nursing schools in the state by examining NCLEX-RN pass rates from the last three years. Our analysis focused on schools with consistent graduate numbers and a minimum average pass rate of 80%. By looking at these rates, you can see which schools effectively prepare their students for the licensure exam and beyond. For a detailed breakdown of how we determined these rankings, visit our ranking methodology page.
Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
98.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
95.7%

Available Programs


Washington State Community College (WSCC) is located in Marietta, Ohio. WSCC was established in 1971 and it now serves more than 1600 students. It offers students smaller class sizes and a more intimate educational opportunity that can lead to greater success. Students at WSCC will be able to earn associate’s degrees or certificates in more than 50 different areas of study. The school also has several transfer opportunities to larger four-year universities. WSCC has been fully accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.

The WSCC nursing program is going to offer students the practical nursing path or the associate’s degree in nursing path. Admission to the nursing programs at this school is selective and is based on overall qualifications. The practical nursing program at WSCC has been approved by the Ohio State Board of Nursing. The associate’s degree in nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both programs are designed to give students the best possible educational experience so that they can go on to pass their respective NCLEX licensure exams.

Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
95.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Small
College Type
Less than 2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
94.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
96.3%

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
94.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
93.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
94.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
92.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Baldwin Wallace University (BW) is a private institution in Berea, Ohio. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Over 3,400 undergraduate students enrolled in the 2018 school year. BW was established in 1845 by Methodist settlers and became a university in 2012. Along with the main campus in Berea, the university operates a second campus in Warrensville Heights. Berea is a suburb of Cleveland and provides students with access to a major city while studying in a small suburb. The university currently offers over 80 majors, including one nursing major. These degree programs are managed through 27 different academic departments. 

Baldwin Wallace University currently offers an accelerated BSN program for students who already have a Bachelor’s degree with a non-nursing major. This program was accredited by the CCNE in 2014. It is also approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN). The program is designed to be completed in just 15 months and includes a combination of classroom learning and clinical rotations. The clinical rotations are completed at the nearby Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights Ohio. The program requires students to complete prerequisite coursework before enrolling, which includes Human Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology. The most recent graduating class had a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
92.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Large
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
92.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
92.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
90.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
90.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
91.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Capital University is a private institution in Bexley, Ohio, which is a suburb of Columbus. It was established in 1830 as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio. It is the oldest university in the central Ohio area and one of the oldest Lutheran-affiliated universities in the country. The university offers over 60 majors, including several nursing majors. The campus includes several academic buildings and over 70 student organizations. The academic buildings include a few properties that are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus area is now referred to as the Capital University Historic District.

The university offers four nursing programs – traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, and MSN. All four programs are accredited by the CCNE. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field may enroll in the accelerated BSN program. This program can be completed in 20 months, with a traditional daytime schedule. They also offer a hybrid track that is designed to be completed in 24 months and includes evening classes. Students who are enrolled in the traditional BSN program get to receive hands-on experience at local healthcare clinics and hospitals. In fact, the school has partnerships with over 20 hospitals and 80 community health organizations.

Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
90.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
89.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
96.7%

Lorain County Community College (LCCC) is located in Elyria, Ohio. LCCC was established back in 1963 and it now has more than 11,000 students. The school has even been recognized for its commitment to providing the best possible academic experience to students. In 2018, LCCC was recognized as the 2018 recipient of the AACC Award of Excellence in Student Success. Currently, LCCC offers a wide range of associate’s degree and certificate programs. With so many areas of study being available to students, it has become well known as an optimal place to receive education or career training.

The LCCC nursing program offers students a practical nursing program or an associate’s degree in nursing program. Both nursing programs are very thorough and will provide nursing students with the skills that they need to succeed. The nursing curriculum involves classroom time, laboratory experiences, and clinical work at various off-site healthcare facilities. Students will be prepared for their professional lives as nurses in a variety of medical settings. Both nursing programs are approved by the Ohio State Board of Nursing and are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Student Population
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
89.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A
Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
89.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Large
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
89.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
96.0%

Columbus State Community College (CSCC) is located in Columbus, Ohio. CSCC was established in 1963 and it currently has more than 27,000 students. CSCC offers students various career programs in over 50 areas of business. Students can earn associate’s degrees in many focuses and will also have several certificate options to consider. There are many transfer possibilities at CSCC as well, making it simple to continue a college education at four-year universities.

The CSCC nursing program has two main nursing programs for prospective nursing students to consider. The LPN program awards certificates to graduates and registered nurses will receive associate’s degrees upon graduation. There is an advanced standing program as well for current LPNs, paramedics, and military medics. This allows those who qualify to receive advanced placement in the RN program. There are also two options when it comes to the registered nursing curriculum. There is the traditional path and a blended path that allows for some online coursework. The nursing program at CSCC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
89.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Sinclair Community College (SCC) is located in Dayton, Ohio. This school was established all the way back in 1887. It was an adult training school when it originally formed and did not become known as a college until 1948. SCC now serves more than 18,000 students, making it a very large and important school in the community. There are more than 220 associate’s degree and certificate programs at this school. There are even many specialized career training options at SCC with some being in high-demand technical areas of study. Students at SCC will be able to find the right academic path to realize their dreams.

Students can earn associate’s of applied science in nursing degrees at SCC. There are also advanced placement options for current licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who are qualified. This program teaches nursing students to meet the health needs of patients in many diverse medical settings. There are a variety of different classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences as part of the curriculum. This school will have transfer options to four-year universities as well, allowing nursing students to continue on at another school in the pursuit of bachelor’s degrees. The associate’s degree nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the Ohio State Board of Nursing.

Ohio's NCLEX-RN pass rate Vs. National Average

Ohio's NCLEX-PN pass rate Vs. National Average