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Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Ohio

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Ohio University's regional campuses dominate the most affordable nursing education in Ohio, with five campuses offering net prices below $6,500 annually. The Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville leads at just $4,503 net cost, though graduation rates across these satellite locations remain concerning at 20% or lower. This creates an interesting trade-off for nursing students considering their options. Meanwhile, Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus commands the highest graduation rate at 70.9% while maintaining a competitive $12,939 net price. The school's proximity to major healthcare systems like Ohio State Wexner Medical Center provides direct pathways into clinical practice. Ohio's healthcare sector employs over 660,000 workers, with the Cleveland Clinic alone hiring thousands of nurses annually. Regional campuses serve rural communities where nursing shortages are most acute, making these affordable programs particularly valuable for addressing workforce gaps in underserved areas.
50
Programs
$4,503 – $23,585
Net Price Range
$58,782
Avg. Program Earnings
45.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
2 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
3 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
4 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
5 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
6 $10,679 $7,272 26.8%
7 $10,964 $7,272 25.9%
8 $11,310 $7,272 37.3%
9 $11,593 $7,272 28.2%
10 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
11 $12,603 $7,504 42.5% 99.9%
12 $12,939 $13,890 70.9% 63.4%
13 $13,346 $7,278 21.6%
14 $13,824 $7,278 24.5%
15 $14,325 $19,542 20.7%
16 $14,814 $9,212 30.9%
17 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
18 $15,156 $15,672 65.0% 34.4%
19 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
20 $15,389 $9,622 43.0%
21 $15,709 $18,950 44.6% 46.2%
22 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
23 $16,135 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
24 $16,512 $9,212 14.1%
25 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
26 $17,460 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
27 $18,027 $37,860 53.2% 85.1%
28 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
29 $19,462 $16,394 60.0% 71.1%
30 $19,470 $44,602 53.8% 93.9%
31 $19,614 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
32 $20,004 $34,595 61.7% 72.5%
33 $20,088 $26,265 59.1% 93.1%
34 $20,204 $31,440 52.7% 86.4%
35 $20,320 $13,420 21.2% 93.9%
36 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
37 $20,477 $32,606 36.6% 78.5%
38 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
39 $21,596 $28,930 38.1% 60.4%
40 $21,607 $23,700 35.7%
41 $21,812 $35,524 63.6% 85.3%
42 $21,873 $19,854 51.9% 55.1%
43 $21,994 $28,910 60.6% 71.8%
44 $22,140 $34,899 68.9% 83.7%
45 $22,539 $35,400 64.9% 75.8%
46 $22,605 $9,577 30.3%
47 $22,626 $15,470 75.0% 75.0%
48 $22,881 $36,120 51.3% 77.6%
49 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
50 $23,585 $41,788 65.5% 72.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between Ohio University campuses and other schools?

Ohio University's regional campuses benefit from state subsidies that keep costs extremely low, with net prices ranging from $4,503 to $6,483. However, this affordability comes with trade-offs in graduation rates, which hover between 12.1% and 20% across these campuses. The main campus structure allows students to complete prerequisites locally before transferring to complete clinical requirements. Kent State's regional campuses follow a similar model but cost nearly double at around $10,600 to $11,600 net.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Ohio nursing schools?

Mount Carmel College of Nursing achieves a 70.9% graduation rate at $12,939 net cost, demonstrating that mid-range pricing can deliver strong outcomes. In contrast, the cheapest options like Ohio University's regional campuses show graduation rates below 21%. Wright State University-Lake Campus offers a middle ground with a 42.5% graduation rate at $12,603 net cost. The data suggests that extremely low-cost programs often struggle with student completion.

What earning potential do graduates from these affordable programs achieve?

Nursing graduates from Ohio's most affordable programs earn between $56,373 and $60,630 annually, with Mount Carmel College of Nursing graduates commanding the highest salaries at $60,630. Wright State University-Lake Campus graduates earn $58,494, while Youngstown State graduates start at $56,373. These figures reflect Ohio's competitive nursing market, where major health systems like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center actively recruit. The earning potential remains strong regardless of program cost, making the cheapest options particularly attractive for return on investment.

Is student debt manageable at Ohio's most affordable nursing programs?

Student debt levels vary significantly among affordable options, from $13,672 at Ohio University campuses to $29,490 at Bryant & Stratton College-Parma. Mount Carmel College of Nursing keeps debt reasonable at $21,500 despite being a private institution. Kent State regional campuses average $25,000 in debt, while Wright State-Lake Campus matches this figure. Given starting salaries above $56,000, most graduates can expect manageable debt-to-income ratios under the recommended 10% threshold.

Where do the most competitive admissions occur among affordable programs?

Mount Carmel College of Nursing maintains the most selective admissions with a 63.41% acceptance rate, reflecting its strong reputation and clinical partnerships in Columbus. Wright State University-Lake Campus accepts 99.85% of applicants, making it highly accessible despite solid outcomes. Youngstown State University falls between these extremes with an 80.6% acceptance rate. Regional campuses typically maintain open admission policies for prerequisite coursework, with competitive entry into nursing-specific courses occurring after general education requirements.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.