2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Ohio
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,717 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $62,630 early in their careers. Set against $17,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #2. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,996 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $64,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,903 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,156. Set against $26,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,667. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $69,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Students borrow a median of $13,833 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,650. Set against $13,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,871 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,548. That is a strong return on a $26,871 median debt.
Columbus State Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, with out-of-state students paying around $11,225. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,990. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $67,265. That is a strong return on a $15,990 median debt.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,778. Nursing graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $70,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,778 median debt.
University Of Akron Wayne College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,723, compared with $15,403 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,600 ten years after entry. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
Edison State Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,420. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $62,930. Set against $21,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,989 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $62,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,131. That is a strong return on a $26,778 median debt.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,600. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earn a median of $88,238 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Washington State Community College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $20,067 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,168. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $66,756. Set against $27,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Ohio Technical College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,016. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $66,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Southern Campus earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Ohio University Southern Campus earn a median of $70,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,778 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $62,603. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Belmont College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, with out-of-state students paying around $7,200. Students borrow a median of $20,524 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Belmont College generally make around $58,414. That is a strong return on a $20,524 median debt.
Youngstown State University placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $106,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Clark State Community College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $63,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern State Community College came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,912, with out-of-state students paying around $10,818. Students borrow a median of $18,490 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southern State Community College earn a median of $62,085 early in their careers. Set against $18,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Lake Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,987 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,327. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt.
Miami University Hamilton earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
