2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Ohio
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 118 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, 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.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,717 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,630. Set against $17,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at North Central State College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $13,833 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $63,650 early in their careers. Set against $13,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $23,996 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $64,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Marion Technical College one of the best values for nursing. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, with out-of-state students paying around $11,225. Students borrow a median of $15,990 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $67,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,990 median debt.
Columbus State Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Stark State College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $26,871 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,548. Set against $26,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. 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, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,903. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,156. Set against $26,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. 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. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,881. Set against $23,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Southern Campus landed the #10 spot for nursing value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. 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.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,778. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,131. That is a strong return on a $26,778 median debt.
Clark State Community College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,759. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $61,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College came in at #14 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. Students borrow a median of $21,420 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $62,930 early in their careers. Set against $21,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,131. Set against $26,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Belmont College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,524 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $58,414. That is a strong return on a $20,524 median debt.
Owens Community College placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $27,168 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $66,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of James A Rhodes State College earn a median of $62,603 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Ohio Technical College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. 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. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,067. Nursing graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $67,695 early in their careers. Set against $20,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Wayne College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public school located in the rural area of Orrville. Students from in state pay about $7,723 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,403. Students borrow a median of $21,669 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Akron Wayne College earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,669 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $106,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Mount Carmel College Of Nursing ranked #23 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,600. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Carmel College Of Nursing admits about 84% of applicants.
Southern State Community College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,912, compared with $10,818 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,490. 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.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $102,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
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
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 118 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.
