College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio

83 Colleges in Ohio
11,814 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in registered nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools in Ohio to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 11,814 degrees in registered nursing annually.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Registered Nursing School

Best Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio Your choice of registered nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for registered nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Registered Nursing Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Registered Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Registered Nursing
Master's Degrees in Registered Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Registered Nursing

The registered nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Ohio

The schools below may not offer all types of registered nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

16 Top Ohio Schools in Registered Nursing

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
23rd Most Popular In OH
132 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Case Western Reserve University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cleveland. A Best Colleges rank of #116 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Case Western is a great university overall.

There were roughly 132 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Case Western in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Case Western Reserve University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OH
1,741 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

It's difficult to beat Ohio University - Athens Campus if you wish to pursue a degree in registered nursing. OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the distant town of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #184 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means OHIO Athens is a great university overall.

There were roughly 1741 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Ohio University - Athens Campus

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN Program Name

With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.

More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In OH
429 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a great decision for students interested in a degree in registered nursing. UC is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Cincinnati. A Best Colleges rank of #137 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 429 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In OH
612 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

It's difficult to beat Ohio State University - Main Campus if you want to pursue a degree in registered nursing. Ohio State is a very large public university located in the city of Columbus. A Best Colleges rank of #70 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 612 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Ohio State University - Main Campus

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In OH
704 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Kent State is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Kent. A Best Colleges rank of #250 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Kent State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 704 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Kent State University at Kent

6
Xavier crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In OH
374 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Xavier is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cincinnati. A Best Colleges rank of #277 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Xavier is a great university overall.

There were approximately 374 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Xavier in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Xavier University

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In OH
285 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Toledo, University of Toledo is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #510 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means University of Toledo is a great university overall.

There were about 285 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Toledo in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Toledo

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN Program Name

At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.

More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In OH
312 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were about 312 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mount Carmel College of Nursing in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Mount Carmel College of Nursing

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
51st Most Popular In OH
90 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Akron, Herzing Akron is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population.

There were roughly 90 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Herzing Akron in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Herzing University - Akron

10
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
25th Most Popular In OH
119 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 31st out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 119 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Cedarville University

11
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
44th Most Popular In OH
59 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 41st out of 91 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 59 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Otterbein in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Otterbein University

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership Program Name

Get on track to lead with your online MSN in Nurse Executive Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

12
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In OH
249 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public college located in the city of Cleveland. A Best Colleges rank of #468 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cuyahoga Community College District is a great college overall.

There were approximately 249 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Cuyahoga Community College District

13
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
22nd Most Popular In OH
117 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #552 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Sinclair Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 117 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Sinclair Community College

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In OH
257 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

University of Akron Main Campus is a large public university located in the medium-sized city of Akron. This university ranks 23rd out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 257 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Akron Main Campus

15
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
51st Most Popular In OH

Franklin University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Columbus.

There were approximately 26 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Franklin University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Franklin University

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Program Name

Break into one of the most high-demand occupations in the nation with your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In OH
237 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Toledo, Mercy College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were approximately 237 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mercy College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Mercy College of Ohio

Rest of the Top Best Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio award.

Rank College Location
17 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH
18 Good Samaritan College of Nursing & Health Science Cincinnati, OH
19 Central Ohio Technical College Newark, OH
20 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
21 Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OH
22 Ursuline College Pepper Pike, OH
23 Owens Community College Perrysburg, OH
24 University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, OH
25 Clark State Community College Springfield, OH
26 Kettering College Kettering, OH
27 Bryant & Stratton College - Parma Parma, OH

Best Registered Nursing Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Registered Nursing Colleges in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 915 6,357
Illinois 870 17,153
Indiana 737 5,381
Wisconsin 672 4,688

View All Rankings >

Registered Nursing is one of 23 different types of Nursing programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 711
Nursing Practice 324
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 229
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 160
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 159
Nurse Anesthetist 91
Women’s Health Nurse/Nursing 75
Clinical Nurse Leader 67
Nursing Administration 62
Nursing Science 62

View All Registered Nursing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options