2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Ohio
Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 116 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Ohio
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 525 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $90,970 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,240 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Case Western Reserve University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $112,484. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $26,580 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Case Western Reserve University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 404 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $109,491. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,920 in student loans.
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Ohio University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 1,273 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $80,108 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,778 to complete this degree.
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University Of Toledo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 293 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $76,736 early in their careers. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans.
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Xavier University placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 305 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $78,516. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Xavier University
University Of Dayton came in at #7 for registered nursing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree.
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Kent State University At Kent placed #8 among the best registered nursing schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 558 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $83,999. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans.
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Franklin University came in at #9 for registered nursing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. About 3% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Franklin University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Franklin University earn around $57,471 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,890.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Franklin University
Otterbein University earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Otterbein University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $89,634 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Wittenberg University earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Wittenberg University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $40,093. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Ohio Northern University earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ohio Northern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $72,482 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Ohio Northern University
Sinclair Community College came in at #13 for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Dayton. About 107 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $69,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Sinclair Community College
Cedarville University landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 90 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Cedarville University earn around $86,430 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Cedarville University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 98 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $68,261 in their early career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,848 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Columbus State Community College earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 180 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Columbus State Community College
Youngstown State University came in at #17 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 134 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $106,008. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Youngstown State University
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio came in at #18 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio is a small private for-profit university. Roughly 29% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio awarded about 183 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $83,188 in their early career. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio
Mercy College Of Ohio earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Toledo, Mercy College Of Ohio is a small private not-for-profit university. Mercy College Of Ohio graduates 56% of students within six years. Mercy College Of Ohio awarded about 251 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mercy College Of Ohio generally make around $71,248. Typical student debt for the program is $33,674.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Mercy College Of Ohio
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #20 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dayton. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 140 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Wright State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $87,340 early in their careers. Wright State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,987 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Wright State University Main Campus
Capital University earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 79 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Capital University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Capital University earn a median of $70,365 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Mount Carmel College Of Nursing came in at #22 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Mount Carmel College Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 256 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mount Carmel College Of Nursing in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Mount Carmel College Of Nursing earn a median of $88,238 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for Mount Carmel College Of Nursing
Marion Technical College came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. Marion Technical College awarded about 61 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $67,265 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,990.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Marion Technical College
Miami University Oxford ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,404 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Miami University Oxford
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #25 spot for registered nursing this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. About 219 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $102,988 early in their careers. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Akron Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also placed among the best for registered nursing this year:
Honorable Mentions
A few more registered nursing schools worth a look:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 116 schools evaluated.
- 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.