Online RN to BSN Programs in Ohio

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Ohio

1. Ohio State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check State Authorization
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 83.13%

OSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is our undisputed #1 for Ohio! Your BSN will be backed by a College of Nursing with a superb national reputation for education & NIH-funded research. You can choose a full-time or part-time schedule. And you’ll tackle 100% online coursework and personalized clinical projects in your home location. OSU is a public university, but all RN to BSN students pay in-state tuition rates (there’s a small per semester fee charged to out-of-state students).

2. Ohio University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); Part-Time Study Available
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check Admissions for Eligible States
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 85.37%

Appearing at #2 in our rankings is OHIO’s 100% Online RN to BSN, with 5-week-long courses and 8 start dates each year. Coursework is standard for an RN to BSN, but you can customize your experience with a 7-week-long capstone project in your local area. Have a look at the section on nursing faculty research to learn if any of their work dovetails with your interests. If you’re thinking of further study, the School of Nursing has developed plenty of Online MSN and DNP programs. It even offers specific RN to BSN scholarships!

3. University of Cincinnati

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 27
• Length: 2 Semesters/9 Months (Full-Time); 3-5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check Admission Requirements for Eligible States
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 87.57%

UC’s 100% Online RN to BSN is not far behind OSU and OU in the reputation stakes. The College of Nursing has established useful clinical partnerships with many local area hospitals (e.g. UC Health). It’s an NLN Center of Excellence. It earns excellent rankings & reviews for its nursing graduate programs—check out the BSN to DNP pathways. And it has developed an Online RN to BSN that’s fast, practical, and convenient. Classes are set up in 7-week blocks, with a 14-week capstone experience; practicums are included in the Community Health course and the capstone.

4. Kent State University at Kent

• Program: Online RN-to-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters/12 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check Admissions for State Exclusions
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.74%

KSU’s 100% Online RN-to-BSN ticks all of our quality boxes. The College of Nursing is an NLN Center of Excellence. It has strong NCLEX and APRN certification pass rates. It has useful career links to 750+ clinical partners. It offers plenty of financial aid & scholarships to nursing students. And it offers a 1-year RN to BSN that’s super-convenient. Classes start every 7 weeks on a year-round basis; texts and exams are proctored virtually. If you’re thinking of further study, be sure to explore the College’s graduate programs.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Ohio

Overall, Ohio is pretty darn affordable for the Online RN to BSN—especially if you compare it to other big nursing states (e.g. New York). We also like the fact that out-of-state tuition rates are often very similar to in-state rates. Even if you’re from Anchorage, you won’t be paying that much more than someone from Cleveland! For this Cheapest ranking, we’ve highlighted Ohio programs that are under $8,500.

1. Cleveland State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 27
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 71.84%

CSU’s Online RN to BSN is a great deal for RNs everywhere! Thanks to a special RN to BSN tuition rate, out-of-state students only pay a bit more than in-state students. Online and blended courses at CSU often have an additional eLearning fee and one-time fees (e.g. application fee), so feel free to ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for a sample budget. CSU’s School of Nursing also has a section dedicated to Tuition & Financial Aid.

2. Youngstown State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 28
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.21%

YSU’s Online RN to BSN is eminently affordable for Ohio RNs and only a fraction more expensive for out-of-state nurses. Tuition rates are very straightforward and the application fee is waived if you are an active/veteran military member. Financial aid is available if you commit to taking six credit hours in any given semester.

3. Shawnee State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 67.86%

Tuition rates for this ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN are affordable for both in-state and out-of-state residents! Up to 90 credits may be transferred into the program, so we’ve used 30 credits for our cost calculations. SSU estimates that the degree will take ~4-6 semesters to complete, but personalized plans of study are available. Courses are 7 weeks in length.

4. Defiance College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: N/A

Defiance is a private college. That means the low per credit tuition rate for its 100% Online RN to BSN is the same for all students, regardless of their state of residence. In addition, Defiance offers payment plans and tuition deferment (up to 100%) for eligible candidates. You can finish this program in 1 year; classes are 8 weeks in length.

Note: When calculating prices, watch out for mandatory credit requirements. For example, Aultman’s BSN Completion Program comes with a super-affordable tuition rate. However, in order to graduate, 38 credit hours must be completed at Aultman College.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Ohio

To appear in our Fastest Ohio rankings, Online RN to BSN programs had to be less than 12 months. Any RN to BSN that was 1 year/3 semesters or over was excluded. It’s the same policy we used for our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Lourdes University

• Program: Online RN to BSN Competency-Based Education (CBE) Program
• RN to BSN Credits: 21
• Length: Self-Paced
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 46.67%

Like UToledo, Lourdes has developed a self-paced model for its 100% Online RN to BSN Competency-Based Education (CBE) Program. You pay a flat tuition rate each term and complete as many courses as you wish. View the full list of program courses. Each term is 4 months in length and there are monthly start dates.

2. University of Toledo

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: Self-Paced
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 73.90%

UToledo uses a self-paced Competency-Based Education (CBE) model for its 30-credit Online RN to BSN. You determine the schedule! On the program website, UToledo says that full-time CBE students can finish the 100% Online RN to BSN in as few as two 15-week semesters, but it may take longer. The program has a flexible start—you can enroll during the first 9 weeks of each semester.

3. Mount Carmel College of Nursing

• Program: Online RN-BSN Completion Program
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 3-4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 70%

MCCN’s Online RN-BSN Completion Program can be completed in 2 semesters if you commit to taking 2 courses every 6-week session. 3 sessions are offered in regular semesters; 2 sessions are offered in the summer semester. If you can’t manage the full-time pace or need to complete additional prerequisites, the program might take 3-4 semesters.

4. University of Cincinnati

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 27
• Length: 2 Semesters/9 Months (Full-Time); 3-5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check Admission Requirements for Eligible States
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 87.57%

On a full-time schedule, UC’s 100% Online RN to BSN only takes 9 months/2 semesters. Courses are delivered in 7-week blocks. To complete the 27 credits required, you might end up taking 5 courses in the first semester and 4 courses in the second semester, including the 14-week capstone experience. There are 6 start dates per year.

5. Youngstown State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 28
• Length: 10 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.21%

YSU states that its Online RN to BSN can be finished in as few as 10 months. The program contains 9 mandatory courses, including a capstone; each course is 7 weeks in length. The program comes with multiple start dates throughout the year—you can begin in the spring, summer, or fall.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Ohio

RN to BSN Requirements in Ohio

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. You’ll be expected to hold—or be in the process of earning—your RN license when you apply.

• However, if you need any help with state licensure, the Ohio Board of Nursing can answer your questions.
• The Board also posts annual NCLEX pass rates. Although these only apply to pre-licensure programs, you may wish to use them as a quality benchmark. If a College of Nursing has terrible NCLEX pass rates, it’s a warning sign!

State Authorization: Do you live outside of Ohio? Be sure you’re eligible to apply.

• Many Ohio universities have a list of approved states & state exclusions for their Online RN to BSN programs. You’ll often find this info listed under the Admissions requirements or a State Authorization section.
• Most Online RN to BSN programs in Ohio are open to nurses with a RN license from any state, but there a few exceptions. For instance, Muskingum and Ursuline expect RN to BSN applicants to hold an Ohio active unrestricted RN license. When in doubt, ask the program coordinator for clarification.

Ohio Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Do Ohio Universities Offer 100% Online RN to BSN Programs?

Absolutely. A large number of Ohio universities—including schools that feature in our Best Ohio rankings—offer 100% Online RN to BSN degrees. There are plenty of public options and private options. All coursework & tests will be online and no campus visits will be required.

Just remember that some BSN courses will have practicum elements. For example, during a course in Community Health, you may be expected to conduct site visits to community or public health providers in your local area.

Can I Choose an Online RN to BSN Program in Ohio with “No Clinicals Required”?

Because of CCNE & ACEN accreditation rules, Online RN to BSN programs always contain on-the-ground practicums—typically in community health and nursing leadership. For example:

• UC’s Online RN to BSN includes professional projects with a community and/or population-based focus.
• Franklin’s Online RN to BSN has no clinical components, but there is a mandatory project for the capstone course.

You’ll usually be able to complete these fieldwork experiences in your place of employment and/or local community.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Pathways in Ohio?

You can save time & money with accelerated pathways. In this scenario, you would start taking MSN-level graduate courses during your BSN work. Examples in Ohio include:

• University of Akron’s Online RN to BSN to MSN Pathway: You can take up to 3 graduate courses for a total of 8 credits toward your MSN.
• Mercy College of Ohio’s MSN Fast-Track: Students in the BSN have the option to take 500-level graduate courses (maximum of 6 credit hours) at the undergraduate tuition rate.
• Aultman College’s RN to MSN Partnership: 3 courses will count toward your BSN and your MSN.

What Should I Know About Prerequisites for Ohio RN to BSN Programs?

Prerequisites & General Education (GE) requirements vary from school to school:

• Many Ohio universities will want to see an undergraduate course in Statistics on your transcripts.
• Christian universities may require credits in Religion.

Examine the Online RN to BSN program page and curriculum section for full details. Any extra coursework will lengthen your degree time & increase your tuition price.

Want the good news? You don’t always need to have these credits in hand when you apply. For example, UC allows you complete prerequisite courses as you earn the BSN. But you must complete Statistics before you tackle the BSN course on Scientific Basis for Professional Nursing Practice.