2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Ohio

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

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.

2

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

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.

3

North Central State College
Mansfield, OH

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.

4

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

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.

5

Marion Technical College
Marion, OH

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.

6

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

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.

7

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

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.

8

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Cincinnati, OH

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.

9

Lakeland Community College
Kirtland, OH

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.

10

Ohio University Southern Campus
Ironton, OH

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.

11

Ohio University Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH

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.

12

Clark State Community College
Springfield, OH

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.

13

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

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.

14

Edison State Community College
Piqua, OH

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.

15

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH

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.

16

Belmont College
St Clairsville, OH

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.

17

Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

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.

18

James A Rhodes State College
Lima, OH

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.

19

Central Ohio Technical College
Newark, OH

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.

20

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

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.

21

University Of Akron Wayne College
Orrville, OH

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.

22

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

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%.

23

Mount Carmel College Of Nursing
Columbus, OH

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.

24

Southern State Community College
Hillsboro, OH

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.

25

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

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.