Best Nursing Schools in Columbus: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 3, 2026
Compare 11 Columbus nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data.
Columbus is a growing healthcare market with strong demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 11 institutions offering nursing programs at various levels, from affordable ADN degrees to doctoral programs.
Why Study Nursing in Columbus?
Columbus is a growing healthcare market with strong demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 11 institutions offering nursing programs at various levels, from affordable ADN degrees to doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
Ohio State University-Main Campus (Columbus) — 50.8% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $12,859/year. Nursing graduates earn $125,137/year (Doctoral Degree).
Ohio State University-Newark Campus (Newark). In-state tuition: $9,212/year. Nursing graduates earn $92,220/year (Master's Degree).
Otterbein University (Westerville) — 83.3% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $34,899/year. Nursing graduates earn $112,239/year (Master's Degree).
Capital University (Columbus) — 73.2% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $41,788/year. Nursing graduates earn $87,771/year (Master's Degree).
Central Ohio Technical College (Newark). In-state tuition: $5,136/year. Nursing graduates earn $54,755/year (Associate's Degree).
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus (Lancaster). In-state tuition: $6,178/year. Nursing graduates earn $65,624/year (Bachelor's Degree).
Community College & Affordable Nursing Programs
- Hondros College of Nursing (Columbus): $19,902/year, nursing graduates earn $66,589/year
- Central Ohio Technical College (Newark): $5,136/year, nursing graduates earn $54,755/year
- Fortis College-Columbus (Westerville): $14,148/year, nursing graduates earn $57,316/year
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Not sure which path is right? Compare colleges and trade schools near you with real salary data.
Try the Calculator →How to Choose
Consider your budget, career goals, and timeline. Community college ADN programs offer the fastest and cheapest path to an RN license. University BSN and graduate programs lead to higher earnings and more career options. Many nurses start with an ADN and bridge to BSN while working.
Financial Aid
Check your state's grant programs, federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year), and HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarships for nursing-specific aid. Many hospitals also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees.
Next Steps
Compare Columbus nursing programs on GradeToGrad.