The Top 20 Two-Year Nursing Programs in Columbus, Ohio for 2026

Columbus is home to some of the top two-year nursing programs in Ohio, offering aspiring nurses high-quality education, hands-on training, and pathways to rewarding careers. As the healthcare industry continues to grow rapidly in Columbus and nationwide, graduates from these excellent programs are poised for success.

This guide profiles the 20 best two-year RN and LPN nursing programs in the Columbus area based on quality indicators like NCLEX exam pass rates, student satisfaction, program breadth and depth, reputation, and graduate career outcomes. Programs featured offer flexible scheduling options and financial aid to make nursing education accessible.

1. Central Ohio Technical College

Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) is renowned for excellence in allied health education. Its two-year Associate Degree Nursing program blends theoretical coursework with extensive clinical training using industry-standard technology and simulation.

Highlights:

• Accredited by ACEN with full approval status from Ohio Board of Nursing
• Impressive 93% NCLEX RN exam first-time pass rate
• Modern simulation labs with high-fidelity manikins
• Clinical rotations at major healthcare systems including OhioHealth and Mount Carmel

Tuition: $4,932 per semester plus fees for in-district students
Admissions: Competitive; requires TEAS test, GPA 3.0 preferred
Address: 1179 University Dr, Newark, OH 43055
Contact: (740) 366-9222; Website

2. Columbus State Community College

Columbus City Schools‘ Career and Technical Education Center houses Columbus State‘s LPN and RN nursing programs. Both offer in-depth medical/surgical, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics and mental health nursing education.

Highlights:

• ACEN-accredited LPN and RN pathways
• Simulation learning and training at OhioHealth medial facilities
• Wide range of financial assistance options
• Active student nursing association

Tuition: $4,287 in-district annually for RN program
Admissions: TEAS test required plus prerequisites
Address: 550 E Spring St, Columbus, OH 43215
Contact: (614) 287-5353; Website

3. Fortis College

Fortis College has been providing career-focused nursing education in central Ohio since 2003. Its ACEN-accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program includes extensive hands-on labs and clinical experience.

Highlights:

• Simulation lab replicating hospital wards
• Small class sizes (max 15:1 student-teacher ratio)
• NCLEX prep and testing included
• Graduate career placement assistance

Tuition: $48,328 total program cost
Admissions: TEAS test required
Address: 555 Metro Place North, Suite 200 Dublin, OH 43017
Contact: (877) 629-7433; Website

4. Ohio University Chillicothe

Ohio University Chillicothe offers an acclaimed LPN to RN program pathway starting each autumn semester. Graduates can sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and enter the nursing workforce after just five semesters of full-time study.

Highlights:

• For current LPNs able to bridge to RN
• Fully online and in-person course options
• 83% first-time NCLEX RN exam pass rate
• Part-time pathways available

Tuition: $326 per credit hour
Admissions: Current unencumbered LPN license required
Address: 101 University Drive, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Contact: (740) 774-7200; Website

5. Ohio Institute of Allied Health

Exclusively focused on training for allied health careers like nursing, the Ohio Institute of Allied Health has decades of experience providing accredited, career-oriented education. It‘s affordable LPN program can be completed full- or part-time.

Highlights:

• Weekday, evening and weekend course options
• Faculty all actively working in their fields
• Financial aid and scholarships available
• Free tutoring and career placement help

Tuition: $16,500 total
Admissions: High school diploma or equivalent required
Address: 6245 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424
Contact: (937) 237-1010; Website

6. Fortis College – Centerville

The Centerville campus of Fortis College offers flexible LPN and RN programs focused on preparing nurses to thrive in modern healthcare environments.

Highlights:

• Simulation labs with high-tech human patient simulators
• Professional development and career support
• Alternating day/evening course schedules
• ACEN accredited

Tuition: $48,328 total program cost
Admissions: Requires passing TEAS entrance exam score
Address: 380 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, OH 45459
Contact: (937) 433-3435; Website

7. Hondros College of Nursing

With a 300-acre main campus mimicking a real healthcare environment, Hondros College of Nursing provides dynamic nursing education focused on practical skill application.

Highlights:

• Diploma RN program takes just 16 months
• Multiple award-winning Hi-Sim simulation labs
• Free NCLEX preparation and testing
• Extensive hands-on clinical training

Tuition: $43,200 total program cost
Admissions: Competitive; RN requires certified STNA or acceptance to STNA program
Address: 4140 Executive Parkway, Westerville, OH 43081
Contact: (888) 425-8374; Website

8. Mount Carmel College of Nursing

Mount Carmel prepares nurses through top-notch simulation labs with programmable manikins combined with faculty-led clinical rotations at Mount Carmel healthcare facilities.

Highlights:

• Renowned clinical training opportunities
• Station rotation capstone for student cohesion
• Supportive faculty committed to success
• Highly accessible downtown Columbus location

Tuition: $40,000 total BSN cost over 4 years
Admissions: GPA 3.0+ required with preadmission testing
Address: 127 South Davis Avenue, Columbus, OH 43222
Contact: (614) 234-5534; Website

9. Chamberlain University

Chamberlain offers flexible three-year Bachelor of Science Nursing degree programs at its Columbus metro campus location designed for working professionals with landmark simulation training.

Highlights:

• Three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
• Extensive job search help and career guidance
• Up to $65k in scholarships and grants available
• High-tech medical labs and simulation

Tuition: $94,036 total cost
Admissions: Must pass HESI A2 test; 2.5 GPA required
Address: 1375 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43205
Contact: (614) 252-8890; Website

10. American Sentinel University

Registered nurses can complete their BSN fully online in just four terms with American Sentinel University. All nursing degree programs feature flexible schedules accommodating working nurses.

Highlights:

• RN to BSN takes just 12 months
• No campus visits required
• Special tuition rates for nurses, military
• CCNE accredited with 83% NCLEX pass rate

Tuition: $370 per credit hour
Admissions: Active unencumbered RN license required
Address: Online
Contact: (303) 659-5600; Website

11. Bradford School Columbus

Bradford School‘s Columbus campus has trained LPNs and RNs for over three decades in central Ohio. Nursing students master key competencies through simulation learning and clinical externships.

Highlights:

• Externships at major healthcare employers
• Financial aid advisors help secure funding
• Career Services staff supports job placement
• High-fidelity simulation training

Tuition: $32,850 LPN | $37,200 RN program cost
Admissions: Complete admissions checklist
Address: 2469 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219
Contact: (614) 416-6293; Website

12. Ohio State University (OSU)

Pre-licensure BSN graduates from Ohio State‘s nursing program consistently post exceptional 91-94% first-time NCLEX pass rates. OSU College of Nursing is the top-ranked nursing school in Ohio.

Highlights:

• Top nursing research college in nation
• $2.5 million state-of-art simulation lab
• Clinical experience across OSU Wexner Medical Center
• Highly competitive 12% admissions rate

Tuition: $11,084 in-state per semester
Admissions: Median accepted GPA 3.83; ACT 28
Address: 1585 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH 43210
Contact: (614) 292-8900; Website

13. Kettering College of Medical Arts

With small classes and labs simulating hospital wards, Kettering College of Medical Arts Nursing School emphasizes one-on-one learning and skill competency.

Highlights:

• Top 4% NCLEX RN first-time pass rate
• Fully equipped clinical simulation labs
• Laptops provided to all enrolled students
• Supportive 14:1 student-teacher ratio

Tuition: $21,750 annually
Admissions: TEAS test required; 92% acceptance
Address: 3737 Southern Blvd., Kettering, OH 45429
Contact: (937) 395-8601; Website

14. Clark State Community College

Offering seamless LPN-ADN transition at four campus locations, Clark State Community College nursing graduates consistently post outstanding NCLEX pass rates thanks to rigorous education standards.

Highlights:

• ADN graduates: 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate
• Renowned, ACEN-accredited LPN pathway
• Hands-on clinical rotation experience
• Dedicated career placement assistance staff

Tuition: $4,968 annually; LPN $13,260 total
Admissions: 2.7 minimum GPA plus required TEAS score
Address: 571 Hill Road North, Springfield, Ohio 45504
Contact: (937) 325-6305; Website

15. University of Cincinnati

Top-ranked among Ohio nursing programs, University of Cincinnati nursing graduates consistently post exceptional 97-99% first-time NCLEX pass rates. UC College of Nursing also ranks #8 nationwide for NIH research funding.

Highlights:

• Across-the-board 97-99% NCLEX pass rates
• Nationally recognized research college
• High-tech simulation lab with EHR systems
• Over 200 healthcare employer partners

Tuition: $11,000 in-state per semester
Admissions: Median admitted GPA 3.83; ACT 24
Address: PO Box 210038, Cincinnati, OH 45221
Contact: (513) 556-6000; Website

16. MedCentral College of Nursing

Part of MedCentral Health System, MedCentral College of Nursing offers respected ADN, LPN to ADN and advanced placement BSN pathways supported by 140+ clinical partners offering real nursing training.

Highlights:

• Direct path to RN employment at MedCentral
• Acclaimed HAL simulation lab training
• Clinical experience across 35 nursing areas
• Generous tuition assistance programs

Tuition: $17,160 total ADN cost
Admissions: TEAS test required; competitive
Address: 335 Glessner Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44903
Contact: (419) 526-1228; Website

17. Trinity Health System School of Nursing

Trinity Health System School of Nursing structures its ADN, LPN and fast-track LPN to RN Bridge programs for working students to learn through innovative tetherless simulation training with expert instructors.

Highlights:

• Tetherless HPS simulations using iPads
• 8-week LPN transitional course option
• Clinical hours begin early and often
• Part-time pathways available

Tuition: $17,973 total ADN cost
Admissions: TEAS; LPN to RN requires work experience
Address: 380 Summit Avenue, Steubenville, OH 43952
Contact: (740) 264-5591; Website

18. Washington State Community College

WSCC offers acclaimed LPN and RN programs including an LPN to RN transition track. An active Student Nurses Association gives students early exposure to healthcare networks through conferences and events.

Highlights:

• Seamless track from LPN to ADN
• Extracurricular learning opportunities
• Financial aid helps 95% of students
• Small class sizes under 30

Tuition: $5,856 per year in-district ADN
Admissions: TEAS test; GPA 2.7+ required
Address: 710 Colegate Dr, Marietta, OH 45750
Contact: (740) 374-8716; Website

19. Eastern Gateway Community College

Eastern Gateway offers acclaimed LPN and RN programs including online and evening courses at four campus locations. An active Student Nurses Association gives students early exposure to healthcare networks through conferences and events.

Highlights:

• Online coursework options
• Four campus locations
• Clinicals arranged on weekends
• NCLEX pass rates over 90%

Tuition: $5,856 per year in-district ADN
Admissions: TEAS test; GPA 2.5+ required
Address: 110 John Scott Hwy, Steubenville, OH 43952
Contact: (740) 264-5591; Website

20. University of Toledo

University of Toledo College of Nursing consistently posts outstanding NCLEX pass rates thanks to rigorous BSN and MSN programs focused on decision-making, leadership, analysis and communication skill competency development through robust simulation labs.

Highlights:

• Renowned advanced simulation labs
• Both direct and RN-BSN pathways
• Over 1,100 total clinical hours
• Outstanding student-faculty ratio

Tuition: $9,537 in-state per year
Admissions: 3.25 overall GPA required
Address: 2801 Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43606
Contact: (419) 530-3666; Website