For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.
We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the Ohio Board of Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of Ohio’s prelicensure BSN programs accordingly.
#1: University of Mount Union
98.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate1972 Clark Avenue
Alliance, Ohio 44601
https://www.mountunion.edu98.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2017 through 2021
#2: Baldwin Wallace University
94.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate275 Eastland Road
Berea, Ohio 44017
https://www.bw.edu94.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Average of 30 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#3: Ohio Northern University
94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate525 South Main Street
Ada, Ohio 45810
https://www.onu.edu94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 23 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#4: Ohio State University
93.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate1585 Neil Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
https://www.osu.edu93.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 232 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#5: Chamberlain University - Columbus
91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate4111 Worth Avenue, Suite 300
Columbus, Ohio 43219
https://www.chamberlain.edu91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 91 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#6: Walsh University
91.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate2020 East Maple Street
North Canton, Ohio 44720
https://www.walsh.edu91.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 76 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#7: Ashland University
91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate1020 South Trimble Road
Mansfield, Ohio 44906
https://www.ashland.edu91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 109 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#8: Ohio University
90.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate53 Richland Avenue
Athens, Ohio 45701
https://www.ohio.edu90.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 92 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#9: Malone University
89.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate2600 Cleveland Avenue NW
Canton, Ohio 44709
https://www.malone.edu89.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#10: Kent State University
89.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1375 University Esplanade
Kent, Ohio 44242
https://www.kent.edu89.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 441 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#11: Otterbein University
89.3% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne South Grove Street
Westerville, Ohio 43081
https://www.otterbein.edu89.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 52 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#12: Case Western Reserve University
89.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
https://www.case.edu89.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 70 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#13: Capital University
89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rateEast Main Street & College Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43209
https://www.capital.edu89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 91 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#14: Wright State University
88.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, Ohio 45435
https://www.wright.edu88.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 169 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#15: Franciscan University of Steubenville
88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1235 University Boulevard
Steubenville, Ohio 43952
https://www.franciscan.edu88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 48 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#16: Mount Carmel College of Nursing
88.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate127 South Davis Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43222
https://www.mccn.edu88.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 234 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#17: Cleveland State University
88.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
https://www.csuohio.edu88.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 136 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#18: University of Findlay
88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate1000 North Main Street
Findlay, Ohio 45840
https://www.findlay.edu88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 17 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2021
#19: University of Akron
87.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate209 Carroll Street
Akron, Ohio 44325
https://www.uakron.edu87.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 188 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#20: Ohio University - Zanesville
87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate1425 Newark Road
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
https://www.ohio.edu/zanesville87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#21: Ohio University - Chillicothe
87.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate101 University Drive
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
https://www.ohio.edu/chillicothe87.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 15 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#22: Ursuline College
87.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate2550 Lander Road
Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124
https://www.ursuline.edu87.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 93 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#23: Youngstown State University
86.9% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne University Plaza
Youngstown, Ohio 44555
https://www.ysu.edu86.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 88 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#24: Cedarville University
86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate251 North Main Street
Cedarville, Ohio 45314
https://www.cedarville.edu86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 90 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#25: Muskingum University
86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate163 Stormont Street
New Concord, Ohio 43762
https://www.muskingum.edu86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 15 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#26: Kettering College
85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate3737 Southern Boulevard
Kettering, Ohio 45429
https://www.kc.edu85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 67 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2021
#27: University of Cincinnati
85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate3110 Vine Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
https://www.uc.edu85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 222 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#28: Shawnee State University
84.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
https://www.shawnee.edu84.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2021
#29: Mount Vernon Nazarene University
84.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate800 Martinsburg Road
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
https://www.mvnu.edu84.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 27 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#30: Christ College of Nursing & Health Sciences
84.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate2139 Auburn Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
https://www.thechristcollege.edu84.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 36 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2021
#31: Mount St. Joseph University
83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate5701 Delhi Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45233
https://www.msj.edu83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#32: Bowling Green State University
83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate1201 Ridge Street
Bowling Green, Ohio 43403
https://www.bgsu.edu83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
BSN Consortium with the University of Toledo
Average of 52 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#33: Christ College of Nursing & Health Sciences
83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate2139 Auburn Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
https://www.thechristcollege.edu83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Average of 33 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2020 through 2021
#34: Ohio University - Southern
83.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate1804 Liberty Avenue
Ironton, Ohio 45638
https://www.ohio.edu/southern83.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#35: Xavier University
82.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
https://www.xavier.edu82.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Average of 167 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2021
#36: University of Toledo
82.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate3000 Arlington Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43614
https://www.utoledo.edu82.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 186 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#37: Chamberlain University - Cleveland
82.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate6700 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44103
https://www.chamberlain.edu82.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 47 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2021
#38: Notre Dame College
81.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate4545 College Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44121
https://www.notredamecollege.edu81.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 22 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#39: Lourdes University
81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate6832 Convent Boulevard
Sylvania, Ohio 43560
https://www.lourdes.edu81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 76 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#40: Mercy College of Ohio
81.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate2221 Madison Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43604
https://www.mercycollege.edu81.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 76 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#41: Xavier University
80.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
https://www.xavier.edu80.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 84 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#42: Hiram College
80.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate6832 Hinsdale Street
Hiram, Ohio 44234
https://www.hiram.edu80.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 20 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#43: Miami University
80.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate1601 University Boulevard
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
https://www.miamioh.edu80.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 61 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#44: Herzing University - Akron
80.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate1600 South Arlington Street, Suite 100
Akron, Ohio 44306
https://www.herzing.edu80.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 4 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2021
#45: Bryant & Stratton College - Parma
74.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate12955 Snow Road
Parma, Ohio 44130
https://www.bryantstratton.edu74.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 7 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021