Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Ohio | 2026
Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Nurse.org’s Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Ohio
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Ohio State University |
Resident: $9,682 per semester Non-Resident: $22,982 per semester |
36 months | CCNE |
| Xavier University | $722 per credit hour | 20 months | CCNE |
| Lourdes University | $730 per credit hour | 20 months | CCNE |
We’re highlighting three direct-entry MSN programs in Ohio. These programs are a mix of public and private with varying program lengths, which makes pursuing an education while working or caring for loved ones more feasible. These programs take between 20 and 36 months to complete.
Non-Resident: $22,982 per semester
The Ohio State University prepares students to take the NCLEX and will award them an MSN with the option for an advanced practitioner nursing certification (seven choices are available) as well. Applications for this three-year, full-time program open in August, and once students are admitted, the program consists of a mixture of online and in-person learning, depending on their specialty track. Like some other longer MSN-NP programs, students in their third year may have the option to work as a nurse after sitting for the NCLEX, although students are cautioned that the program continues at a full-time pace.
Program Highlights
- MSN with advanced practitioner nursing certification options
- Seven specialty tracks available (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Pediatric Primary Care NP, Family NP, Nurse-Midwifery, Neonatal NP, Women's Health NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP)
- Mix of online and in-person learning
- Option to work as a nurse during the third year after passing NCLEX
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Prerequisite courses: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics, Human Development
Program Information
- Application Deadline: August (annual)
- Contact Information:
Xavier University’s two-year MSN-RN program takes place on campus. It offers a mix of in-person campus learning, lab simulations, and clinicals at over 30 Cincinnati area healthcare sites to prepare students. The program is full-time only (no part-time students are allowed), and it has a 100% NCLEX pass rate from past participants. In addition to preparing students to take the NCLEX, graduates of Xavier University’s accelerated MSN program will also be eligible to sit for the Holistic Nurse Certification (HNC) and the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification Examination after passing the NCLEX exam.
Program Highlights
- 100% NCLEX pass rate
- Clinicals at over 30 Cincinnati area healthcare sites
- Eligible for Holistic Nurse Certification (HNC) and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification
- Full-time, on-campus program
Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor's degree
- 3.0 GPA
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
Lourdes University advertises more flexibility for students compared to other direct-entry programs, with both in-person and online learning. The campus has two lab simulation laboratories for students to gain hands-on experience with everything from caring for a ‘patient’ giving birth to IV and catheter insertion. The program also prides itself on accepting students from a variety of backgrounds, whether that’s students fresh from earning their non-nursing bachelor’s degree to students with 20+ years of experience in another field under their belts.
Program Highlights
- Hybrid format with in-person and online learning
- Two lab simulation laboratories on campus
- BSN conferred along the way
- Accepts students from a variety of backgrounds
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- 2.75 GPA
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program in Ohio
Direct-entry MSN programs in Ohio are most common for people with a non-nursing background who are looking to get into nursing in a fast and reliable pathway. With a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field, an MSN degree can be achieved in as little as 20 months to three years.
Direct-entry MSN programs may also make sense for some nurses already working in Ohio since the state does not require its nurses to hold a BSN to practice. However, many individual hospitals mandate that their RNs earn their BSN within a certain number of years working in the hospital. Some nurses may instead choose to earn their MSNs.
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Ohio
Tuition for direct-entry MSN programs varies by program. However, all three programs that we feature here fall in the range of $48,000-$56,000 in total tuition. Keep in mind you should also consider other university fees, commuting costs, and fees for study materials.
Admission Requirements for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Ohio
Admission requirements for direct-entry MSN programs in Ohio differ depending on the school. To understand the specific standards of your chosen school, you should speak with an academic advisor.
However, most direct-entry MSN programs in Ohio will have these general prerequisites:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses (per program)
- All transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed school application
Are Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Ohio Difficult?
The direct-entry MSN programs in Ohio are considered to be rigorous and competitive. Most direct-entry MSN programs, regardless of the state, are considered full-time programs, meaning students are generally discouraged from working outside of the program. Some programs may also require weekends, evenings, and year-round course and clinical work.
What to Expect Working as an APRN in Ohio
NP Salary in Ohio
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average wage for nurse practitioners in Ohio is $121,250, or $58.29 per hour, which is right on par with the national median annual salary for NPs, which is $129,210 per year. Ohio currently ranks in the bottom 10 states for pay, but its cost of living is also low compared to higher-paying states.
APRNs, in general, earn an average salary of $132,050 per year, $63.48 per hour, and the field is expected to grow 35% (much faster than average) over the next ten years. Going from RN to APRN provides you with not only more responsibilities but also more career opportunities to grow into.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the NP career field will grow 35% (much faster than average) over the coming decade. Additionally, it estimates 134,000 openings for APRNs each year. Currently, Ohio is home to 14,550 NPs.
Where Can You Work? RN Jobs in Ohio
Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in several locations as a nurse. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
Next Steps
The top direct-entry MSN programs in Ohio are perfect for working nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue becoming an NP or APRN. These graduate programs allow you to take the next step in your career, even if you started in a non-nursing field.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
FAQs
Additional Resources
For more information on earning a direct-entry MSN, check out these resources:
- Top Direct-Entry Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs
- Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026
- Types of Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Degrees | Programs 2026
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