Nursing Programs in Dayton, OH

Last Updated On Feb 19, 2026

Expert Verified: Jessica Guzzetti, MBA, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN

3 Min Read

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Dayton

Choosing the right nursing program is crucial for career success. Registerednursing.org creates rankings of the Best Nursing Schools in Dayton to help prospective students make informed decisions. Our rankings focus exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the primary indicator of program quality and graduate preparedness. For detailed methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Dayton area nursing programs have shown strong performance in recent years. The average NCLEX pass rate was 93.84% in 2024 with 227 students, slightly higher than 2023's 91.61% with 310 students.

2024: 93.84% pass rate (227 students)
2023: 91.61% pass rate (310 students)

Top Performing Schools

Several Dayton area schools demonstrate exceptional performance based on average pass rates across multiple years with significant student populations.

Cedarville University: 96.9% pass rate (226 students over 2 years)
Wittenberg University: 90.63% pass rate (32 students over 2 years)
Clark State College: 90% pass rate (250 students over 2 years)

BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison

Program type significantly impacts pass rate outcomes in Dayton nursing education. BSN programs show higher average pass rates compared to ADN and diploma programs.

BSN: 96.26% pass rate (107 students)
ADN: 91.67% pass rate (120 students)
Diploma: 82.76% pass rate (29 students)

Pass Rate by Program Size

Program size correlates with pass rate performance in Dayton nursing schools. Medium-sized programs achieve the highest average pass rates.

Small programs (<50 students/year): 84.79% pass rate (46 students)
Medium programs (50-100 students/year): 97.78% pass rate (90 students)
Large programs (>100 students/year): 91.67% pass rate (120 students)

Geographic Trends

Pass rates vary across different Dayton area locations. Cedarville shows particularly strong performance with the highest average pass rate among major locations.

Springfield: 91.24% pass rate (137 students)
Cedarville: 97.78% pass rate (90 students)
Englewood: 82.76% pass rate (29 students)

Sinclair Community College

Dayton, OH - Public 4-Year - sinclair.edu

Associate - Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Sinclair Community College offers a hybrid Nursing Associate of Applied Science program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN in five semesters full-time. This 65-66 credit hour program requires a high school diploma, 2.5+ GPA, and TEAS exam proficiency, with no ACT/SAT requirement. The curriculum blends theory and clinical practice in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals. Advanced placement is available for LPNs and military personnel. Recent NCLEX pass rates for Sinclair's ADN program were 98.1% (2023) and 92.08% (2024), demonstrating effective preparation for RN licensure in diverse healthcare settings.

Hybrid program format
65-66 credit hours
Eligible for NCLEX-RN
Full-time in five semesters
Part-time options available
High school diploma required
GPA 2.5 or higher
TEAS exam proficiency needed
Nurse aide training or equivalent
Advanced placement for LPNs

Bachelor's - Nursing (NUR.S.BSN)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Sinclair Community College's RN to BSN hybrid program builds on existing nursing education with a focus on leadership, evidence-based practice, and cultural competency. This 120-121 credit hour program requires a valid RN license and graduation from an accredited program, preparing nurses for management roles. No entrance exam is required for this bachelor's-level program. The program is ACEN-accredited and includes courses in nursing theory, community health, and leadership. Recent NCLEX pass rates for Sinclair's ADN program show 98.1% in 2023 and 92.08% in 2024, indicating strong preparation for licensure.

120-121 credit hours.
Hybrid program format.
RN to BSN completion.
Valid RN license required.
Accredited by ACEN.
Focus on evidence-based practice.
Cultural competency training.
Leadership and management courses.
Community nursing included.
Builds on associate degree.

Show 1 More Programs ˅

Wright State University

Dayton, OH - Public 4-Year - wright.edu

Bachelor's - Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing (B.S.N.)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Wright State University's three-year BSN program features summer classes, enabling completion in eight or nine semesters. Accredited by CCNE and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, it emphasizes clinical practice and interprofessional collaboration. The program requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission. Recent NCLEX pass rates show strong performance, with 95.62% in 2024 and 90% in 2023 among 137 and 150 students respectively, indicating effective preparation for licensure.

Three-year undergraduate program.
Summer classes available.
Accredited by CCNE.
Approved by Ohio Board.
Focus on clinical practice.
Interprofessional collaboration emphasis.
Multiple master's degree options.
Continuing education opportunities.
Disaster management course.
Innovative discovery model course.

Clark State College

Springfield, OH - Public 4-Year - clarkstate.edu

Associate - Registered Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Clark State College's Registered Nursing program prepares graduates for staff-level RN roles with a holistic, patient-centered approach emphasizing leadership and evidence-based practice. This campus-based program requires 65 credit hours covering anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing concepts, with competitive admission requiring a 2.0 GPA and prerequisite completion. As an ACEN-accredited program approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, it offers full-time/part-time options and day/evening tracks at Springfield and Beavercreek locations. NCLEX-RN exam eligibility is supported by virtual ATI review and a 3-day live review. Recent NCLEX pass rates show 91.67% in 2024 (120 students) and 88.46% in 2023 (130 students). The program doesn't require ACT/SAT exams for this bachelor's-level ranking.

65 credit hours
NCLEX-RN exam eligible
ACEN accredited
Ohio Board of Nursing approved
Competitive admission
GPA 2.0 requirement
Holistic patient care focus
Leadership and professionalism training
Evidence-based practice emphasis
Anatomy and pharmacology courses

Wittenberg University

Springfield, OH - Private 4-year - wittenberg.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Wittenberg University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a CCNE-accredited campus-based program that prepares students for generalist nursing practice with a strong foundation for graduate education. The program integrates liberal arts education to foster leadership and global citizenship, aligning with AACN Essentials standards. Admission requires ACT or SAT scores. Recent NCLEX pass rates show strong performance, with 93.33% in 2023 and 88.24% in 2024 for BSN graduates, indicating effective preparation for licensure. The program emphasizes diversity, integrity, and intellectual inquiry within its Evangelical Lutheran Church-affiliated community, reflecting nursing's status as a trusted profession.

Accredited by CCNE.
Prepares for generalist nursing.
Foundation for graduate education.
Integrates liberal arts education.
Focus on diversity and integrity.
Aligned with AACN Essentials.
Campus-based program.
Fosters global citizenship.
Leadership development focus.
Nursing most trusted profession.

Ohio Medical Career College

Dayton, OH - Private 2-year - omcc.edu

Associate - One Plus One Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Ohio Medical Career College's One Plus One Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program provides a flexible 90-week pathway to RN licensure. Students can sit for the NCLEX-PN after 40 weeks or continue for full NCLEX-RN eligibility. The program emphasizes practical skills and patient care through hands-on learning in diverse clinical settings. With day and evening classes available, it accommodates various schedules and offers LPNs a credit transfer option to accelerate their RN degree. Approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, this campus-based program requires 133 credit hours. Notably, the school reported a 40.82% NCLEX pass rate in 2023 for its ADN program in Dayton. No entrance exam is required for this associate-level program.

90-week program length.
Day and evening classes.
NCLEX-PN after first year.
NCLEX-RN eligibility post-completion.
LPN credit transfer option.
133 credit hours total.
Campus-based learning.
Ohio Board of Nursing approved.
Practical skills focus.
Patient care training.

*Source: NCES, IPEDS 2024. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Dayton, OH

If you are a recent high school graduate, a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or are thinking of transitioning into nursing from another field, an entry-level nursing program is the place to start. There are a number of program types to choose from, including LPN to RN programs, which are designed to build on an LPN’s existing experience, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing program (ADN), which is a two-year program that introduces the basics of nursing practice, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which are four-year programs that provide an in-depth foundation of nursing theory and practice for aspiring registered nurses (RNs). All of these entry-level programs prepare students to take the NCLEX licensing exam and become RNs.

LPN to RN Programs

Many LPNs choose to become RNs in order to earn higher salaries and take on more of an active role in the nursing profession. For these nurses, LPN to RN “bridge” programs provide a bridge from one career to the next and are tailored to build on an LPN’s existing classes and professional experience. Clark State Community College offers an LPN to RN program in which students will earn their ADN and be prepared for the NCLEX licensing exam. Many courses are available in an online format or may be taken on nights and weekends to accommodate working students.

ADN Programs

ADN programs are another entry-level nursing education program option, generally offered by community colleges and technical schools. ADN programs also prepare students to take the NCLEX exam and begin their careers as RNs. Edison State Community College offers an ADN program with coursework in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, medical terminology, health promotion of the adult, microbiology, and clinical application of nursing.

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs

As more and more healthcare employers require a bachelor’s degree for their entry-level nursing positions, BSN programs are becoming a more popular choice for entering the nursing field. These programs include additional courses in leadership, research, communication, public health, and other topics not usually covered in ADN programs. One example of these programs is found at Kettering College, which offers a BSN program meant to be completed in three years of year-round study.

Find out more about Ohio Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Dayton, OH

RN to BSN Programs in Dayton, OH

With more employers looking for nurses with a bachelor’s degree or higher, some nurses with their ADN are considering going back to school to earn their BSN. For these nurses, there are specially designed RN to BSN “bridge” programs that streamline the pathway to a bachelor’s degree by taking into account previous coursework.

RN to BSN Programs

Many RN to BSN programs are offered in an online format, allowing nurses to continue working and taking classes from home whenever their schedule allows. As an example, the RN to BSN program at Wright State University is in a self-paced online format and can be completed in a few as 15 months.

Find out more about Ohio RN to BSN Programs.

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

If you're a registered nurse looking to advance your career, RN to BSN and MSN programs offer flexible paths to higher education. These programs build on your experience and often fit around work schedules. The table below lists schools with their locations, key program features, and links to learn more. Explore options to find a program that matches your goals and helps you grow in the nursing field.