Nursing Programs in Dayton, OH

Last Updated On Aug 1, 2026

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

3 Min Read

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Dayton

Rankings help prospective students compare nursing programs and identify which schools best prepare graduates for licensure. Registerednursing.org has created rankings for the Best Nursing Schools in Dayton using NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criterion. For full details, see our methodology: https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Pass rates improved from 2023 to 2024 while the number of students tested declined, suggesting a more selective or better-prepared cohort.

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

Top Performing Schools

Cedarville University leads with a near-perfect multi-year average, indicating consistently strong outcomes.

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

Pass Rate by Program Size

Medium-sized programs show the highest average pass rate, while small programs lag behind.

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

Consistently High Performing Schools

Three schools maintained average pass rates above 90% across multiple years, demonstrating consistent quality.

Cedarville University: 96.9% average pass rate
Wittenberg University: 90.63% average pass rate
Clark State College: 90% average pass rate

Sinclair Community College

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

Associate - Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Sinclair Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing prepares students for registered nurse licensure (NCLEX-RN) in five semesters. The curriculum blends nursing theory, clinical practice, general education, and sciences through classroom, lab, and clinical experiences. Students develop skills in patient-centered care, caring, diversity, evidence-based practice, and ethical decision-making. Career paths include hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, physicians' offices, home health, and clinics. The program offers full-time and part-time options, with advanced placement for LPNs and military. Prerequisites include specific courses, a 2.5 GPA, and nurse aide training. Accredited by ACEN and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, this program provides a strong foundation for a nursing career.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., State of Ohio Board of Nursing accredited
5-Semester program
Full-time and part-time options
2.5 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
Advanced placement for LPNs and military
Five-semester full-time completion
Nurse Aide training prerequisite

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

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Sinclair Community College's RN to BSN program helps registered nurses advance their careers. This hybrid program builds on your existing nursing education. It focuses on leadership, evidence-based practice, and cultural competency. You'll need a valid RN license and graduation from an accredited program. The curriculum includes courses in nursing theory, community health, and leadership. This degree enhances clinical skills and opens doors to management roles. It addresses a high demand for BSN-prepared nurses in the Dayton area.

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.

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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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares students for a rewarding career caring for others while meeting a critical need in healthcare. The three-year accelerated program includes summer classes, allowing students to graduate in eight or nine semesters and enter the field sooner. The curriculum emphasizes nursing theory, clinical practice, and interprofessional collaboration, with opportunities for service learning and study abroad. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, the program prepares graduates for the NCLEX licensure exam. Students develop skills to improve individual and community health, working in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. The program also offers resources like student success services and a supportive learning environment.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
3-Year program
Complete in three-year undergraduate program
Prepares for NCLEX
Summer classes for accelerated completion
Pre-licensure B.S.N. for new nurses

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 (BSN) program combines a rigorous nursing curriculum with a liberal arts foundation, preparing students for generalist practice and graduate study. The program emphasizes intellectual inquiry, compassion, and integrity within a diverse residential community. Graduates are equipped for careers in hospitals, clinics, community health, and leadership roles, meeting the growing employer demand for BSN-prepared nurses. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring high educational standards. Students benefit from hands-on clinical experiences, small class sizes, and a supportive faculty dedicated to their success. With nursing consistently rated as the most trusted profession, Wittenberg's BSN offers a pathway to a rewarding career in healthcare.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
Employers nationwide require BSN
Liberal arts nursing education
Accredited by CCNE
Nursing rated most honest 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

The One Plus One Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program at Ohio Medical Career College offers a unique pathway to nursing. In the first year, students complete a 40-week component preparing them for the NCLEX-PN exam to become Licensed Practical Nurses. The second year builds on that foundation, leading to eligibility for the NCLEX-RN and an associate degree. The curriculum covers safe care environments, health promotion, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Students learn through day or evening classes structured in five ten-week terms. An advanced placement option allows current LPNs to transfer credits and accelerate their RN journey. Graduates are prepared for roles in hospitals, clinics, and specialized practices as registered nurses. The program also provides a solid career outlook with growing demand for RNs nationwide.

90-Week program
133 total credit hours
Starts spring/summer/fall/winter
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-PN exam after first year
Advanced placement for LPNs
Day and evening class options
Five ten-week terms with breaks
Career outlook: 7% growth for RNs
Provisional approval by Ohio Board of Nursing

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH - Private 4-year - udayton.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing (BSN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

At the University of Dayton, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares you for a rewarding career in healthcare. You'll learn through hands-on experiences from day one. The department emphasizes community building and practical skills. Six specialized lab spaces let you practice in realistic settings. Internships and clinicals give you real-world exposure. You'll work closely with faculty, getting personalized attention. Research opportunities let you contribute to the field. The program covers essential nursing knowledge, from patient care to health promotion. You'll graduate ready to make a difference in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. The University of Dayton's nursing program is grounded in the Marianist tradition of educating the whole person. You'll develop not just clinical skills, but also compassion and leadership. This BSN program is your first step toward a fulfilling career as a registered nurse.

Hands-on educational experiences
Six unique lab spaces
Internships and clinical opportunities
Faculty research publication opportunities
Personalized instruction and attention
Flyer Future Nurse Leader Award
Annual Stander Symposium research showcase
Build healthy communities focus

*Analysis based on: NCES IPEDS 2025 survey data.

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

This list of RN to BSN/MSN programs gives a clear look at schools that help registered nurses advance their education. Below, a table shows each school's city and state, along with program highlights and links to the official program pages. This makes it easy to compare options and find the right fit for a nursing career. We have gathered this information to help make the search simpler and more direct.