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 is a five-semester hybrid program preparing students for NCLEX-RN licensure. The curriculum interweaves nursing theory, sciences, and general education through classroom, lab, and clinical experiences, emphasizing patient-centered care, caring, diversity, evidence-based practice, and ethical decision-making. Full-time and part-time tracks are available, with advanced placement for LPNs and military. Prerequisites include targeted coursework, a 2.5 GPA, and nurse aide training. Accredited by ACEN and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, the program boasts strong NCLEX pass rates: 98.1% in 2023 (105 students) and 92.08% in 2024 (101 students). Graduates pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, rehabilitation, and home health.

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 hybrid RN to BSN program is designed for registered nurses ready to elevate their careers. Building on an associate's degree or diploma, this 120-121 credit hour degree focuses on leadership, evidence-based practice, and cultural competency. The curriculum includes nursing theory, community health, pathophysiology, pharmacology, ethics, statistics, and research, culminating in a capstone project. Applicants must hold a valid RN license and have graduated from an accredited program; because this is a post-licensure bachelor's completion pathway, no ACT/SAT is required for admission. Graduates are prepared for management roles and meet the growing 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.

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 accelerated BSN program integrates nursing theory, clinical practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Designed for pre-licensure students, the curriculum spans eight or nine semesters with summer classes, enabling earlier entry into the field. The CCNE-accredited program—also approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing—offers service learning, study abroad, and student success resources. In 2024, 137 graduates achieved a robust 95.62% NCLEX pass rate, reflecting strong preparation. Standardized ACT/SAT requirements for admission are not detailed; interested applicants should confirm with the university. BSN graduates are equipped for roles in hospitals, clinics, and community settings.

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) is an on-campus program in Springfield, Ohio, that fuses nursing fundamentals with a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the program emphasizes intellectual inquiry, compassion, and integrity, preparing graduates for generalist practice, leadership, and advanced study. Students benefit from small classes, accessible faculty, and extensive clinical placements across hospitals and community agencies. As a military-friendly institution with Evangelical Lutheran Church affiliation, Wittenberg supports diverse learners. Employers increasingly favor BSN-prepared nurses, and nursing is rated the most trusted profession. NCLEX pass rates were 93.3% in 2023 and 88.2% in 2024. No ACT/SAT requirement is mentioned in program materials; prospective students should verify current testing policies.

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

Ohio Medical Career College's One Plus One Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a 90-week, 133-credit sequence designed for students to earn LPN licensure after 40 weeks, then continue into RN preparation. The curriculum covers safe care, health promotion, and physiological integrity, delivered in five 10-week terms with day and evening options. The college offers advanced placement for licensed LPNs. Note that the program holds provisional approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing. In 2023, the ADN program's NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate was 40.82% based on 49 test-takers. Graduates can work in hospitals and clinics, with a projected 7% RN job growth.

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

The University of Dayton’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program immerses students in hands-on learning from day one. With six specialized lab spaces replicating realistic clinical settings, students develop practical skills through directed practice. Clinical internships and partnerships with healthcare organizations provide real-world exposure. The curriculum emphasizes community building, health promotion, and patient care. Grounded in the Roman Catholic Marianist tradition, the program fosters the education of the whole person, developing compassion, leadership, and ethical practice. Faculty offer personalized attention, and undergraduate research opportunities culminate in the Stander Symposium. The Flyer Future Nurse Leader Award recognizes exceptional students. As a military-friendly campus, it welcomes veterans. ACT/SAT requirements and NCLEX pass rate data are not listed.

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.