Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's nursing program creates an unusual situation where strong in-state performance masks concerning national competitiveness. While graduates rank in the 60th percentile among Ohio nursing programs—a respectable showing in a state with 66 competing schools—they fall to just the 30th percentile nationally. This suggests Ohio's nursing market may be less competitive overall, making OSU's relative strength within the state somewhat misleading.

The financial picture reveals additional red flags. Graduates start at $71,175 but see their earnings decline to $69,060 by year four—a 3% drop that contradicts the typical nursing career trajectory. Though debt loads are manageable at $25,163 (below both state and national medians), the earning potential lags significantly behind top Ohio programs like Chamberlain ($83,188) and Kettering College ($79,505).

For parents weighing this investment, OSU's nursing program offers adequate preparation at a reasonable debt burden, but questions remain about why graduates struggle to advance their earnings over time. The program's middle-tier performance within Ohio and weak national standing suggest students might find better opportunities at smaller, specialized nursing schools that dominate the state's top rankings.