University of Cincinnati College of Nursing: Pathways, Partners & Practical Details (2026)
UC’s College of Nursing sits on the Uptown campus in Cincinnati’s Academic Health Center corridor, steps from major pediatric, trauma, and academic medical partners. This guide mirrors the college’s official academic programs index, bursar tuition tables, Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN tuition schedule, and Ohio Board of Nursing calendar-year 2024 NCLEX memorandum—while clearly separating the regional UC Blue Ash associate RN program from the Uptown BSN and Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN pathways. Confirm every figure with the University of Cincinnati and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UC nursing couples direct-admit undergraduate nursing with co-ops, Dedicated Education Units, and simulation cited on official BSN pages, while the Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN fills the second-degree lane without a separate ABSN brand. Planning for the new Holmes Hospital nursing space signals continued investment in the Academic Health Center footprint.
Overview & Why Students Choose UC College of Nursing
From Procter Hall on UC’s Uptown campus, the College of Nursing connects undergraduates and graduate students to Cincinnati’s Academic Health Center—home to UC Health, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and TriHealth partnerships highlighted in official clinical materials. The college promotes more than 130 years of nursing education and advertises direct-admit BSN placement for students who meet progression standards, a five-semester Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN for bachelor-prepared career changers, and an extensive menu of post-licensure MSN, DNP, and PhD options.
Marketing materials emphasize co-operative education, Dedicated Education Units, global immersion (for example, Thailand study abroad cited in student stories), and substantial scholarship awards announced for academic year 2026 on the public homepage. Those differentiators matter for applicants weighing a large public research university with Level I trauma and Level IV maternity exposure referenced in Accelerated MSN copy.
The Ohio Board of Nursing calendar-year 2024 NCLEX memorandum (March 11, 2025) provides statewide averages and calls out programs below the 95%-of-national benchmark. It lists University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College at 80% first-time (52 of 65 candidates)—that associate RN program is a regional campus, separate from the College of Nursing’s Uptown Traditional BSN and Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN. Confirm College of Nursing cohort lines in future Board publications.
Reasons students choose UC College of Nursing
Cincinnati clinical depth
Official BSN materials spotlight Cincinnati Children’s, UC Health, and TriHealth among regional clinical partners—ideal for students targeting pediatric quaternary care, adult academic medicine, and community-integrated networks.
Direct-admit BSN with experiential design
The college markets assured nursing-major placement when academic and program requirements are met, plus co-ops, DEU-style immersion, simulation labs, and optional global immersion.
Accelerated MSN for second-degree students
The five-semester Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN condenses RN preparation into a graduate framework for applicants with a prior non-nursing bachelor degree—distinct from ABSN branding but similar intent.
APRN breadth online and on campus
MSN and DNP pathways span adult acute and primary care, family, psychiatric mental health, pediatric acute care, nurse midwifery, nurse anesthesia, systems leadership, occupational health, public health nursing, and certificates.
Public tuition structure with metro rates
Ohio and metropolitan Indiana/Kentucky residents receive differentiated Accelerated MSN pricing, and UC’s tuition guarantee model stabilizes undergraduate cohort billing for up to four or five years (per bursar materials).
Nursing Programs Offered
The structure below follows the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing Academic Programs index (undergraduate and graduate tables). It distinguishes pre-licensure pathways that prepare first-time RN candidates for NCLEX-RN from post-licensure completion and APRN education.
Pre-licensure & first professional nursing degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
Direct-admit, four-year BSN housed in the College of Nursing; official materials emphasize nursing coursework from the start, experiential learning, and NCLEX-RN preparation. Apply through UC undergraduate admissions.
Accelerated Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at the University of Cincinnati the program is called the Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN. It is a five-semester, full-time pathway for applicants with a prior non-nursing bachelor degree; it leads to an MSN while preparing graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure. Official materials use the same regional clinical partner descriptions as the BSN and reference immersive simulation. Applications route through NursingCAS per the college page.
Post-licensure undergraduate completion
RN to BSN Online
Online BSN completion program for licensed RNs seeking the baccalaureate credential; delivery and pacing details live on the dedicated RN-to-BSN marketing page.
Graduate nursing (APRN, leadership, education)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
According to the graduate programs table, concentrations include adult-gerontology acute and primary care NP tracks, family NP, psychiatric mental health NP (including post-master certificate online), nurse midwifery (online), nursing education (online), systems leadership, women’s health NP (online), pediatric acute care NP, post-master DNP transition, and more—often mixing campus and distance modalities.
Post-BSN & post-MSN certificates
Certificates listed on the academic programs page cover Caring for the Underserved, Nurse-Led Innovation, Nursing Education, Public Health Nursing, APRN specialty boosts, and other focused credentials.
Doctoral & research
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BSN-to-DNP options span nurse anesthesia, adult acute care, family, psychiatric mental health, occupational health, pediatric acute care, public health nursing, systems leadership, and related specialties; a separate post-MSN DNP track is listed for master’s-prepared nurses.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Research doctorate for nurses pursuing faculty or scientist roles; details on the college’s PhD program page.
Related undergraduate offering (interdisciplinary)
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Listed under undergraduate programs with collaboration through the College of Medicine—distinct from the BSN but relevant to population-health minded applicants.
University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College operates a two-year associate RN (Nursing Technology) program with its own accreditation, tuition bands, and Ohio Board of Nursing reporting. It is not the same as the College of Nursing BSN on Uptown; applicants comparing pathways should review both catalogs.
The college’s accreditation page states CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificates, with ACME and COA oversight for midwifery and nurse anesthesia respectively. Ohio Board of Nursing full approval is cited for the Traditional BSN and Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN—confirm any updates with CCNE, COA/ACME, and the Board.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Ohio’s public reporting begins with the Calendar Year 2024 NCLEX Pass Rates memorandum (Ohio Board of Nursing, March 11, 2025). For first-time candidates who tested within six months of program completion, it lists a national average NCLEX-RN pass rate of 91.16%, an Ohio average of 89.55%, and a state benchmark of 86.60% (95% of the national average).
The same memorandum includes University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College in the multi-year monitoring category with a 2024 first-time pass rate of 80.00% (52 passed / 65 tested). Blue Ash is a regional campus associate RN program—not the Uptown College of Nursing BSN or Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN. UC Blue Ash separately publishes an 80.30% first-time rate for 2024 on its consumer success page; minor rounding differences can appear between school and board tables—confirm methodology with each source.
For the College of Nursing’s Traditional BSN and Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN, continue to use Ohio Board pass-rate publications (and any UC consumer disclosures you obtain directly) rather than inferring outcomes from other UC campuses.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ohio average NCLEX-RN first-time (CY 2024) | 89.55% (Ohio Board of Nursing memorandum, Mar 11, 2025) |
| National average NCLEX-RN first-time (CY 2024) | 91.16% (same memorandum, citing NCSBN aggregates) |
| Ohio benchmark (95% of national) | 86.60% (same memorandum) |
| UC Blue Ash College ADN / RN Tech first-time (CY 2024) | 80.00% (52/65) per Ohio BON memorandum—separate campus from College of Nursing |
| UC College of Nursing Uptown BSN / Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN | See latest Ohio BON pass-rate tables and school disclosures for cohort-specific percentages |
| Source | Ohio BON 2024 NCLEX Pass Rate Report (PDF); UC Blue Ash Nursing Success Rates; Ohio Board of Nursing. Confirm current cohort data with the Board and the college. |
NCLEX outcomes change every cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Ohio Board of Nursing and the specific program office. Do not mix data from UC Blue Ash associate nursing with UC College of Nursing Uptown pathways.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants must navigate University of Cincinnati admissions rules, clinical clearance expectations, visa constraints, and Ohio Board of Nursing licensure prerequisites. UC publishes centralized international enrollment resources as well as pathway-specific nursing instructions—always read the checklist for your degree level (undergraduate vs Accelerated MSN vs graduate certificate).
- English-language proficiency: Confirm which exams and minimum scores UC and the College of Nursing accept for your entry term.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Plan for official translations and evaluator requirements from UC Graduate School or Undergraduate Admissions, plus any CGFNS steps Ohio requires before NCLEX authorization.
- Ohio Board of Nursing: Licensure by examination or endorsement may require additional coursework reviews; policies change—use the Board’s current applicant handbooks.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical practica may limit enrollment for certain visa statuses; coordinate early with UC International Services and the college.
This guidance is not legal advice. Verify each requirement with UC International, College of Nursing admissions, and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN: The college advertises direct admission with progression standards rather than a later competitive nursing application, provided students meet published academic and program requirements. First-year applications flow through UC Undergraduate Admissions; follow instructions for the Health Sciences / nursing major.
Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN: Designed for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor degree; expect intensive sciences prerequisites and a NursingCAS application as linked from the college’s Accelerated MSN admissions page.
RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, certificates: Each pathway carries different admission portfolios (RN license verification, APRN certification, statistics coursework, etc.). Use the specific program tabs on Academic Programs as your checklist.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN first-year | Set by UC Admissions | Watch UC’s first-year application portal for priority vs regular decision dates. |
| Accelerated MSN | NursingCAS deadlines | Confirm cohort start dates, orientation, and prerequisite completion windows with graduate admissions. |
| RN-to-BSN & graduate certificates | Rolling / term-specific | Online programs often admit across semesters; verify with program managers. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA / prerequisites | Varies by pathway; confirm on pathway admissions pages |
| TEAS / HESI | Not confirmed on the brief marketing pages reviewed; ask admissions directly |
| Contacts | 513-558-5500 (main college line per Directions page); pathway-specific emails on admissions microsites |
Honest applicant tips
Because the college emphasizes immersive clinical experiences in major Cincinnati health systems, plan finances (including UC’s nursing program fees and possible metro surcharges) before you commit. Second-degree Accelerated MSN applicants should finish sciences early and budget for full-time immersion. RN-to-BSN students should confirm how transfer credits map before enrolling.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The University of Cincinnati uses cohort-based Cincinnati Tuition Guarantee rates for undergraduates and publishes separate graduate tuition for the Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN. Nursing students also pay college-specific program fees. Always confirm bill details with the UC Bursar and College of Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| UC Uptown tuition & fees (2025-26 cohort, Ohio resident, full-time per semester) | $7,197 subtotal before program fees (instructional, general, campus life/distance learning, and ITIE components per bursar table) |
| College of Nursing undergraduate program fee (2025-26, full-time per semester) | $338 program fee for Nursing (29) undergraduate on-campus or distance programs (bursar program fee schedule) |
| Estimated subtotal (Ohio resident BSN, tuition + nursing fee) | $7,535 per semester before other charges (sum of rows above; excludes housing, course fees, health insurance) |
| Non-resident UC Uptown full-time (2025-26 cohort) | $14,864 per semester per incoming undergraduate summary table—plus nursing program fee and surcharges if applicable |
| Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN (2025-26, nursing tuition page) | Ohio resident: $8,359/semester full-time (10+ credits) or $836/credit part-time (≤9 credits). Metro IN/KY: $8,609 / $861. Non-resident: $14,228 / $1,423. Plus graduate nursing program fees per bursar. |
| Source | UC Tuition & Fees; UC Program Fees; Accelerated MSN Tuition & Fees. Confirm with UC Student Financial Services. |
The college advertises about $2.5 million in nursing scholarships for academic year 2026 on its homepage; award criteria vary. File the FAFSA and consult UC Financial Aid for institutional and federal options.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Cincinnati’s referral hospitals and community networks employ thousands of nurses; still, cite only school- or board-published figures when quoting placement, salary, or certification outcomes.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN context (CY 2024) | Ohio average first-time pass rate 89.55%; UC Blue Ash associate program 80.00% (52/65) per Ohio BON memorandum—separate from Uptown College of Nursing |
| UC Blue Ash RN program job placement (AY 2023-24 graduates, school-reported) | Reported 95% on UC Blue Ash success page; confirm methodology and newer years with the campus |
| College of Nursing Uptown employment / salary dashboards | Not publicly disclosed on the brief pages cited in this guide; request outcomes reports directly from the college |
| Source | Ohio BON 2024 NCLEX report; UC Blue Ash success rates; confirm College of Nursing data separately. |
Is UC College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
The college suits learners who want large-public-university resources, Bearcats athletics and campus life, and predictable Ohio-resident tuition bands—with the caveat that nursing adds program fees and clinical compliance steps.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want early clinical exposure at Cincinnati Children’s, UC Health, TriHealth, and other partners listed by the college.
- Value co-ops, Dedicated Education Units, simulation, and optional global nursing electives.
- Need both pre-licensure (BSN or Accelerated MSN) and later graduate APRN/DNP options inside one institution.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Prefer a very small private cohort away from urban campuses.
- Need the lowest absolute sticker price without considering aid—compare UC totals with regional community colleges for ADN pathways.
- Cannot relocate for the full-time Accelerated MSN immersion model.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Cincinnati anchors complex care for Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. UC College of Nursing highlights pediatric, trauma, and maternity-rich partners—ideal if you want urban tertiary exposure while still accessing community agencies for public health rotations.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center | Pediatric quaternary center referenced on UC nursing clinical pages for student experiences. |
| UC Health | Academic health system tied to the University of Cincinnati; includes adult hospitals supporting clinical education. |
| TriHealth | Faith-based multi-hospital system cited among Cincinnati clinical partners. |
| Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky | Community clinics, public health departments, and ambulatory networks round out population-focused rotations. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Procter Hall on Vine Street is the college’s visible hub for advising, skills labs, and student gatherings, with visitor parking guidance toward the Kingsgate Garage near University Hall. UC promotes interprofessional learning with medicine, allied health, and pharmacy neighbors in the Academic Health Center while Bearcat student life spans NCAA Division I athletics, hundreds of student organizations, and undergraduate research showcases. Simulation facilities and dedicated student-success coaching appear throughout official BSN and Accelerated MSN materials—confirm access policies with the college.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Cincinnati, OH
- Address
- Procter Hall, 3110 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45221, US
- Telephone
- 513-558-5500 (main college, per Directions page)
- Website
- nursing.uc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit nursing.uc.edu and download the curriculum / major map for Traditional BSN or Accelerated MSN.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degrees does the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing offer?
The academic programs index lists a direct-admit Traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN online, Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN, MSN concentrations, BSN-to-DNP tracks, post-MSN DNP, PhD, graduate certificates, and an interdisciplinary BS in Public Health through the College of Medicine. Always confirm active plans with the college.
How should I interpret NCLEX data for UC nursing?
Use Ohio Board of Nursing pass-rate memoranda for regulatory statistics. The March 11, 2025 calendar-year 2024 report cites an 89.55 percent Ohio average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate and lists University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College at 80.00 percent first-time (52 of 65), which is a separate regional associate program from the Uptown College of Nursing BSN and Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN.
Does UC use an ABSN for second-degree students?
The college brands its second-degree pre-licensure pathway as the Accelerated Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing—a five-semester full-time program leading toward RN licensure—rather than labeling it ABSN.
What is UC Uptown nursing undergraduate tuition for Ohio residents?
For the 2025-26 undergraduate cohort, UC publishes 7,197 dollars per semester in tuition and mandatory fees for full-time UC Uptown Ohio residents, plus a 338 dollar College of Nursing program fee per semester for full-time nursing majors—about 7,535 dollars combined before housing or other charges.
What does Accelerated MSN tuition cost?
The 2025-26 schedule lists 8,359 dollars per semester for Ohio residents enrolled full-time (ten or more credits), 8,609 dollars for metropolitan Indiana or Kentucky residents, and 14,228 dollars for non-residents, with part-time per-credit rates of 836, 861, and 1,423 dollars respectively.
Where do UC nursing students complete clinicals?
Official BSN marketing names Cincinnati Children’s, UC Health, and TriHealth among Cincinnati clinical partners, plus co-ops, Dedicated Education Units, and global experiences described on experiential learning pages.
Is UC nursing accredited?
The accreditation page states CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs, with additional accreditors for midwifery and anesthesia, and cites Ohio Board of Nursing full approval for the Traditional BSN and Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN.
Is the TEAS exam required for UC nursing?
Entrance testing policies vary by pathway and year. Confirm directly with UC undergraduate admissions for BSN and with graduate admissions or NursingCAS instructions for the Accelerated MSN.
How do I visit Procter Hall?
The Directions page lists Procter Hall at 3110 Vine Street, visitor parking at the Kingsgate University Hall Garage, and the main college phone 513-558-5500.
References
- University of Cincinnati College of Nursing — academic programsnursing.uc.edu/academic-programs.html
- UC College of Nursing — accreditationnursing.uc.edu/about-us/accreditation.html
- UC Bursar — tuition & feesuc.edu/about/bursar/tuition-fees.html
- UC Bursar — program fees (Nursing)uc.edu/about/bursar/tuition-fees/program-fees.html
- Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN — tuition & feesAccelerated MSN tuition page
- UC College of Nursing — contact / directionsnursing.uc.edu/about-us/contact-us.html
- Ohio Board of Nursingnursing.ohio.gov
- Ohio BON — 2024 NCLEX pass rate report (PDF)2024 Pass Rate Report PDF
- UC Blue Ash — nursing success ratesUC Blue Ash success rates
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX sourcing against Ohio Board memoranda, tuition figures against UC bursar and Accelerated MSN pages, and program lists against the college academic programs index.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy