Ohio at a Glance
Median LPN salary: $60,600/year → Median RN salary: $82,510/year (BLS 2025 data)
Your raise: ~$21,910/year | Community college tuition: $4,622–$5,274/year in-state
Evening/weekend programs: Stark State (Akron), Tri-C (Cleveland) | Hybrid option: Butler Tech (Hamilton)
Ohio Board of Nursing: nursing.ohio.gov · (614) 466-3947
Fastest & Most Affordable LPN to RN Routes in Ohio
Ohio has more LPN-to-RN bridge options than most states, and the community college prices are hard to beat anywhere in the country. Here are the programs we verified, organized by what matters most to a working nurse: schedule flexibility, total cost, and how quickly you can finish.
Stark State College — LPN to RN Bridge
Stark State is one of the few Ohio programs with a dedicated evening/weekend track at their Akron campus — designed specifically for LPNs who can't quit their day jobs. The main North Canton campus runs traditional day classes. Fall 2026 applications for the Akron evening/weekend cohort are open now.
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) — LPN to RN ACCESS Track
The cheapest LPN-to-RN path in Ohio. Tri-C's ACCESS track admits LPNs in the spring semester only at the Eastern Campus. It's a modified evening/weekend schedule with a concept-based curriculum. Requires a 2.75 GPA and B or higher in all science coursework. Tri-C also partners with ODJFS and the Cleveland Food Bank to help students facing financial hardship while in school.
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — LPN to RN Progression
Cincinnati State admits LPN bridge students in both spring and summer semesters, giving you two entry points per year. Their NCLEX pass rate (98%) is well above both the Ohio average (89.55%) and the national average (91.16%). Limited seats — contact a nursing advisor early. Cincinnati State is also the only local college offering a complete LPN → RN → BSN pathway all under one roof.
Butler Tech — LPN to RN Bridge (Hybrid)
Butler Tech's hybrid format is one of the most schedule-friendly in Ohio — only one full day on campus per week, with the rest online. Multiple start dates: August 2026 (LeSourdsville), October 2026 (Bioscience Center), and January 2027 (LeSourdsville). Application deadlines run 6–8 weeks before each start date.
Professional Skills Institute (PSI) — LPN to RN Bridge
PSI serves the Toledo area with both day and evening options. Their program includes 270 hours of clinical training starting in the first quarter. All instructors hold MSN degrees with at least 3 years of nursing experience. Hybrid format mixes online lectures with hands-on campus labs.
Academia Medical Institute (AMI) — LPN to RN Bridge
AMI offers a 12-month diploma program (not a degree) for LPNs wanting the fastest path to RN licensure in the Cleveland area. Note: you must be an Ohio resident and provide proof of residency. Graduates receive a diploma and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. If you want a degree, consider Tri-C's ADN track instead.
✅ Pro tip for working moms: Butler Tech's hybrid format (1 day on campus + online) and Stark State Akron's evening/weekend track are the two best options if you're working full-time and raising kids. Both let you keep your LPN job and paycheck while finishing your RN.
Online Option: Excelsior University (Study from Anywhere in Ohio)
If none of the campus-based programs fit your schedule, Excelsior University offers a fully online LPN-to-RN associate degree. You study online at your own pace in 8-week courses, and complete clinical requirements at a facility near you in Ohio.
Excelsior University — AAS in Nursing (Online)
Excelsior's model is ideal if you're in a rural Ohio area without a nearby community college bridge program. You take all theory courses online and arrange clinicals at a healthcare facility where you already work or near your home. LPNs get 3 credits automatically for holding an active license, plus you can transfer additional credits from prior coursework.
⚠️ Important: Excelsior's associate-level nursing program does not carry separate ACEN accreditation — only their bachelor's-level component does. Some Ohio employers may prefer graduates from ACEN-accredited programs. If ACEN accreditation matters to you (or to your employer), stick with Stark State, Tri-C, or Cincinnati State. Check with your employer before enrolling.
Ohio LPN to RN Cost Comparison
Here's how total estimated program costs compare across Ohio's bridge programs. Community colleges are the clear winners on price.
| Program | Type | Estimated Total Cost | Evening/Online? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-C (Cleveland) | Community College ADN | ~$7,000–$9,200 | Evening/weekend |
| Stark State (N. Canton/Akron) | Community College ADN | ~$9,500–$14,000 | Evening/weekend (Akron) |
| Cincinnati State | Community College ADN | ~$8,000–$10,500 | Flexible scheduling |
| Butler Tech | Career-Tech Diploma | ~$10,000 | Hybrid (mostly online) |
| PSI (Toledo) | Career School | Contact for pricing | Day + evening hybrid |
| Excelsior University | Online ADN | ~$7,400–$15,000+ | 100% online + local clinicals |
Costs are estimated based on in-state tuition rates for 2025–2026 and do not include books, uniforms, background checks, or clinical fees. Financial aid (Pell Grants, state grants) can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Always confirm current tuition directly with the school.
Ohio LPN vs RN Salary: What Your Raise Looks Like
Based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data for Ohio:
| Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Your Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | ~$42,000 | ~$66,980 | +$24,980 |
| Median (typical) | $60,600 | $82,510 | +$21,910 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | ~$59,870 | ~$105,290 | +$45,420 |
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025, SOC codes 29-1141 (RN) and 29-2061 (LPN). Ohio employs approximately 133,300 RNs statewide.
📊 ROI math: At the median salary difference of $21,910/year, even the most expensive community college option (~$14,000) pays for itself in about 8 months of RN wages. The cheapest path (Tri-C at ~$7,000) pays back in under 4 months.
Top-paying Ohio metro areas for RNs: Cincinnati ($89,940 average), Columbus ($88,000+), Cleveland ($87,000+). Even smaller cities like Toledo ($86,600) pay competitively. Ohio's cost of living runs about 8% below the national average, so your RN salary stretches further here than in coastal states.
What You Need to Get In (Ohio Requirements)
Requirements vary by school, but most Ohio LPN-to-RN bridge programs require:
- Active, unencumbered Ohio LPN license (or multistate NLC license — Ohio is a compact state)
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA: 2.5 at most schools; Tri-C requires 2.75
- Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, English Composition, General Psychology, College Math or Statistics (some also require Chemistry and Nutrition)
- Entrance exam: TEAS (most common) or HESI A2
- BCI & FBI background check (Ohio uses both state and federal)
- Current CPR/BLS certification (American Heart Association)
- Immunizations: MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, annual flu shot, negative TB test
- Physical exam completed within the past 12 months
✅ Get your prerequisites done first. Most Ohio community colleges let you take prerequisite courses (A&P, Micro, Psych, English) before applying to the bridge program. This means you can chip away at these while still working as an LPN, so when a bridge seat opens up, you're ready. Tri-C, Stark State, and Cincinnati State all offer these prerequisite courses at their low community college tuition rates.
Paying for It: Ohio Financial Aid
Don't let tuition stop you. Even the community college prices above can be reduced further:
- Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year that you don't repay. Complete the FAFSA — even if you think you won't qualify.
- Ohio College Opportunity Grant: State grant for Ohio residents with financial need attending Ohio public colleges.
- Employer tuition assistance: Many Ohio hospitals (Cleveland Clinic, OhioHealth, UC Health, TriHealth) offer $3,000–$10,000/year in tuition reimbursement for employees advancing from LPN to RN. Ask your HR department.
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship: Full tuition + living stipend if you commit to working in an underserved area after graduation.
- Tri-C financial hardship: Tri-C specifically partners with ODJFS and the Cleveland Food Bank to support students facing financial challenges during the program.
📋 Real math: Tri-C tuition (~$7,000 total) minus a Pell Grant ($7,395/year) = you could graduate owing $0 out of pocket. Even if your Pell is smaller, the gap is likely manageable. Don't skip the FAFSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do an LPN to RN program in Ohio with evening or weekend classes?
Yes. Stark State College (Akron campus) offers evening and weekend classes, and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) runs a modified evening/weekend ACCESS track at their Eastern Campus in Cleveland. Butler Tech also uses a hybrid format with only one day on campus per week — the rest is online.
What is the cheapest LPN to RN program in Ohio?
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) has the lowest in-state tuition in Ohio at approximately $4,622/year. For a 3–4 semester LPN-to-RN bridge, total nursing tuition runs roughly $7,000–$9,200 before financial aid.
How much more do RNs make than LPNs in Ohio?
Based on 2025 BLS data, the median Ohio RN salary is $82,510/year while the median LPN salary is $60,600/year — a difference of about $21,910 per year. In Cincinnati, the gap is even larger.
Can I complete an LPN to RN program entirely online in Ohio?
No fully online programs exist because clinical hours must be completed in person. However, Excelsior University offers online coursework with clinicals arranged at a facility near you. Butler Tech's hybrid program is also mostly online (2–3 days of asynchronous online work per week).
Is Ohio a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state?
Yes. Ohio participates in the NLC, which means your Ohio RN license allows you to practice in 40+ other compact states without getting a separate license in each one.
Ohio Board of Nursing Contact
Ohio Board of Nursing
Use the eLicense portal for license applications, renewals, and verification. Ohio RN licenses renew every 2 years and require 24 contact hours of continuing education (including 1 hour of Ohio nursing law).
Find LPN to RN Programs in Other States
Looking for programs outside Ohio? We have dedicated guides for all 50 states plus Washington D.C.