Most important takeaways…
- Cleveland-area schools offer at least six NP specialties, including FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, PNP, WHNP, and AGACNP tracks.
- Most BSN-to-MSN programs in the region take about two to three years, while BSN-to-DNP tracks run three to four years.
- Several Ohio universities near Cleveland publish total tuition well under $50,000 for their MSN nurse practitioner programs.
- Major health systems like Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals partner with area schools for clinical placements.
On-campus cohorts anchored to a single health system or fully online programs that pair with local preceptors: Cleveland-area nurses have both paths available, along with several hybrid models in between. The region's density of major employers, including Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth, creates steady demand for advanced practice providers and gives NP students access to high-acuity clinical rotations that are harder to find in smaller markets.
Programs within a reasonable commute cover six common specialties, three degree levels, and price points ranging from public university rates to private tuition north of $50,000. Students regularly drive in from Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and Lorain County. Those considering a doctoral track can explore online DNP NP programs in Ohio alongside local options. With Ohio granting structured practice authority after a defined collaborative period, the credential carries real autonomy once you clear the post-licensure threshold.
Cleveland-Area NP Programs at a Glance
Every option below is reachable for nurses who work in Northeast Ohio, whether that means a campus inside the Cleveland metro or an online track that arranges clinical hours close to home. Listed annual tuition across these schools ranges from about $11,700 to $66,000, and delivery ranges from fully online to hybrid to on-campus. Degree pathways include MSN, BSN to DNP, and post-master's certificates for nurses who already hold a graduate degree.
Factors considered
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Program breadth and delivery format
- Published tuition and fees
- Regional access for Cleveland-area nurses
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- State cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities — bea.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University sits in University Circle and offers seven MSN specialties, including family, adult gerontology primary and acute care, women's health, psychiatric mental health, pediatric acute care, and neonatal. Core courses use a distance-friendly hybrid format that limits trips to campus, and clinical placements are arranged with Cleveland-area hospitals. Listed annual tuition is about $66,020, and the university's overall graduation rate is roughly 87%.
- 40 credit hours with 600 clinical hours
- Four semesters full-time, part-time available
- Distance-friendly format limits campus trips
- Prepares students for FNP-BC certification
- Clinical courses scheduled by enrollment
- 18-month program with 41 credit hours
- 600 clinical hours required
- Only eight campus visits for distance students
- Dual degree options in bioethics, anthropology, and public health
- Post-graduate APRN certificates available
- 40 credit hours with at least 600 clinical hours
- Completes in 18 to 24 months
- Flight nursing specialty option
- Blended majors and joint degrees possible
- Intensive courses combined with online coursework
- 46 to 49 credit hours
- 720 clinical hours required
- Four consecutive semesters full-time or three years part-time
- Coursework covers psychopharmacology and family systems
- Clinical partnerships with Cleveland hospitals
- Post-graduate certificates available
- 38 credit hours with about 600 clinical hours
- Full-time completion in 12 months
- Hybrid format with intensive core courses
- Covers gynecologic, reproductive, and menopausal care
- Prepares students for WHNP certification
- 45 credit hours with more than 600 clinical hours
- Requires one year of pediatric experience
- Hybrid format with part-time plans
- Prepares students for the acute care pediatric certification exam
- Dual major and post-graduate certificate options
- 40 credit hours with 700 clinical hours
- 18-month full-time program
- Two years of NICU experience required
- Focus on neonatal intensive care
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Ursuline College
Ursuline College in Pepper Pike is the only school here located inside Cuyahoga County, and its nursing programs are built around serving Northeast Ohio health systems and community agencies. Offerings include MSN tracks in adult gerontology primary care, adult gerontology acute care, and psychiatric mental health, three matching post-graduate certificates for master's-prepared nurses, and a 24-month BSN to DNP in adult gerontology primary care. Listed annual tuition is about $38,490, and the college reports an overall graduation rate of roughly 67%.
- On-campus certificate for certified NPs and clinical nurse specialists
- Covers child, adolescent, and adult mental health
- Includes psychopharmacology and therapeutic communication
- Admission requires national board certification
- Two-course hybrid certificate
- Requires an MSN for admission
- Includes a clinical experience component
- Prepares students for AGACNP certification
- Hybrid post-graduate certificate
- For nurses who already hold a master's degree
- Focus on health maintenance and disease prevention
- Leads to NP certification
- On-campus track with fall and spring starts
- NLN Center of Excellence designation
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Minimum one year of RN experience
- $25 application fee
- Hybrid track with two start dates per year
- Minimum one year of RN experience required
- Prepares nurses for high-acuity care settings
- Admission decisions returned within two weeks
- Hybrid format with fall and spring starts
- 3.0 GPA minimum for admission
- Current Ohio RN license required
- Minimum one year of RN experience
- 24-month BSN to DNP pathway
- 75 total credit hours
- Capstone project required
- Some courses online, some face-to-face
- Full-time and part-time options
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Ohio State University
Ohio State offers the broadest specialty selection in the state, with MSN and BSN to DNP pathways in family, adult gerontology primary and acute care, pediatric primary and acute care, women's health, psychiatric mental health, and neonatal nursing, plus a dual nurse-midwifery and women's health track. Much of the coursework is delivered online, though most clinical students travel to Columbus for a few skills intensives in later semesters. Listed annual tuition is about $12,180 for Ohio residents and $38,958 for non-residents, and the university's overall graduation rate is roughly 88%.
- CCNE accredited pediatric primary care track
- On-campus program based in Columbus
- Clinical placements include the Wexner Medical Center
- About 16 to 20 clinical hours per week
- Prepares graduates for PNCB certification
- Multiple pathways, including MSN and BSN to DNP
- Available online or on campus
- Prepares students for national board certification
- Cares for patients age 13 and older
- 16 to 20 clinical hours weekly
- CCNE accredited
- On-campus acute care track
- Requires one year of RN experience
- Eligible for AGACNP certification
- Includes clinical practicum courses
- Post-master's study option available
- Uses simulation equipment for skills practice
- Hybrid format with courses online or on campus
- 600 clinical hours required
- Preceptors provided in Ohio
- Coursework covers psychopharmacology and neuroscience
- Clinicals in inpatient and outpatient settings
- Prepares students for APRN licensure
- On-campus women's health track
- Prepares students for NCC certification
- Full-time and part-time options
- Clinical travel within Ohio required
- Clinical skills laboratories and precepted sites
- Campus-based pediatric acute care track
- 600 clinical hours required
- Requires pediatric nursing experience
- Prepares students for CPNP-AC certification
- Clinical sites include Nationwide Children's Hospital
- Post-master's study plan available
- Dual certification eligibility in midwifery and women's health
- More than 1,000 clinical hours
- Campus-based program
- Covers pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care
- Post-master's option available
- Hybrid DNP with a three-year plan of study
- Full-time and part-time options
- Synchronous online classes with clinicals near home
- Earn an MSN along the way to the DNP
- Capstone and scholarly project required
- 10 concentration options across the DNP
- Offered online or on campus
- Three-year BSN to DNP pathway
- Earn the MSN partway through the program
- Eligible for APRN certification after the MSN
- Clinical placement assistance provided
- Scholarly project and capstone required
- Direct BSN to DNP pathway with an FNP concentration
- Three years, full-time or part-time
- MSN awarded partway through the program
- Clinical experiences at OSU Wexner Medical Center
- Core coursework completed online
- Holistic application review with a recorded interview
- Distance-enhanced hybrid format
- Requires 24 months of NICU experience
- Clinicals arranged near the student's community
- Multiple degree pathway options
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Dual Nurse-Midwifery and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Miami University
Miami University's graduate nursing offerings center on a single online family nurse practitioner MSN built for working nurses, with a 21-month plan of study and guaranteed clinical placement. Admission is limited to residents of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, and students attend a skills workshop in Oxford before clinicals begin. Listed annual tuition is about $14,420 for Ohio residents and $35,866 for non-residents, and the university's overall graduation rate is near 80%.
- 21-month hybrid program
- 630 clinical hours with placement guaranteed
- Residency in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, or Kentucky required
- Full-time or part-time with a fall start
- Reported 100% FNP certification pass rate for 2024
- On-campus skills workshop and test preparation
- 1,000 hours of RN clinical experience required for admission
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus offers online and hybrid MSN tracks in family, adult gerontology acute care, and psychiatric mental health, plus a post-graduate acute care certificate for master's-prepared nurses. Most programs finish in about 18 months, and clinical experiences are supported by scheduled campus immersions. Listed annual tuition is about $27,600, and the college's overall graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Online format with scheduled immersions
- 18 months, 48 credit hours, 500 clinical hours
- Prepares nurses for primary care across all ages
- High certification pass rates reported
- Hybrid program with on-campus immersions
- 18 months, 48 credit hours, 650 clinical hours
- Prepares nurses for high-acuity hospital settings
- Reported 100% first-time certification pass rate
- Average class size of 30
- Online format with three immersive experiences
- 18 months, 43 credit hours, 500 clinical hours
- Covers adult, pediatric, and geriatric psychiatric care
- Includes psychopharmacology and counseling skills
- For master's-prepared RNs adding acute care certification
- Hybrid online and face-to-face coursework
- Summer and fall cohort starts
- Preceptor and clinical site required before clinicals
- Pharmacology coursework within five years required
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Hybrid
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franciscan University of Steubenville runs a family nurse practitioner MSN track priced at $600 per credit, or about $28,800 in total program tuition. The six-semester plan mixes online coursework with clinical placements drawn from a network of more than 300 preceptors, and part-time study is available. Listed annual tuition is about $33,500, and the university's overall graduation rate is roughly 75%. Steubenville sits about two hours from Cleveland by car.
- 48 credit hours at $600 per credit
- Total program tuition of about $28,800
- Six semesters across fall, spring, and summer terms
- Part-time study available
- Clinical sites include physician offices with more than 300 preceptors
- Post-master's certificate available
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati runs one of the largest online NP portfolios in Ohio, with MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificate routes in family, adult gerontology primary and acute care, women's health, psychiatric mental health, pediatric acute care, and neonatal nursing. Several online tracks require no site visits at all, while the acute care programs use hybrid skills labs and on-campus immersions. Listed annual tuition is about $11,685 for Ohio residents and $27,019 for non-residents, and the university's overall graduation rate is near 75%.
- 100% online with asynchronous coursework
- No required site visits
- Three start terms per year
- One year of RN experience required for admission
- Reported certification pass rates above 95%
- Clinical planning support team provided
- Online program format
- Cares for patients age 13 and older
- Focus on preventive and chronic care
- Prepares graduates for community-based primary care roles
- 100% online with three start dates yearly
- Covers care from puberty through the lifespan
- Includes prenatal care and gynecologic management
- Prepares nurses for outpatient and inpatient settings
- Online neonatal specialty within the MSN
- Focus on complex neonatal care
- Part of the college's MSN program offerings
- Online with on-campus immersions
- 3.3 GPA minimum for admission
- Fall start with a June 1 application deadline
- Prepares students for FNP-BC and FNP-C certification
- Clinical site coordinator guidance included
- Online with in-person immersions
- $836 per credit
- Fall start with a June 1 application deadline
- Minimum one year of RN experience
- Prepares students for PMHNP certification exams
- Hybrid DNP with on-campus immersions
- $836 per credit
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- DNP project required
- Prepares students for AGPCNP certification
- Hybrid DNP with hands-on skills labs
- $836 per credit
- Limited to Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana residents
- Guaranteed local preceptors
- Prepares students for AGACNP certification
- Online coursework with on-campus immersions
- Requires one year of RN experience
- Prepares students for CPNP-BC certification
- Clinical site coordinator support provided
- Fall start with a June 1 application deadline
- Hybrid certificate for nurses who hold an MSN
- Prepares students for the CPNP-BC exam
- Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana residency required
- $836 per credit
- On-campus immersions included
- Online with clinical requirements
- Completes in as few as 16 months
- Requires an MSN and current RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Individualized program plan and support team
- Hybrid format with in-person labs
- Requires MSN and RN license
- Residency in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana
- Tuition from $836 per credit
- Fall semester start only
- Hybrid certificate with in-person clinicals
- Focus on patients age 13 and older
- Minimum 3.0 science GPA recommended
- One year of RN experience required
- State authorization limits apply
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Online
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Online
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate) — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate) — Hybrid
Ashland University
Ashland University offers a fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice with a family nurse practitioner concentration for BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses. The cohort model combines online coursework with residency requirements and a scholarly project, and graduates meet Ohio licensure requirements, with a gap analysis pathway for certified NPs. Listed annual tuition is about $29,940, and the university's overall graduation rate is roughly 61%. Ashland is about an hour from downtown Cleveland.
- 100% online Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Cohort-based structure with residency requirements
- Prepares students for AANPCB or ANCC certification
- 3.0 GPA minimum with an admission interview
- Transfer up to 9 graduate credits
- Scholarly project as the culminating experience
- Gap analysis available for certified NPs
Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Online
Cedarville University
Cedarville University pairs a Christian worldview with a family nurse practitioner MSN, plus doctorate-level adult gerontology acute care and pediatric primary care pathways. Students complete 800 clinical hours, and the MSN tracks require four on-campus intensives with six start dates a year. Listed annual tuition is about $36,950, and the university's overall graduation rate is roughly 73%.
- 45 credit hours with 800 clinical hours
- Six start dates per year
- Four on-campus clinical intensives
- Prepares students for AANPCB or ANCC certification
- Reported 98% job placement rate
- Part-time options available
- 45 credit hours with 800 clinical hours
- Online coursework with four on-campus intensives
- Prepares students for ANCC or AACN certification
- Scholarships up to $5,000 available
- Clinical placement assistance provided
- Hybrid DNP with a pediatric primary care concentration
- 800 clinical hours
- Prepares students for PNCB and ANCC certification
- Six start dates per year
- Low student-to-faculty ratio
- Hybrid DNP with four on-campus simulation experiences
- 800 clinical hours
- Trains students in invasive procedures
- Clinical placement coordinator support
- Career paths in ICUs, emergency departments, and cardiology
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Ohio University
Ohio University in Athens offers some of the most affordable post-master's routes in the state, with 20-credit certificates in family, adult gerontology acute care, and psychiatric mental health for nurses who already hold an MSN. A fully online BSN to DNP spans 70 credits and five concentrations, with Ohio residents paying $618 per credit. Listed annual tuition is about $14,158 in state and $24,838 out of state, and the university's overall graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- 70 credit hours over 12 semesters
- $43,260 total program tuition
- No entrance exam required
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- 100% online with on-campus intensives
- Transfer up to 9 credits
- 3.2 GPA minimum
- 70 credit hours with 1,000 clinical hours
- $618 per credit for Ohio residents
- Part-time options across 12 semesters
- No GRE required
- Periodic on-campus intensives
- 15% scholarship for veterans, alumni, and corporate partners
- 70 credit hours over 12 semesters
- $43,260 total program tuition
- 1,000 clinical hours required
- Asynchronous online coursework with intensives
- No entrance exam required
- Fall and spring start dates
- 40 credits across 11 courses
- 750 clinical practicum hours
- Six semesters part-time
- Online program format
- Prepares students for ANCC certification
- Community-based clinical settings
- 20 credit hours over three semesters
- $684 per credit for Ohio residents
- 750 clinical hours required
- No GRE required
- MSN degree and RN licensure required
- Two starts per year
- 20-credit online certificate
- For nurses who already hold a master's degree
- Covers assessment, diagnosis, and psychopharmacology
- Emphasizes culturally sensitive care
- Three-semester, 20-credit online certificate
- $785 per credit for Ohio residents
- 750 clinical hours included
- Fall start only
- Prepares students for the AGACNP-BC exam
- On-campus intensives and clinical skills workshops
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Online
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Online
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Online
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Online
NP Specialties Available in the Cleveland Metro
Not every school in the Cleveland metro offers every nurse practitioner specialty, so knowing which tracks are available where can save you time during your program search. The table below maps six common NP concentrations across seven area universities, based on 2025 to 2026 catalog data. Case Western Reserve and Kent State stand out for the breadth of their specialty offerings, while smaller programs like Walsh University and Youngstown State focus on a narrower set of tracks.
| School | FNP | AGNP | PMHNP | PNP | WHNP | AGACNP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cleveland State University | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Ursuline College | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Kent State University | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| University of Akron | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Walsh University | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Youngstown State University | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Online Vs. On-Campus Vs. Hybrid Program Formats
Program format determines how you balance graduate coursework with your nursing career, and Cleveland-area schools offer meaningful variety. Understanding what each label actually means helps you choose a path that fits your schedule without surprises.
What 'Hybrid' Really Means in Practice
Most NP programs in the Cleveland metro describe themselves as hybrid or online-friendly, but the specific requirements differ. Cleveland State University's MSN-FNP program offers 100% online coursework with just one required campus residency over the full 24-month program.1 Case Western Reserve University describes its FNP track as online/on-campus in a format designed to minimize campus trips, though the exact number of required visits is not publicly specified.2 Miami University's hybrid FNP includes an on-campus skills workshop alongside online coursework. Before enrolling, ask each program directly how many immersions, synchronous sessions, or weekend intensives are mandatory.
Clinical Hours Are Always Local
Regardless of how lectures and exams are delivered, clinical hours must be completed in person with a preceptor. Cleveland State requires 780 clinical hours for its FNP program, and those rotations happen at healthcare sites near your home, not online.1 A program labeled "online" means didactic coursework is remote; it does not eliminate the commitment to supervised patient care. Plan for these hours when evaluating your work schedule.
Formats That Work for Shift Nurses
Working RNs juggling 12-hour shifts often succeed with asynchronous coursework that allows them to study on off-days rather than logging in at fixed times. Part-time pacing spreads credit loads across more semesters, reducing weekly demands. Programs with weekend intensives concentrate campus time into manageable blocks, though they require advance scheduling. University of Cincinnati's FNP program, for example, is 100% online with no site visits and asynchronous delivery, making it accessible to Cleveland-area students seeking maximum flexibility.
Ohio Board of Nursing Approval Matters
Ohio residents can enroll in nationally available online NP programs, but not every out-of-state school holds Ohio State Board of Nursing approval. Before committing to a program based elsewhere, confirm it meets Ohio's requirements for APRN licensure. Programs without state approval may create complications when you apply for your certificate to practice.
MSN, DNP, and Post-Master's Certificate Pathways
For nurses in the Cleveland area weighing their next credential, the three main pathways each serve a different career stage. The BSN-to-MSN route remains the most common entry into nurse practitioner practice, typically requiring around 40 to 48 credits and about two years of study. The BSN-to-DNP pathway is growing in popularity as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing continues to promote doctoral preparation as the future standard for advanced practice, though Ohio does not currently require a DNP for NP licensure. Post-master's certificates are ideal for NPs who already hold an MSN and want to add a second specialty, such as moving from FNP to PMHNP, with a shorter credit load of roughly 35 credits.
Affordable NP Programs in the Cleveland Area
Cost is a major factor for working nurses weighing NP programs, and several Ohio schools within reach of Cleveland offer competitive tuition. The table below compares published tuition rates and average net prices after financial aid. Keep in mind that graduate tuition for NP programs may differ from the undergraduate figures listed here, so contact each school's admissions office for program-specific cost details.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price | Student-to-Faculty Ratio | NP Program Highlighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown | $6,848 | $7,028 | $12,767 | 20:1 | Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP (Post-Master's Certificate, Online) |
| University of Akron | Akron | $10,125 | $15,885 | $13,946 | 17:1 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Post-MSN Certificate, Campus) |
| Miami University, Hamilton | Hamilton | $16,359 | $37,399 | $11,286 | 12:1 | Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN, Hybrid) |
| Miami University, Middletown | Middletown | N/A | N/A | $10,809 | 15:1 | Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN, Hybrid) |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Columbus | $22,602 | $22,602 | $10,420 | 8:1 | Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN, Online) |
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Cleveland?
The path from BSN to licensed nurse practitioner follows a clear sequence, but the calendar time varies depending on the degree track you choose and whether you study full-time or part-time. Most Cleveland-area MSN programs can be completed in about two years of full-time study (roughly 47 credits at Cleveland State, for example), while part-time students typically finish in three to four years. BSN-to-DNP tracks run three to four years full-time. If you already hold an MSN and want to add a second population focus, post-master's certificates generally take 12 to 18 months.
Clinical Placements and Local Hospital Partnerships
Access to world-class clinical sites may be one of Cleveland's greatest advantages for NP students, and how a school manages that access can make or break your experience in a program.
Who Coordinates Your Placements
One of the most important questions to ask any NP program is whether the school coordinates clinical placements on your behalf or expects you to find your own preceptors. This distinction matters enormously when you are working full-time and cannot spend weeks cold-calling physician offices. For a deeper look at what clinical hours involve, see our guide to nurse practitioner clinical rotations.
Cleveland State University's School of Nursing operates on a school-coordinated placement model and holds formal affiliation agreements with Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth.1 That structure means clinical coordinators manage the logistics of matching students with approved sites, rather than leaving that burden to the student.
Case Western Reserve University maintains established academic affiliations with University Hospitals and MetroHealth, and a working relationship with Cleveland Clinic.2 Students in that program benefit from those institutional connections as well, though the specific coordination process is worth confirming directly with the program.
How Cleveland Clinic Manages Affiliations
Cleveland Clinic uses a platform called ACEMAPP to manage its academic affiliation agreements.3 Agreements are established at the school level, not by individual students or preceptors.4 If you are exploring an out-of-state or fully online program, it is worth asking your admissions contact directly whether that school has an active affiliation agreement with Cleveland Clinic before you enroll. A program without that agreement cannot place you at Cleveland Clinic sites, regardless of where you live. Our article on how online nursing programs arrange local clinical placements walks through that process in more detail.
In 2025, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals launched a joint initiative through the Cuyahoga County Healthcare Sector Partnership focused on training more nursing educators, a signal that both systems are deepening their commitment to academic collaboration across the region.5
The Clinical Advantage of an Academic Medical Hub
Cleveland's concentration of academic medical centers is a genuine asset for NP students. Rotating through systems like Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, Summa Health in Akron, and Akron Children's Hospital exposes students to complex, high-acuity patient populations that community-based sites simply cannot replicate at the same scale. That breadth of exposure strengthens diagnostic reasoning and positions graduates well for national certification exams.
If clinical site quality and placement support are priorities for you, programs with existing affiliation agreements in the Cleveland metro are worth weighting heavily in your decision.
