Online NP Schools in Ohio
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“There are a lot of opportunities for aspiring nurse practitioners in our state. It can depend on what area or specialization you want to go into, but you will likely find work easily due to the high demand.”
Tonya R. Runner, DNP, MBA, Director of Graduate Programs, Cleveland State University
Online nurse practitioner (NP) schools in Ohio provide a flexible and accessible pathway for registered nurses to advance their careers and take on a more specialized role in healthcare. These programs are particularly appealing for professionals balancing work and family obligations, offering the convenience of studying remotely without sacrificing the quality of education.
Ohio’s healthcare landscape benefits greatly from the contributions of NPs, who play a vital role in primary care, patient education, and addressing healthcare shortages in both rural and urban areas. The state’s schools offer a range of online NP programs, catering to various specialties such as family practice, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health, ensuring that students can tailor their education to their career goals.
The demand for nurse practitioners in Ohio continues to rise at an impressive rate. According to data from 2022, there were 11,020 nurse practitioners in the state, and projections from CareerOneStop.org (2025) indicate this number will grow to 15,710 by 2032—a remarkable 43 percent increase in just a decade. This evidence of rapid growth highlights the increasing importance of NPs in Ohio’s evolving healthcare system.
Meet the Expert: Tonya R. Runner, DNP, MBA
Dr. Tonya Renee Runner is a board-certified nurse practitioner with specialized expertise in nephrology, focusing on chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, and is the director of graduate programs at Cleveland State University. She also serves as a faculty member and teaches courses such as APRN pharmacology and the DNP capstone while mentoring students on scholarly projects.
Armed with degrees in nursing, sociology, and executive management, including her DNP from Ashland University, Dr. Runner is an active member of professional organizations like the American Nephrology Nurses Association. Additionally, her community service includes volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation and Lorain County Free Clinic, reflecting her commitment to improving patient care and addressing kidney health in underserved communities.
NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Ohio?
Dr. Runner: The online nurse practitioner programs in Ohio follow the practice guidelines set by the state of Ohio. Nurse practitioners in Ohio do not have full practice authority, but as time has gone on, they have been loosening up that requirement.
In Cleveland in particular, we have a very nice pool of hospitals and opportunities for family nurse practitioners to complete their clinical practice. This is especially true for psych, which is in high demand. In larger areas like Columbus and Akron, there is a significant need for more psychiatric nurse practitioners. We talk a lot about the rural areas needing more providers, but the urban areas also need more primary care providers.
There are many opportunities for aspiring nurse practitioners in our state. It can depend on what area or specialization you want to go into, but you will likely find work easily due to the high demand.
NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?
Dr. Runner: First, make sure you understand what online learning is and that it is self-directed. Your instructors are there to help guide and support you, but it is a lot of independent learning. There is support, but you have to keep yourself on track and motivated. If you don’t work well in that way, then an online program may not be ideal.
Second, ensure you have a goal. Why do you want to pursue this? What do you aim to achieve? I remember my time in NP school; I realized that I wanted to specialize. I recognized that family practice wasn’t the right fit for me. I wanted to work in a clinic focusing on chronic diseases. You need to determine which environment will suit you best and where you’ll be most effective, as completing an NP program is a significant commitment.
Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Ohio (Ranked by In-State Tuition)
| School | Degrees | Specializations | Programs & Tuition | Programs | Tuition (in-state) |
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| Cedarville University |
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| Kent State University |
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| Ohio University |
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| The Ohio State University |
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| Walsh University |
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| Wright State University |
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| Cleveland State University |
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| Youngstown State University |
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| Franklin University |
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NP Practice Authority in Ohio
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Ohio?
| United States | Ohio | |
| Number of NPs Employed | 307,390 | 14,550 |
| Average Salary | $132,000 | $121,250 |
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $98,380 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $106,270 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $129,210 | $126,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $132,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $154,280 |
| Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of May 2025 | ||
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAmong her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.