Program Overview
A top-ranked Jesuit nursing program (#6 in Ohio) and one of just 17 U.S. institutions endorsed for holistic nursing, pairing 850+ clinical hours with three convenient enrollment sites.
Xavier University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 16-month, full-time program for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, and it carries strong credentials: U.S. News & World Report ranks Xavier’s undergraduate BSN #6 in Ohio (2025), and Xavier is one of only 17 institutions in the nation endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) for its commitment to whole-person care.
Offered at three Ohio enrollment locations — Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus — the program runs 63 credit hours across four semesters with three start dates a year (January, May, and August).
The hybrid model blends online coursework with in-person labs and more than 850 hours of clinical practice at top Ohio healthcare facilities.
Curriculum and Learning Experience
The curriculum covers nursing foundations, mental health, adult health, and pediatric nursing, combining online theory with in-person simulation labs and clinical rotations across four full-time semesters.
- Semester I (15 credits): foundational courses such as Survey of Professional Nursing and Foundations in Nursing Practice, with a focus on health, culture, and diversity.
- Semester II (15 credits): Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Nursing Concepts in Mental Health, with clinical practicums for hands-on learning.
- Semester III (17 credits): advanced topics including Nursing Care of the Adult, Obstetric/Women’s Health Nursing, and Pediatric Nursing.
- Semester IV (16 credits): complex client care, community health, and a capstone course.
Students complete their education through a hybrid model that combines online classes with in-person simulation labs and clinical rotations, graduating prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN. More detail is available on the curriculum page.
Admission and Acceptance
Admission requires a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70, and completion of four prerequisite courses in Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Statistics. The rolling admissions process delivers decisions within weeks, and acceptance depends on the applicant pool for each location and start date.
Clinical Experience
Students gain more than 850 hours of clinical practice in top Ohio healthcare facilities, including systems such as Cleveland Clinic and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, building real-world experience across nursing specialties. In-person simulation labs reinforce skills before and alongside live clinical rotations.
Tuition
Xavier bases ABSN tuition on the 63 credit hours required to graduate, at $900 per credit hour — about $56,700 in base tuition, with an estimated all-in cost near $61,880 once fees are included.
Note two things that affect the total: prerequisite courses are billed separately (at $550 per credit hour for 2025-26), and various supply and professional fees (books, scrubs, stethoscope, nurse badge, liability insurance) are charged on top of tuition.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Ohio students may qualify for the Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP).
See the official tuition and fees page for details.
Online and On-Campus Components
While a significant portion of coursework is delivered online, students must complete hands-on labs and clinical rotations in person. This hybrid format provides flexibility while ensuring students gain essential practical skills at their chosen enrollment location.
Accreditation and Outcomes
All degree programs (BSN, MSN, and DNP) in Xavier University’s College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue careers as registered nurses. Xavier’s holistic, Jesuit approach — recognized through its AHNCC endorsement — emphasizes whole-person, patient-centered care.
Other Nursing Programs
Beyond the ABSN, Xavier offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with multiple tracks, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), an MSN Direct Entry (MIDAS) for non-nursing graduates, and post-master’s certificates — all CCNE-accredited.