
Columbus, OHprivate forprofitwww.hondros.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 53%–90% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Hondros College of Nursing is a private, for-profit institution laser-focused on turning out practical and registered nurses through accelerated, career-oriented programs across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. It operates with the efficiency and accessibility of a trade school, offering a straightforward, no-waitlist admissions process and a student-centric, 'family-like' environment aimed at adult learners seeking a fast track into healthcare. While its graduation rates and institutional resources may reflect its vocational model, its graduates achieve solid earnings that significantly outpace the median for certificate-granting colleges.
Test-blind — scores not considered
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Compare on earnings: best colleges for Nursing
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Hondros College of Nursing is defined by its accessible, streamlined admissions process designed for career-changers and aspiring nurses seeking a direct path. With an of 85%, the college is significantly more accessible than the average Ohio institution (state average: 75%). The process is characterized by its simplicity: enrollment is offered four times a year with explicitly no waitlists or prerequisite classes for admission. The school does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. While a for Hondros is not provided in the sources, the overall ethos is one of removing traditional barriers to entry for its target demographic of non-traditional, often older students. The undergraduate student body is relatively small, with 1,202 students reported.
The academic model is singular and pragmatic: fast-track nursing credentials. The college offers practical nursing (PN) diplomas and an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) across campuses in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. The ADN program emphasizes developing more advanced critical thinking for developing customized care plans and expanded patient advocate skills — displaying care, empathy and respect. The curriculum is intensely focused on passing licensure exams and entering the workforce; it is not a liberal arts environment. The college promotes a supportive academic culture, stating that 'you are never alone' and offering resources to help students succeed, including recognizing academic award honorees for outstanding dedication. It's important to note that some public commentary questions the school's accreditation status, though the official sources present it as an accredited provider of nursing education.
Student life is built around a commuter, career-college model, with the atmosphere described as a student-centric, family-like environment. The experience is less about traditional campus activities and more about cohort-based support among students navigating the same demanding nursing curriculum. Social media captures hallmark moments like graduation, with students in gowns and mortarboards walking the stage—a key celebratory milestone for this adult learner population. The college has a campus in Bingham Farms, Michigan, for its Practical Nursing program students. The overall vibe is professional and supportive, geared toward students who are often balancing education with work and family responsibilities.
Outcomes data paints a picture of a college whose value proposition is rooted in workforce entry and earnings potential rather than traditional graduation metrics. The graduation rate for first-time, full-time students in the 2022 cohort is calculated by the institution. External sources report varying figures: the College Scorecard notes a 51% graduation rate, while other sites report a 20% rate. The financial payoff, however, is clear and is the central selling point. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $58,636, a figure that dramatically outpaces the midpoint for certificate colleges ($34,519). Other sources estimate average annual earnings for graduates around $64,324, with one-year post-graduation earnings reported at $55,814 and five-year earnings at $62,135. For students who complete their credentials and pass the NCLEX, the investment appears to strong returns in the in-demand nursing field.
The average after aid is $26,014. The college actively guides students through the federal financial aid process, emphasizing that financial aid is available to those that qualify. Key resources include a Net Price Calculator, described as a valuable planning tool to estimate costs and aid eligibility. The primary funding mechanisms are federal aid programs: students are required to complete the FAFSA, and the college participates in federal grant and loan programs. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduates regardless of financial need. There is no indication in the provided sources of a 'no-loan' policy or a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans; the aid approach appears to be standard federal packaging. The college also mentions scholarships, private loans, and veteran benefits as additional resources.
Hondros College of Nursing stands out as a pure-play, no-frills nursing pipeline. It has no athletic teams, no dormitories, and no expansive liberal arts curriculum. Its distinctiveness lies in its operational clarity: it exists to get students to a nursing credential as quickly and directly as possible. The four annual start dates and lack of prerequisites or waitlists cater specifically to adult learners and career-changers who need flexibility and a clear timeline. The 'family-like' support environment is tailored to the high-stakes, high-stress nature of nursing education. While its for-profit model and graduation rates draw scrutiny, its graduates' strong median earnings—nearly double the benchmark for similar institutions—validate its core mission for those who persist. It is a classic example of a career college finding its niche by stripping away everything unrelated to job placement, for better or worse.