Compare accredited BSN programs across Arizona by cost, outcomes, NCLEX prep, and more.
With Phoenix and Tucson healthcare systems expanding rapidly, Arizona’s demand for BSN-prepared nurses continues to intensify. The median annual RN wage statewide sits at $85,530, though salaries in the Phoenix metro area top $87,280.
Our 2026 rankings evaluate nursing schools using three criteria that determine real value: net price after aid, graduation rates, and post-graduation earnings. These numbers, drawn from federal data, cut through marketing claims to show which BSN programs deliver the strongest return.
The same data set underpins the NCLEX pass rates and cost comparisons that follow. For students weighing six-figure tuition against a decade of loan payments, selecting a school with transparent outcomes isn’t optional: it’s survival.
These are the top nursing programs in Arizona for 2026, ranked using a composite of affordability, outcomes, and accessibility. Each card below highlights key strengths like clinical training hours, NCLEX pass rates, delivery formats, and one-year earnings where available.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | ~$15,000/yr (est.) | Aspiring RNs prioritizing clinical depth | |
The University of Arizona's College of Nursing combines a rigorous BSN curriculum with over 600 clinical hours, simulation labs, and partnerships across Arizona's largest health systems. Two campus-based pathways, Tucson and Gilbert, include a conventional BSN and an accelerated Integrative Health emphasis. Graduates post strong first-time NCLEX pass rates and enter the workforce with competitive earning potential. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #2 | Arizona State University | Scottsdale, AZ | Accelerated second-degree seekers | ||
Arizona State University offers multiple BSN pathways, including a traditional four-semester track, a 12-month accelerated option, and an online RN to BSN completion program. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning, with in-person clinical experiences and ASU Sync delivery options. Strong transfer support and year-round starts make it a flexible choice for nursing students across Arizona.
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| #3 | Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | Tempe, AZ | $32,000/yr (est. net price) | Working adults needing evening classes | |
Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe offers a three-year BSN with rolling starts every eight weeks and night classes for general education, making it accessible for working students. The CCNE-accredited curriculum combines simulation labs, clinical rotations, and personalized faculty attention. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN with a strong emphasis on practical patient care. CCNE accredited
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| #4 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
Northern Arizona University's BSN program blends science with empathy through immersive simulation labs and clinical placements across Arizona. Students can choose traditional, accelerated, or RN-to-BSN tracks at multiple campuses or online, with small class sizes and a focus on rural and Indigenous health. The program reports NCLEX pass rates consistently above 90%. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #5 | Carrington College-Tucson | Tucson, AZ | ~$34,000/yr (est.) | ||
Carrington College-Tucson prepares students for registered nursing careers through an ACEN-accredited associate degree program and an online RN to BSN completion option. The ADN includes multiple supervised clinical rotations and simulation labs, while the RN to BSN focuses on leadership and care coordination for working nurses. The college offers military benefits and financial aid support. Military benefits
Fully online option
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| #6 | Aspen University | Phoenix, AZ | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Aspen University's Phoenix-based programs are designed for working nursing professionals, with fully online RN to BSN and MSN pathways. The RN to BSN is a 30-credit completion program with flat-rate tuition and rolling starts, while MSN concentrations in administration, forensic nursing, and informatics offer career advancement. Courses are asynchronous with 8-week terms and no mandatory login times. Military benefitsEmployer tuition reimbursementFully online option
CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #7 | Pima Medical Institute-Mesa | Mesa, AZ | $21,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa offers an associate degree in nursing with a 20-month completion timeline and 528 clinical hours, plus an online RN to BSN for career advancement. The ADN includes clinical rotations beginning in the second semester and LPN advanced placement options, while the RN to BSN builds leadership skills. Both programs are supported by career services and financial aid.
Fully online option
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| #8 | Chamberlain University-Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | ~$40,000/yr (est.) | ||
Chamberlain University's Phoenix campus offers a three-year BSN with no prerequisites required and evening/weekend class options. The hybrid program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical training through a network of 51 healthcare partners, and includes simulation labs and small class sizes averaging 20 students. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN with a reported 96% first-time pass rate. Military benefits
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| #9 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Grand Canyon University's pre-licensure BSN program emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care with immersive simulation suites and clinical rotations across hospitals and community settings. The 123-credit curriculum includes a Transition to Practice Nurse Residency and a capstone evidence-based project, and the university reports a 97.17% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Up to 90 transfer credits are accepted. CCNE accredited
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| #10 | Carrington College-Mesa | Mesa, AZ | $45,000 – $50,000/yr (est.) | ||
Carrington College-Mesa offers an ACEN-accredited associate degree in nursing with a 23-month completion path and simulation labs, plus an online RN to BSN option. The Mesa campus provides supervised clinical rotations in acute, long-term, and community settings, and the RN to BSN focuses on leadership and evidence-based practice. Military benefits and scholarships are available. Military benefits
Fully online option
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A ranking based on reputation might admire a school’s history. Ours measures what students actually pay and earn.
We built a composite score from four equally weighted factors, each pulled from the latest federal data:
Each metric is standardized, so no single factor runs away with the ranking. We then rank schools by their total score.
You will notice that NCLEX pass rates, clinical hour totals, and admissions selectivity are not part of our formula. Those are critical for licensure readiness, but they are discussed separately in each school’s profile and in our NCLEX comparison table. A sky‑high pass rate at an expensive private school might not serve a student who needs a low‑cost, high‑return pathway. We treat NCLEX as a threshold (schools must be accredited) rather than a scoring input.
Scan the search results for “best nursing schools in Arizona” and you will seldom find a clear explanation of how rankings were built. That lack of transparency erodes trust. By laying out every weighting, data source, and exclusion, we give you the tools to decide if our priorities align with yours. All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS, using the most recent snapshot available as of May 2026. No school pays for placement, and no subjective reputational surveys influence the order.
Among the ranked nursing schools in Arizona, the average net price after financial aid is about $11,100, but costs span from as low as $4,714 at Central Arizona College to $16,674 at University of Arizona. These net price figures are institution-wide averages, so what you actually pay as a nursing student could be higher or lower depending on your financial aid package.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Arizona College | $2,250 | $4,500 | $4,714 | Public |
| Mohave Community College | $2,208 | $7,968 | $5,974 | Public |
| Yavapai College | $2,948 | $9,486 | $8,683 | Public |
| Arizona Western College | $3,060 | $9,870 | $8,983 | Public |
| Eastern Arizona College | $2,352 | $9,552 | $9,197 | Public |
| Northland Pioneer College | $2,664 | $10,320 | $9,240 | Public |
| Glendale Community College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $11,650 | Public |
| Phoenix College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $12,055 | Public |
| Mesa Community College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $12,132 | Public |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $12,254 | Public |
| Scottsdale Community College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $13,336 | Public |
| GateWay Community College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $13,339 | Public |
| Coconino Community College | $3,473 | $9,987 | $13,996 | Public |
| Northern Arizona University | $12,619 | $20,044 | $14,158 | Public |
| University of Arizona | $13,573 | $39,903 | $16,674 | Public |
What do NCLEX pass rates tell you about an Arizona nursing program's quality and your future success?
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are the most transparent quality indicator for nursing schools. They measure the percentage of a program's graduates who pass the licensing exam on their first attempt. Since you cannot work as a registered nurse without this license, a school's pass rate directly reflects how well it prepares students for the test and for entry-level nursing practice.
A consistently high pass rate suggests strong instruction, robust clinical training, and effective exam preparation. Conversely, a low or declining rate can signal gaps in curriculum, inadequate student support, or admission standards that do not align with the program's rigor.
In 2024, the national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated students was 91.16%.1 This benchmark helps you evaluate individual programs. While no single number defines excellence, many quality programs consistently exceed 90%. Some reach 95% or higher.
A pass rate below 80% is a red flag. It indicates that at least one in five graduates fails the licensing exam on the first try, potentially delaying their career and adding retake fees. When assessing a school, look for stable or improving pass rates over multiple years, not just one good cohort.
The Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBON) publishes annual NCLEX pass rate reports for all approved nursing programs in the state. Their publications break down results by school and degree type, including BSN programs. To check the latest figures, visit the AZBON website and look for the most recent NCLEX Performance Report, typically released in the first quarter of the year for the previous year's data.
Because pass rates can fluctuate, review at least two years of data when possible. Some schools publish their own pass rates on their websites, but always verify against the official AZBON reports for accuracy.
AZBON's reporting cycle may lag by a few months as they validate results. When you research programs, confirm the data year and whether the figures represent all first-time test-takers or only those who graduated within a specific timeframe. Always use the most recent state board data available to make informed comparisons.
When evaluating nursing school value, two earnings pictures matter. The first is program-specific graduate data, which shows what completers of a particular BSN program earn in their first years after school. The second is occupational wage data, which reflects what all RNs in a state make, no matter where they trained. For Arizona BSN programs, graduate-level earnings data are not currently available, but statewide RN wage figures offer a reliable earnings baseline.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in Arizona earned a median annual wage of $96,890 in 2024. Pay spans a wide range: the lowest 10% of earners made about $69,930, while the highest 10% exceeded $123,480. For comparison, the national median for RNs sat at $93,600, making Arizona’s figure roughly 3% higher than the U.S. midpoint.
Earnings also shift by metro area. The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and Tucson regions, which employ the bulk of Arizona’s nurses, typically report median wages above the state average, reflecting higher demand and cost of living. Exact metro figures vary with each BLS release, but graduates targeting those markets can expect pay on the higher side of the range.
Entry-level RNs often land near the lower end of the pay scale. A new BSN graduate in Arizona might start in the $70,000 to $80,000 range, with rapid growth as they gain experience or pursue specialties like critical care or perioperative nursing. Those who move into advanced roles, such as nurse management or clinical nurse specialist positions, can push earnings toward the 90th percentile and beyond.
It is also worth remembering that BLS figures capture base salary only. Shift differentials, overtime, on-call pay, and signing bonuses, all common in nursing, can add thousands to annual take-home pay and are not reflected in these medians.
As you weigh Arizona nursing schools, treat these statewide numbers as a floor for your career earning potential. When program-level graduate earnings data become available, they will allow a finer comparison of how specific schools influence short-term pay outcomes.
In Arizona, RNs earn a median annual wage of $85,530, with Phoenix metro topping $87,280 and Tucson at $82,410. Nationally, the median is $86,070, and the field is projected to grow 6% through 2033.
Arizona nursing schools offer several paths to a BSN, from traditional on-campus programs to accelerated and hybrid formats. While fully online BSN options are scarce, many programs incorporate online coursework, but all require in-person clinical hours to meet state licensing requirements.
| Traditional On-Campus BSN | Accelerated BSN | Hybrid BSN | Fully Online BSN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Duration | 2-4 years depending on transfer credits | 12-16 months (for students with a previous bachelor's degree) | 4-4.5 years (includes pre-professional courses) | Varies; no fully online BSN in Arizona currently available |
| Flexibility | Fixed on-campus schedule; little remote coursework | Intensive, full-time format with little flexibility; often cohort-based | Mix of online coursework and periodic on-campus sessions | Didactic courses online, but must arrange in-person clinicals locally |
| In-Person Clinical Hours | 600+ hours (e.g., University of Arizona requires over 600 hours) | Varies by program (Grand Canyon University: 56 hours; others may have more) | Similar to traditional BSN hours | Same as on-campus equivalent; all clinicals must be completed in person |
| Best For | Students who prefer structured, hands-on learning on campus | Career changers with a bachelor's degree who want to transition quickly | Working adults or students who need some flexibility but value occasional in-person instruction | Students needing maximum geographic flexibility, but must be able to arrange local clinical placements |
| Example Arizona Schools | University of Arizona, Grand Canyon University, Arizona College of Nursing | Arizona State University (12 months), Grand Canyon University (16 months) | Northern Arizona University | No Arizona BSN programs are entirely online; some graduate programs may be online |
A traditional BSN takes about four years, while accelerated programs for those with a prior degree can be finished in 12 to 18 months. Every pathway ends with the same state requirements: pass the NCLEX-RN and secure an Arizona RN license, which includes a mandatory fingerprint clearance card.
Gaining admission to a BSN program in Arizona is often far more competitive than the university’s overall acceptance numbers suggest. While the University of Arizona reports an institution-wide acceptance rate around 86%, its nursing cohorts are significantly more selective. Northern Arizona University’s overall acceptance rate hovers near 90%, yet the nursing major requires a separate, competitive application. This disconnect means students must prepare for a process that goes well beyond general university admission standards.
BSN programs across the state require a strong foundation in science and math. Nearly all expect completion (with a grade of C or higher) of prerequisites including anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and statistics. Some also mandate nutrition, lifespan development, or psychology. GPA requirements vary widely: some private schools like Arizona College of Nursing may consider applicants with a minimum 2.75 GPA, while public universities set higher bars. Arizona State University’s direct-admit BSN program typically requires a 3.80 core GPA, though applicants with a 3.50 and a top-10% class rank (or ACT 25 / SAT 1230) may qualify. The University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University publish similar prerequisite GPAs in the 3.2 to 3.5 range for competitive consideration, though official minimums may be lower.
Many programs require the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or HESI exam. Minimum scores vary; a TEAS composite of 65% to 75% is common, but applicants with stronger GPAs may edge out lower scores. Additional requirements often include a criminal background check, drug screening, CPR certification, and proof of immunizations. Some schools (like Arizona College) maintain a 100% acceptance rate for qualified applicants who meet all admissions criteria, but this does not reflect the selectivity of the nursing core once enrolled. Transfer students should note that space is limited, and many programs only accept a small cohort each fall or spring.
Not all nursing programs are accredited equally. The two main national accreditors are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University all hold CCNE accreditation. Graduating from an accredited program is essential for RN licensure and may affect employment or graduate school eligibility. Additionally, verify that the Arizona Board of Nursing has approved the program; this is a separate, required step. Clinical site partnerships can elevate a program’s quality. Schools affiliated with major healthcare systems like Banner Health, Dignity Health, or Tucson Medical Center often offer more robust clinical rotations and preceptorships, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.
Arizona is projected to face a shortage of 30,000 nurses by 2025, according to Nightingale College's nursing shortage analysis.
Choosing a nursing school is a big decision. Below, we answer the most common questions prospective students in Arizona ask about accredited BSN programs, costs, timelines, prerequisites, and more. For detailed comparisons, check the rankings and cost tables earlier in this article.
The ranked list above highlights the programs that scored highest on our measures, but Arizona nursing schools are spread across the state, from community college consortia in the Phoenix metro to rural campuses near the border and in the high country. Browse the directory below by region to find options near you, then confirm current start dates, prerequisites, and deadlines directly with each program.
