Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, program length, and outcomes for every BSN option in the Tempe metro area.
Tempe sits inside one of the Southwest's most active nursing labor markets, where Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler healthcare employers regularly compete for new graduates. Rapid population growth and large hospital systems make Tempe a high-demand node, and multiple BSN pathways are within a short commute.
Public and private options are concentrated here: Arizona State University’s downtown Phoenix campus offers a traditional competitive-entry BSN, while Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe provides a CCNE-accredited 3-year alternative with rolling admissions. This mix lets students choose between cohort-based prestige and accelerated entry.
In a region where many employers prefer BSN-credentialed nurses and specialization lifts pay quickly, comparing NCLEX consistency, net price, and employment outcomes before enrolling prevents costly detours.
These Tempe-area nursing schools are ranked based on factors like accreditation, cost, and student success rates. Programs include traditional BSN, ADN, and accelerated tracks, all within commuting distance. Use the cards below to compare net price, graduation rate, and key program highlights.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | Tempe, AZ | Career changers pursuing accelerated BSN | ||
Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe is a private not-for-profit offering a CCNE-accredited BSN in as little as three years. With a 89% graduation rate and net price around $31,681, it ranks highly for its focused nursing curriculum and accelerated timeline. The Tempe campus was named the #1 college for nursing in Arizona by Niche in 2026.
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| #2 | Pima Medical Institute-Mesa | Mesa, AZ | Students wanting both ADN and BSN | ||
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa provides both an ADN and an online RN to BSN, with the ADN taking just 20 months. As a private for-profit, its net price is about $21,461, and graduation rate is 67%. The institute emphasizes hands-on simulation and career services support.
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| #3 | Aspen University | Phoenix, AZ | $6,000/yr | RNs seeking online MSN with specializations | |
Aspen University, headquartered in Phoenix, offers exclusively online MSN programs with specializations in administration, forensics, and informatics. With a 27% graduation rate and fully online delivery, it is suited for working RNs seeking graduate education. Net price data is not reported, but total program cost is fixed around $20,000-$21,000 per MSN track.
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| #4 | Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ | |||
Estrella Mountain Community College, part of the MaricopaNursing consortium, offers a public AAS in Nursing with a concurrent BSN enrollment option. Net price is an affordable $12,254, though the graduation rate is 32%. The four-semester program prepares students for RN licensure and transfer to universities.
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| #5 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Grand Canyon University is a large private Christian university with a comprehensive BSN program boasting a 97.17% NCLEX first-time pass rate. Net price averages $22,472 and graduation rate is 43%. The program accepts up to 90 transfer credits and features immersive simulation suites.
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| #6 | Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | |||
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix is a sibling campus of the Tempe location, offering the same three-year, CCNE-accredited BSN. Net price is about $36,660, with graduation rate data not available. The program provides night classes and frequent start dates for working students.
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| #7 | GateWay Community College | Phoenix, AZ | |||
GateWay Community College, a public institution, offers an ACEN-accredited AAS in Nursing through a cohort-based model. With a net price of $13,339 and a 29% graduation rate, the program includes a university transfer pathway to a BSN.
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| #8 | Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ | |||
Central Arizona College delivers a public AAS in Nursing with an LPN to RN bridge track, ACEN accreditation, and state-of-the-art simulation labs. Net price is just $4,714, making it the most affordable option, with a 98% NCLEX pass rate and 83% job placement rate. Graduation rate is 27%.
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| #9 | Carrington College-Mesa | Mesa, AZ | |||
Carrington College-Mesa is a private for-profit offering a 23-month ADN and an online RN to BSN. Net price is high at $48,877, but it features a 54% graduation rate and military benefits. The ADN is ACEN accredited with simulation-based training.
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| #10 | Arizona State University | Scottsdale, AZ | $11,000/yr | ||
Arizona State University, a major public research university, provides multiple BSN pathways, including a 12-month accelerated option and an online RN to BSN. Net price and graduation rate data are not reported, but the program requires a 3.5 GPA and early application deadline. It emphasizes global opportunities and interprofessional education.
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The table below compares sticker prices and average net prices for BSN programs at public community colleges near Tempe. Net price is the institution-wide average cost after federal, state, and institutional grant aid, so individual expenses can differ based on family finances. Many Tempe-area schools enroll a large share of Pell Grant recipients, reflecting a strong commitment to serving students with financial need.
| School | In-State Tuition ($) | Out-of-State Tuition ($) | Net Price ($) | Pell Grant Recipients (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Arizona College | $2,250 | $4,500 | $4,714 | 92.7% |
| Mohave Community College | $2,208 | $7,968 | $5,974 | 92.6% |
| Yavapai College | $2,948 | $9,486 | $8,683 | 93.2% |
| Arizona Western College | $3,060 | $9,870 | $8,983 | 98.5% |
| Eastern Arizona College | $2,352 | $9,552 | $9,197 | N/A |
| Northland Pioneer College | $2,664 | $10,320 | $9,240 | N/A |
| Glendale Community College | $2,358 | $8,958 | $11,650 | 89.9% |
| Phoenix College | $2,358 | $8,958 | $12,055 | 89.5% |
| Mesa Community College | $2,358 | $8,958 | $12,132 | 84.7% |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | $2,358 | $8,958 | $12,254 | 87.3% |
A program’s NCLEX pass rate for nursing schools in Arizona can be read as a one-time scorecard or as a trend line over several exam cycles. While a single year’s figure indicates recent outcomes, reviewing multiple years shows whether a school maintains consistent licensure readiness, or struggles to support students.
First-time pass rates for Tempe-area BSN programs show notable variation. The Tempe campus of Arizona College of Nursing reported 149 of 176 candidates passing on the first attempt, a rate of 85%.1 Aspen University’s Phoenix location reported a lower rate of 77% (79 of 103 candidates).1 For Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing, program-specific data is not separately published in the latest state board summaries; however, the combined Phoenix metro BSN pass rate stands at 93.44% (1,538 of 1,646 candidates)1, which likely reflects that program’s strong results alongside others.
National first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates over recent years have ranged from 82% to 86%.2 By that measure, Arizona College of Nursing sits near the middle of the national range, while Aspen University falls noticeably below. The Phoenix metro aggregate of 93.44% comfortably exceeds the national average, suggesting that, as a group, local BSN graduates are well prepared.
A pass rate significantly below the national average, or a multi-year decline, can point to gaps in curriculum alignment with the NCLEX test plan, insufficient clinical hours, or inadequate student support. It may also hint at admission standards that allow underprepared students to enroll. For prospective students, a program’s 2-3 year trend is more telling than any single exam cycle, as it reveals whether the school is actively improving or merely fluctuating.
While the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard does not yet publish program-level earnings for Tempe-area BSN graduates, broader metro-level data gives a realistic salary benchmark. The figures below reflect all registered nurses in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler region, providing a reliable reference for what BSN-prepared nurses can expect.
Choosing between a traditional competitive-entry BSN and a program with rolling admissions sets the tone for your entire application journey. The Tempe area offers distinct pathways, ASU's rigorous cohort model and Arizona College of Nursing's continuous enrollment, and understanding the trade-offs can help you find the right fit. The decision goes beyond acceptance odds; it shapes the pace of your education, your clinical training depth, and your financial commitment.
Both CCNE and ACEN accreditation signal quality, but you'll want to verify a program's status directly. Accreditation affects licensure eligibility and transfer credits. Consider the format: ASU's Edson College offers a traditional four-year BSN with a set sequence, while Arizona College of Nursing provides a three-year accelerated track on a year-round schedule. If you need flexibility or a faster timeline, rolling-admission programs may serve you better, but they often carry a higher per-credit cost.
Clinical rotations are the backbone of your nursing education. Tempe BSN students train at some of the largest health systems in the Phoenix metro, including Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health (CommonSpirit), Valleywise Health, and Mayo Clinic. ASU's Edson College boasts 650 clinical partners spanning nearly all 50 states, with a prominent local partnership at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Arizona College of Nursing also secures placements at area hospitals, but the breadth of ASU's network can open doors to specialized experiences, such as pediatric or academic medical center rotations, that strengthen your resume.
Admissions processes vary dramatically. ASU's Traditional BSN is highly selective: direct admission requires a top-10% high school rank, a minimum 3.80 GPA (or 3.50 with a qualifying ACT of 25 or SAT of 1230), and a strong TEAS score. Even once admitted, students must maintain a 3.50 GPA and no grade below a C. In contrast, Arizona College of Nursing uses rolling admissions, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and seats are filled continuously. This approach can be less stressful if you meet the baseline requirements, but it may mean earlier application submission is critical to secure a spot.
Look beyond tuition. Total cost includes lab fees, scrubs, background checks, transportation to clinical sites, and opportunity cost if a longer program delays your entry into the workforce. Public universities like ASU often have lower in-state tuition, but private institutions may offer faster completion, potentially reducing living expenses. Request a full cost breakdown from each school and compare financial aid packages. A lower sticker price isn't always cheaper if it stretches your timeline or limits your clinical options.
Prospective nursing students in Tempe often have questions about program locations, acceptance rates, and career outcomes. Below are answers to common queries, based on current information from schools and workforce data.
