Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, program length, and outcomes for every Tucson-area BSN option.
Tucson’s Banner Health and Tucson Medical Center campuses increasingly hire BSN-prepared nurses, reflecting a national shift toward baccalaureate education. The University of Arizona’s BSN program, with a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate, anchors a diverse mix of public university and community college pathways within the metro area.
Students choose among accelerated BSN tracks, traditional four-year degrees, and associate-degree programs that eventually bridge to a bachelor’s. Each route trades time against upfront cost, and local admissions are competitive: UArizona’s nursing college sets a high bar despite the university’s 86% overall acceptance rate.
Comparing tuition, licensure exam outcomes, and clinical placement rates helps you separate strong value from programs that may extend your timeline without improving earning potential.
These top nursing schools in and around Tucson offer a range of BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN pathways. Each entry highlights tuition, net price, institution-wide graduation rate, and program format to help you compare options. Schools are ranked based on academic quality, affordability, and clinical training opportunities.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | Future RNs wanting a flagship research university | |
Arizona’s flagship public research university offers three direct nursing pathways: a conventional BSN in Tucson, an accelerated BSN in Integrative Health at the Gilbert campus, and a Master of Science for Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MS-MEPN) in Tucson and Gilbert. The conventional BSN boasts a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate and strong starting salaries. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the College of Nursing provides robust clinical placements and a pipeline to advanced practice roles.
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| #2 | Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | Tempe, AZ | $32,000/yr (net price) | Career changers needing flexible enrollment dates | |
This private college offers a 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at its Tempe campus, with an additional campus located in Tucson for Southern Arizona students. The CCNE-accredited curriculum combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical rotations and advanced simulation facilities. The institution reports an institution-wide graduation rate of 89%, and the program features night classes, personalized attention, and year-round start dates.
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| #3 | Carrington College-Tucson | Tucson, AZ | $34,000/yr | Tucson residents wanting local ADN training | |
Located in Tucson, Carrington College provides an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that serves as a direct pipeline to local hospitals and clinics. The campus-based program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN with a blend of theory and hands-on clinical experience, and also offers a fully online RN-to-BSN completion for working nurses seeking a bachelor’s. Institution-wide graduation rate is 66%, and net price is $33,983.
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| #4 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ | $14,000/yr | ||
A public university and Hispanic-Serving Institution, Northern Arizona University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in both traditional and accelerated formats through hybrid delivery at its Flagstaff campus. The program emphasizes holistic patient care and leadership, is CCNE-accredited, and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. Institution-wide graduation rate is 61%, and in-state net price is $14,158.
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| #5 | Pima Medical Institute-Mesa | Mesa, AZ | $21,000/yr (net price) | ||
A private allied-health school with a campus in Mesa, Pima Medical Institute provides a 20-month Associate Degree in Nursing and an online RN-to-BSN completion program. The ADN includes clinical externships and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. Institution-wide graduation rate is 67%, and net price is $21,461.
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| #6 | Aspen University | Phoenix, AZ | $7,000/yr | ||
Aspen University, based in Phoenix, delivers entirely online graduate nursing programs, including MSN concentrations in Administration and Management, Forensic Nursing, and Informatics. These programs are designed for RNs with a BSN seeking career advancement. The institution's overall graduation rate is 27%, and tuition is $5,910 per year; net price is not reported.
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| #7 | Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ | $2,000 – $9,000/yr | ||
A public community college and Hispanic-Serving Institution located in Avondale, Estrella Mountain offers a 4-semester Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing. The program includes a Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) option to earn a BSN simultaneously with partner universities, making it highly cost-effective. Institution-wide graduation rate is 32%, and in-state net price is $12,254.
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| #8 | Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | ||
Another campus of Arizona College of Nursing, this Phoenix location provides the same 3-year BSN program with CCNE accreditation, night classes, and clinical rotations. The institution-wide graduation rate is not yet reported, and net price is $36,660.
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| #9 | Mohave Community College | Kingman, AZ | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
A public community college and Hispanic-Serving Institution in Kingman, Mohave offers an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing that prepares students for RN licensure. The program features hands-on clinical training, some of which may occur in Las Vegas, and has a 2.85 GPA admission requirement. Institution-wide graduation rate is 38%, and net price is $5,974.
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| #10 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
A private Christian university in Phoenix, Grand Canyon University offers a campus-based BSN Pre-Licensure program emphasizing evidence-based practice, ethical nursing, and leadership development. The program includes immersive simulations and clinical experiences. Institution-wide graduation rate is 44%, and net price is $22,472.
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Every nursing school markets its strengths, but what do the numbers really show? Our ranking zeroes in on the metrics that matter most for your budget and future career. We pull data directly from the U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS and College Scorecard, not from school brochures, so you get an unfiltered picture of cost, debt, and graduate earnings.
We know that NCLEX pass rates and clinical placement quality are top of mind. Those numbers are not part of this ranking algorithm because schools self-report them and methodologies vary. Instead, we cover NCLEX performance and clinical insights in a dedicated section below. By sticking to standardized federal data, we surface schools that deliver strong outcomes without cherry-picked stats.
The cost of nursing education in the Tucson area can vary significantly by institution, with in-state tuition at public community colleges starting as low as $2,208 per year. Net price, which reflects what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, offers a more accurate comparison. The table below highlights key cost metrics for nursing programs near Tucson.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Arizona College | $2,250 | $4,500 | $4,714 | $10,010 |
| Mohave Community College | $2,208 | $7,968 | $5,974 | $9,700 |
| Yavapai College | $2,948 | $9,486 | $8,683 | $9,000 |
| Arizona Western College | $3,060 | $9,870 | $8,983 | $4,826 |
| 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 | $8,959 | $11,650 | $6,960 |
| Phoenix College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $12,055 | $6,750 |
| Mesa Community College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $12,132 | $7,473 |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | $2,358 | $8,959 | $12,254 | $7,500 |
When mapping out your nursing education, the biggest fork in the road is often between a traditional four-year BSN and a faster, intensive accelerated program. Tucson offers both, along with hybrid and associate-degree pathways that feed into a bachelor's completion.
A conventional pre-licensure BSN typically spans four academic years when you include prerequisite coursework. At the University of Arizona, the professional nursing component runs 24 months for students who have completed their general education and science prerequisites. This full-time, campus-based track immerses you in clinical rotations and simulation labs, preparing you for the NCLEX-RN after graduation.
For career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, the University of Arizona delivers a second-degree accelerated BSN that can be finished in 15–16 months. The pace is demanding, full-time, on-campus, but it gets you from classroom to bedside far more quickly than a traditional program. There are no other accelerated BSN tracks based in the Tucson metro area at this time. Pima Medical Institute’s Tucson campus offers a 20-month Associate Degree in Nursing, which is a fast route to RN licensure but not a bachelor's degree.
Most Tucson BSN programs remain campus-centric, but hybrid learning creeps in through partnership pathways. The concurrent ADN/BSN program between Pima Community College and Northern Arizona University (NAU) blends online and in-person coursework, letting you earn both your associate and bachelor's degrees in about three to three and a half years. NAU’s BSN program itself uses a hybrid delivery model, though the main campus is in Flagstaff; Tucson students typically access the concurrent option locally. Check each school’s specific in-person requirements, as clinical hours are always hands-on.
Pima Community College houses its nursing program at the Desert Vista campus. The ADN track takes 30–36 months and is offered in person, online, and hybrid formats. Pima has a formal concurrent enrollment agreement with Northern Arizona University, but not with the University of Arizona, so you can work toward a BSN while completing your associate degree. This pathway lets you split the difference between a two-year and a four-year program and can be a smart, cost-conscious move if you plan to pursue a BSN eventually.
NCLEX pass rates measure how well a program prepares graduates for the licensure exam on the first attempt; graduate outcomes track employment rates and early-career earnings. These metrics show whether a school’s curriculum aligns with industry standards and workforce demands.
For context, the national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 was 86.7%1, and it has ranged between 86-87% in recent years2. Comparing a school’s rate against this benchmark can indicate program strength. However, rates can fluctuate annually due to small cohort sizes.
If published reports are dated, contact the nursing department directly by phone or email to request current pass rates and graduate employment statistics. Many programs track job placement within six months of graduation, which can be more telling than exam scores alone.
What GPA and test scores do you need for Tucson’s BSN programs? Requirements vary considerably, but all are selective. While the University of Arizona admits around 86% of undergraduate applicants overall, the College of Nursing sets a much higher bar, its typical admitted student has a 3.6–3.8 GPA and scores at least 82% on the TEAS exam. Nursing program admission is generally more competitive than university-wide acceptance rates.
All Tucson BSN programs require a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card background check.
Choosing a nursing school involves many factors. Below are answers to common questions about BSN programs, costs, and outcomes in Tucson to help you make an informed decision.
Deciding where to earn your BSN in Tucson boils down to three practical factors: net cost, program format, and how well graduates are prepared for licensure. NCLEX pass rates and early-career earnings offer a reality check that goes beyond any program brochure. As you evaluate schools, look closely at net price, what you actually pay after grants, and confirm whether the format is traditional, accelerated, or hybrid. All data in this article comes from IPEDS and College Scorecard, so be sure to verify specifics with each admissions office before you commit.
