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.
Tempe-area nursing students can choose from public universities with campus and hybrid options, private colleges with accelerated BSN tracks, and career-focused ADN programs in the East Valley. The schools below are ordered for local relevance, with Tempe and nearby Phoenix metro campuses appearing first. Each card highlights program strengths and delivery format to help you compare fits.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | Tempe, AZ | $32,000/yr (est. net price) | Tempe residents needing flexible evening classes | |
A private, Tempe-based BSN provider that emphasizes a three-year path with frequent start dates and evening general education. Its campus format includes simulation labs and clinical rotations, and it does not charge separate out-of-state tuition. This makes it a convenient non-resident-friendly option for local career changers. CCNE accredited
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| #2 | Arizona State University | Scottsdale, AZ | Arizona residents wanting public BSN | ||
Arizona State University is a public institution with multiple BSN entry points, including a traditional track, an accelerated 12-month option, and an online RN to BSN. Its programs blend didactic and clinical coursework, and the university's scale provides access to extensive health system partnerships in the Phoenix metro. In-state students may see a lower net price than at nearby private colleges.
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| #3 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | ~$15,000/yr (est.) | Career changers needing accelerated BSN | |
The University of Arizona is a public research university offering a traditional BSN and an accelerated Integrative Health BSN at a Gilbert campus that is commutable from Tempe. It also offers a direct-entry MSN for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree. The program emphasizes high-fidelity simulation and strong clinical hours, with Arizona resident tuition available. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #4 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Grand Canyon University is a private Phoenix-based university with a campus BSN program known for immersive simulation and a nurse residency transition. It serves a large prelicensure cohort and accepts many transfer credits, but as a private institution it does not offer an Arizona-resident tuition discount. CCNE accredited
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| #5 | Pima Medical Institute-Mesa | Mesa, AZ | $21,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa is a private career-focused school in the East Valley offering an ADN and an online RN to BSN. Its ADN is a 20-month, hands-on program with clinical externships and an LPN advanced placement option, making it a local alternative to four-year BSN programs.
Fully online option
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| #6 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
Northern Arizona University is a public option with hybrid BSN and accelerated BSN pathways, including some Phoenix-area and online components. It has a strong focus on rural and Indigenous health and reports a high licensure pass rate. Arizona residents receive public-university tuition, though the main campus is in Flagstaff. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #7 | Carrington College-Phoenix North | Phoenix, AZ | |||
Carrington College's Phoenix North campus offers a private, campus-based ADN that can be completed in about 23 months. It includes simulation labs and multiple clinical rotations, and provides advanced placement for military medics. As a private college, net price may be higher than community college options. Military benefits
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| #8 | Aspen University | Phoenix, AZ | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
Aspen University is a Phoenix-headquartered online provider offering an RN to BSN completion and several MSN tracks for working nurses. Its fully online asynchronous format is designed for licensed RNs needing flexibility, and it uses a single national tuition rate without in-state discounts. Military benefitsEmployer tuition reimbursementFully online option
CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #9 | Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | ||
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix is a private campus-based BSN program similar to the Tempe campus, with a three-year structure and frequent start dates. It is another commutable option for Tempe-area students and does not differentiate in-state and out-of-state tuition.
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| #10 | Carrington College-Tucson | Tucson, AZ | ~$34,000/yr (est.) | ||
Carrington College-Tucson is a private provider offering an ADN and an online RN to BSN, though its campus is located in Tucson rather than the Phoenix metro. Its ADN uses TEAS entrance exams and includes supervised clinical rotations. Tempe-area students would likely need to relocate or choose a closer campus. Military benefits
Fully online option
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The table below compares sticker prices and average net prices for BSN programs at public community colleges near Tempe. Net price is the institution-wide average cost after federal, state, and institutional grant aid, so individual expenses can differ based on family finances. Many Tempe-area schools enroll a large share of Pell Grant recipients, reflecting a strong commitment to serving students with financial need.
| School | In-State Tuition ($) | 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.
