Best Nursing Schools in Arizona

Updated on May 16, 2024

At a Glance

  • Arizona is home to over 25 nursing schools offering a variety of nursing programs.
  • Top nursing schools in Arizona include Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.
  • Tuition rates for nursing schools in Arizona range from $2,500 to $40,000 depending on the type of program and institution.
  • Job prospects for nursing graduates in Arizona are promising, with a growing nursing shortage in the state.

Arizona is home to over 25 nursing schools that offer a variety of nursing programs. With excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates and affordable tuition, Arizona’s nursing schools provide quality training for aspiring nurses. Here are 10 of the best nursing schools in Arizona based on factors like NCLEX-RN pass rate, affordability, reputation and more.

Arizona College of Nursing

Location: Glendale, AZ

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 85%

Tuition: $28,710

Avg Salary: $60,000

Website: www.arizonacollege.edu

The Arizona College of Nursing offers an accredited BSN program with flexible schedules for working nurses. Their NCLEX-RN pass rate is consistently over 90%. Clinical experience starts early on, with students participating in over 900 clinical hours. Graduates praise the supportive faculty and career guidance offered.

Arizona State University – Downtown Phoenix campus

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 85%

Tuition: $26,840 (in-state)

Avg Salary: $65,000

Website: https://nursingandhealth.asu.edu

ASU College of Nursing is one of the top nursing schools in Arizona, offering BSN, MSN and DNP programs. With a student-faculty ratio of just 8:1, students get highly personalized training and mentoring. Graduates consistently score above national averages on the NCLEX-RN exam.

Chamberlain University – Arizona

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 82%

Avg SAT Score: Not Required

Tuition: $38,575

Avg Salary: $63,000

Website: www.chamberlain.edu/arizona

Chamberlain’s BSN program in Arizona provides flexible course schedules tailored for working nurses. Their three-year BSN program includes online and on-campus sessions. Chamberlain nursing graduates report high satisfaction scores thanks to small class sizes and dedicated faculty support.

Grand Canyon University

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 59%

Tuition: $16,500

Avg Salary: $62,000

Website: www.gcu.edu

GCU College of Nursing offers both direct-entry and RN to BSN programs, designed for new and current nurses. Inspired teaching and clinical practice is the focus, with programs centered on Christian values. State-of-the-art simulation labs and resources aid learning for affordable tuition rates.

Northern Arizona University

Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 81%

Avg SAT Score: 1120

Tuition: $11,510 (in-state)

Avg Salary: $65,000

Website: https://nau.edu/franke/nursing/

NAU’s highly ranked nursing school emphasizes hands-on experience and offers BSN, MSN and DNP routes. Small class sizes (just 8-10 students per faculty) ensure abundant faculty mentorship opportunities. Extensive clinical hours begin freshman year itself. A large variety of specializations are also available, from nurse midwifery to pediatric primary care.

Pima Medical Institute

Location: Tucson, AZ

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 92%

Tuition: $35,100

Avg Salary: $58,000

Website: pmi.edu

PMI offers associate and bachelor-level nursing degrees across Arizona, including Tucson. Known for its high NCLEX-RN pass rates (95% BSN pass rate), PMI Nursing balances classroom teaching and clinical experience. Students get over 700 hours of clinical training in world-class hospital facilities.

Arizona Western College

Location: Yuma, AZ

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Tuition: $22,426

Avg Salary: $60,000

Website: www.azwestern.edu

Arizona Western College offers an affordable ADN program focused on Hispanic and low-income student support. Despite the low tuition rates, NCLEX-RN pass rates are consistently over 85%. Small class sizes, peer tutoring, standardized test prep and other academic resources promote student success.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Location: Chandler, AZ

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Tuition: $2,790

Avg Salary: $60,000

Website: www.cgc.edu

This affordable ADN program offers entry-level nursing education focused on nurturing care practice. Despite highly affordable tuition fees, graduates report high satisfaction thanks to abundant clinical opportunities and supportive faculty. NCLEX-RN pass rates are over 80%.

University of Arizona

Location: Tucson, AZ

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 80%

Avg SAT Score: 1170

Tuition: $12,000 (in-state)

Avg Salary: $70,000

Website: www.nursing.arizona.edu

UA’s College of Nursing is one of the top-ranked nursing schools in the state, offering high NCLEX-RN pass rates and renowned faculty. Cutting-edge simulation centers provide over 500 hours of clinical experience across diverse settings. Extensive mentoring and global study abroad options make graduates highly sought after.

Carrington College

Location: Phoenix, Tucson, AZ

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: 92%

Tuition: $35,300

Avg Salary: $55,000

Website: carrington.edu

With multiple Arizona campuses, Carrington offers an ADN program blending online coursework with in-person labs/clinicals. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, with over 700 site hours across leading health facilities. Competency-based course delivery focuses on career skills. Flexible financing and high NCLEX pass rates are further advantages.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete a BSN program in Arizona?

Most full-time BSN programs take 4 years to complete. Accelerated options for students who already have a bachelor’s degree can take as little as 12-18 months. Part-time options are also available.

What are the tuition rates for nursing schools in Arizona?

For public Arizona universities, in-state BSN tuition averages $10,000 to $15,000 per year. Private college rates average $30,000 to $40,000 total. Community college ADN programs cost between $2,500 – $5,000 total.

Which nursing programs have the highest NCLEX pass rates in Arizona?

Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Arizona College of Nursing all demonstrate exceptional NCLEX-RN pass rates over 90%.

Can I get financial aid for an Arizona nursing program?

Yes, you can apply for FAFSA loans and scholarships to fund both private and public nursing programs across Arizona. Specific schools also offer talent-based and need-based nursing scholarships.

What are job prospects like after an Arizona nursing program?

With the growing nursing shortage, job prospects for Arizona nursing graduates are very bright. Hospitals, clinics and care facilities across the state eagerly hire graduates from Arizona’s top nursing schools.

Do I need to have a prior bachelor’s degree for a BSN program?

For traditional BSN programs, you typically apply as a high school senior without requiring a prior degree. Accelerated BSN programs do need candidates to have a prior bachelor’s degree in another subject.

Can I work part-time while enrolled in a nursing program?

Many students do work during nursing school, but it is difficult to sustain full-time work. Ensuring you have enough time for your rigorous coursework should take priority over outside work.

Where do clinical rotations take place for Arizona nursing students?

Clinical rotations happen across Phoenix, Tucson and other cities at major healthcare systems and clinics like Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Banner Health facilities.

How competitive is admissions for Arizona nursing schools?

Admissions is moderately to highly competitive for most nursing schools, with lower acceptance rates at large public universities. High GPA, test scores, essay quality and relevant healthcare experience improve your chances.

What specialized nursing programs are offered in Arizona?

Many schools offer unique tracks within nursing, including nurse midwifery (NAU), pediatric/neonatal care (ASU), nurse education (GCU), clinical informatics (Chamberlain) and more.

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Rohit Mittal

Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.

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