Best Nursing Schools in Arizona for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Arizona

Arizona: home to the Grand Canyon, saguaro cactus, stunning vistas, and great nursing schools! There are multiple pathways to break into nursing. That said, finding the right nursing program or school that suits your needs is essential. Certain ADN to BSN bridge programs can help you complete your degree in 12-18 months.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a nursing school. The process may feel overwhelming and confusing, so to help you make the right choice, we’ve created a comprehensive list of the best nursing schools in Arizona. We’ve evaluated these schools based on their scores, NCLEX Pass Rate, programs offered, in-state tuition, and out-of-state tuition fees.

Arizona’s top nursing programs:

1. Northern Arizona University
2. Arizona State University
3. University of Arizona 
4. Grand Canyon University
5. University of Phoenix
6. Brookline College, Phoenix

1. Northern Arizona University– Score 81.6

NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.97%

In-State tuition: $10,650

Out-of-State tuition: $25,396

Northern Arizona University promotes learning through various settings, including traditional classrooms, online programs, clinical experiences, and simulation labs. The research programs at NAU are faculty-led and are primarily focused on underserved and rural communities, providing abundant learning opportunities. 

The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the Northern Arizona University are as follows:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• Graduate certificate
• BSN Mid-AAS track program

2. Arizona State University– Score 66.67

NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.87%

In-State tuition: $10,978

Out-of-State tuition: $29,952

Arizona State University provides flexibility to its students by offering in-person and online class options. By incorporating education, practice, and research in the undergraduate and graduate programs’ curricula, the university prepares students for industry demands and practices. The university’s graduation rate is 64% for campus immersion and 52% for digital immersion. 

The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the Arizona State University are as follows:

• BSN 
• MSN
• Ph.D., DNP
• Graduate Certificate

3. University of Arizona – Score 63.3

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.62%

In-State tuition: $12,700

Out-of-State tuition: $37,200

The University of Arizona provides simulation-based learning to its students to train them for real-world situations. The university also offers various student support resources like childcare subsidies, reasonable accommodation, counseling for mental health support, and more. 

The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the University of Arizona are as follows:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP, Ph.D.
• Graduate Certificates

4. Grand Canyon University– Score 48.3

NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.17%

Tuition Fee: $16,500 (No in-state or out-of-state tuition)

The Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers online and in-person programs. This hybrid learning culture at GCU provides students with flexibility and allows them to attend classes at a time they find most convenient. 

The university has a graduation rate of 37%. Graduates from the Grand Canyon have landed jobs with an annual median salary of $75,400, compared to the national average of $61,050.

The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the Grand Canyon University are as follows:

• BSN
• RN to BSN/MSN, ABSN
• DNP, Ph.D.
• MSN
• Graduate certificate

5. University of Phoenix– Score 41.67

NCLEX Pass Rate: 84.62%

Tuition Fees: $11,940

The University of Phoenix offers 5-8 weeks of graduate and undergraduate nursing courses through the online medium, which are led by practicing nurses. University of Phoenix’s graduation rate is 27%. 

The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by the University of Phoenix are as follows: 

• RN to BSN
• MSN
• Post Master’s/Graduate Certificate
• DNP

6. Brookline College, Phoenix– Score 28.33

NCLEX Pass Rate: 71.13%

Tuition Fees: NA

Brookline College offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Licensed Practical Nurse programs. The BSN can be completed in 32 months and the practical nurse program in 48 weeks. Enrollments for both are accepted throughout the year. This school offers nursing programs only through traditional classroom settings and has a graduation rate of 42%. 

The CCNE accredited nursing programs offered by Brookline College are as follows:

• BSN
• Practical Nurse

How to choose the right nursing program

Before zeroing in on a nursing program, you must consider several factors such as the school location, tuition, curriculum, and time commitment.

Location

Location, location, location! Location is a vital factor to consider, as some nursing schools charge different tuition fees for in-state and out-of-state students. If you don’t want to commute for hours every day, consider picking a school closer to you.

Tuition

When choosing a nursing program, considering tuition is important. However, paying for nursing school, regardless of which program you choose, can be difficult. You can use FAFSA to apply for federal loans to help pay for your education. 

If you take out a loan, there’s a chance that you may end up in debt. Paying off debt can be especially strenuous. However, there are many programs that offer student loan forgiveness for nurses– you can check if you qualify for any of them. 

NCLEX scores

You must pass the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. All nursing schools publish the percentage of their students who pass this exam. You can review this score to make an informed decision. A good nursing school will help you prepare for the NCLEX and, more importantly, will help you advance as a registered nurse.

Programs offered

Before enrolling, ensure that the school you choose has relevant academic programs that suit your needs. Check the curriculum of the programs offered. Remember that a robust curriculum will go a long way in helping you advance your career as a registered nurse.

Graduation rate

Along with other factors, you should also consider the graduation rates for each nursing program before making a decision. The percentage of undergraduate students who finish their program in 4-6 years is used to calculate the graduation rate. A high graduation rate is a positive indicator.

Next Steps

Selecting the right nursing school and program can be difficult, but we hope our guide has helped you make an informed decision. While the path of becoming a nurse is challenging, it’s a rewarding journey.

Once you complete your graduation course, you can get free nursing CEUs from Incredible Health. For licensing information, you can read our guide to nursing in Arizona. 

We can also help you connect with employers and companies once you start looking for job opportunities. 

If you have any questions and want to get in touch with other nurses, you can connect with them through our website. 

Methodology 

To determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

Sources we used data from

• University webpages
• (State) Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings