Arizona nursing schools provide a range of educational programs, from entry-level certificates to advanced practice degrees, to prepare students for rewarding careers in healthcare.
The state is home to several exceptional nursing schools providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to excel in nursing.
Additionally, Arizona is currently experiencing a worsening shortage of qualified nurses. The state has sought to address this by increasing funding for nursing programs, which could bode well for those looking to start or further their education.
So, in this article, we’ll explore the 12 best nursing schools in Arizona, highlighting their degree offerings, formats, and NCLEX pass rates. From LPN, ADN, and BSN programs to more advanced MSN and DNP programs, this is the perfect place to start your search.
Whether you’re just starting your nursing journey or looking to advance your career, these top Arizona nursing schools will provide you with the education and training you need to succeed.
- 12 Top Nursing Schools in Arizona
- 1. University of Arizona College of Nursing
- 2. Arizona State University (Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation)
- 3. Grand Canyon University College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions
- 4. Northern Arizona University School of Nursing
- 5. Brookline College Healthcare & Nursing School
- 6. University of Phoenix
- 7. Pima Medical Institute
- 8. Glendale Community College
- 9. Chamberlain University College of Nursing & Public Health
- 10. Arizona College of Nursing
- 11. Carrington College
- 12. Cochise College
- What Is the Job Outlook for Nurses in Arizona?
- Conclusion
12 Top Nursing Schools in Arizona
Below, we provide an overview of the 12 top nursing schools in Arizona. From universities with over 20 specialities to small community colleges and online programs, you can find a school that fits your needs.
1. University of Arizona College of Nursing
- Primary Location: Tucson, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: On-campus and Hybrid options
- Degrees Offered:
- Pre-Nursing
- Conventional BSN (Tucson campus only)
- Accelerated BSN, Integrative Health Pathway (Gilbert campus only)
- Accelerated MSN–Entry To Profession (15-month program for students who hold a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Executive Health Systems Leadership DNP
- Family Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Nurse Anesthesiology DNP
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Post-Master’s DNP (MSN to DNP)
- PhD in Nursing
- Rural Telehealth Graduate Certificate
- NCLEX Pass Rate:
- BSN Pass Rate (2023): 91.83%
- MSN Pass Rate (2023): 92.68%
2. Arizona State University (Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation)
- Primary Location: Downtown Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: On-campus and online options (all are on-campus unless otherwise noted below)
- Degrees Offered:
- BSN (multiple campuses and online)
- MSN (on-campus and online)
- MSN (Entry to Nursing Practice)
- MSN in Nursing Education (on-campus and online)
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Family Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Innovation Leadership DNP
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner DNP
- DNP (No Specialty)
- Nursing and Healthcare Innovation PhD
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Nurse Education in Academic and Practice Settings Graduate Certificate (on-campus and online)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- NCLEX Pass Rate:
- BSN Pass Rate (2023): 92.32%
- Accelerated BSN Pass Rate (2023): 92.59%
- MSN Pass Rate (2023): 81.25%
3. Grand Canyon University College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions
- Primary Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: On-Campus and online options (all are online unless otherwise noted below)
- Degrees Offered:
- Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (on-campus only)
- (RN to BSN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- ABSN: Pre-Licensure (on-campus only)
- MSN Bridge Pathway with emphasis in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
- MSN Bridge Pathway with emphasis in Health Informatics
- MSN Bridge Pathway with emphasis in Nursing Education
- MSN Bridge Pathway with emphasis in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
- MSN Bridge Pathway with emphasis in Public Health Nursing
- MSN Bridge Pathway: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with emphasis in Adult-Gerontology
- MSN Bridge Pathway Family Nurse Practitioner
- MBA and MSN Bridge Pathway with emphasis in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
- MSN-MBA Dual Degree: Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Systems
- MSN with emphasis in Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
- MSN with emphasis in Health Informatics
- MSN with emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems
- MSN with emphasis in Nursing Education
- MSN with emphasis in Public Health Nursing
- MSN: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with emphasis in Adult-Gerontology
- MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
- DNP (no specialty)
- DNP with emphasis in Educational Leadership
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
- Nursing Education Graduate Certificate
- NCLEX Pass Rate:
- Overall GCU BSN Pass Rate (2023): 94.75%
- Sun City Campus Pass Rate (2023): 96.99%
- Tucson Campus Pass Rate (2023): 96.15%
4. Northern Arizona University School of Nursing
- Primary Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: On-campus and online classroom options (all are online unless otherwise noted below)
- Degrees Offered:
- Traditional BSN (on-campus)
- Concurrent Enrollment BSN (on-campus; for those enrolled in an ADN program)
- Accelerated BSN (on-campus; 12-month program for those with a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree)
- RN to BSN
- MSN (emphasis in Leadership, Quality, Patient Safety Emphasis or Strategic Systems Leadership)
- Advanced Practice MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track)
- Clinical Nursing Specialist Prescriptive Authority Endorsement (not a degree or certificate)
- DNP
- Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Post-Master’s Strategic Systems Leadership Certificate
- NCLEX Pass Rate (2023): 96.65%
5. Brookline College Healthcare & Nursing School
- Primary Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: On-campus only
- Degrees Offered:
- Traditional BSN
- Accelerated BSN (16-month program for those with a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree)
- LPN Diploma
- NCLEX Pass Rate (2023): 83.44%
6. University of Phoenix
- Primary Location: Online
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: Online only
- Degrees Offered:
- NCLEX Pass Rate: N/A (on-campus program closed)
7. Pima Medical Institute
- Primary Location: Tucson, AZ and Mesa, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE (RN to BSN program only; ADN program lacks national nursing accreditation)
- Format: On-campus and online (all are on-campus unless otherwise noted below)
- Degrees Offered:
- NCLEX Pass Rate:
- Mesa Campus Pass Rate (2023): 96.97%
- Tucson Campus Pass Rate (2023): 93.55%
8. Glendale Community College
- Primary Location: Glendale, AZ
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Format: On-campus only
- Degrees Offered:
- NCLEX Pass Rate (2023): 93.41%
9. Chamberlain University College of Nursing & Public Health
- Primary Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: On-campus and online (all are online unless otherwise noted below)
- Degrees Offered:
- Traditional BSN (on-campus)
- Online BSN
- RN to BSN
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner MSN (Acute Care or Primary Care)
- Family Nurse Practitioner MSN
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Healthcare Policy MSN
- Nurse Educator MSN
- Nurse Executive MSN
- Nursing Informatics MSN
- Population Health MSN
- Accelerated MSN
- Accelerated RN to MSN
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Graduate Certificates (AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, Healthcare Policy, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, Nursing Leadership, Population Health, or Post-Baccalaureate in Leadership Foundations)
- NCLEX Pass Rate (2023): 93.83%
10. Arizona College of Nursing
- Primary Location: Phoenix, AZ; Tempe, AZ; Tucson, AZ
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Format: On-campus only
- Degrees Offered:
- Traditional BSN (three-year program)
- NCLEX Pass Rate:
- Phoenix Campus Pass Rate (2023): 96.08%
- Tempe Campus Pass Rate (2023): 92.76%
- Tucson Campus Pass Rate (2023): 94.07%
11. Carrington College
- Primary Location: Phoenix, AZ; Mesa, AZ; Tucson, AZ
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Format: On-campus and online
- Degrees Offered:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (on-campus)
- RN to BSN (online)
- NCLEX Pass Rate:
- Phoenix Campus Pass Rate (2023): 82.35%
- Mesa Campus Pass Rate (2023): 73.33%
- Tucson Campus Pass Rate (2023): 84.13%
12. Cochise College
- Primary Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Format: On-campus only
- Degrees Offered:
- NCLEX Pass Rate (2023): 91.04%
What Is the Job Outlook for Nurses in Arizona?
According to the Arizona State Board of Nursing, Arizona ranks in the top five states with the most severe shortage of healthcare staffing. They report that the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts approximately 195,400 job openings for registered nurses from 2021 to 2031.
Additionally, the demand for specialized nurses in the state is projected to increase by about 23% by 2025. Meanwhile, BLS reports that the number of RN jobs nationwide is expected to increase by about 6%, meaning Arizona’s job outlook seems poised to far exceed the national rate.
As of May 2021, HealthData.gov also reported that Arizona has the fourth most severe nursing shortage.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association reported on predictions that the state will have the largest nursing shortage in the nation by 2025. In fact, projections shows that there will be about 28,100 fewer nurses than required.
In a study we conducted, we found that the state with the highest level of nurse burnout was Arizona, largely driven by the staffing shortage.
To address the shortage, the Arizona government launched a program in 2023 providing $25 million in funding to expand preceptor training programs.
Overall, this increase in funding could make Arizona a great place to study nursing.
The worsening RN staffing shortage also means RNs can expect a very stable job outlook. We should also note that, because of the shortage, nurses in this state may expect their salaries to increase as the demand for their skills becomes even more critical.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Arizona offers a variety of top nursing schools providing excellent education and career opportunities for aspiring nurses. The state’s nursing shortage, and increased program funding to address it, may also increase the appeal of nursing schools in Arizona.
From the University of Arizona to Brookline College, each institution has unique offerings and features that make it stand out. Whether you’re looking to get your ADN, BSN, MSN, or DNP, one of the schools above is sure to make a great choice.
Aspiring nurses have a wealth of options to choose from in Arizona, making it an attractive destination for those looking to start or advance their nursing careers.
Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family.
