Accelerated BSN Programs in Arizona (2026)

6 accelerated BSN programs for Arizona career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Arizona ABSN students

  • 6 accelerated BSN programs in our Arizona directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Arizona: 16 months.
  • Listed ABSN tuition ranges from $26,000 to $51,000 total.
  • Registered nurses in Arizona earn $95,230/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact state — an RN license issued here can authorize practice in other compact states.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

6

ABSN Programs

16 mo

Fastest Option

$26,000

Lowest Tuition

$95K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Arizona

6 accelerated BSN programs — 6 on-campus or hybrid, 0 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

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6 accelerated BSN programs in our Arizona directory (18 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Arizona BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 18 Arizona BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 16 months (Grand Canyon University, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 18 of 18 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Arizona programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
Arizona State UniversityBSNOn Campus16$26,000
Grand Canyon UniversityBSNHybrid16$51,000
Grand Canyon UniversityBSNHybrid16$51,000
Grand Canyon UniversityBSNHybrid16$51,000
Grand Canyon UniversityBSNHybrid16$51,000
Grand Canyon UniversityBSNHybrid18$49,000
Arizona College of NursingBSNOn Campus28$56,000
Chamberlain UniversityBSNOn Campus36$69,000
Chamberlain UniversityBSNHybrid36$69,000
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
Arizona State UniversityBSNOn Campus48$43,760
Grand Canyon UniversityBSNOn Campus48$50,400
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Arizona

Arizona lists 6 accelerated tracks against 18 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 16 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Arizona hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Arizona earning an average of $95,230 per year and 9.1% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Arizona participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so an ABSN graduate who passes the NCLEX-RN and is licensed in Arizona can practice in any of the other compact member states without applying for separate licensure — useful for career changers who anticipate relocating after graduation.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Arizona

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Arizona hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Arizona, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Listed ABSN tuition in Arizona ranges from $26,000 to $51,000 total. Ask Arizona hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Arizona ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Arizona?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Arizona students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Arizona, the fastest option is 16 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Arizona schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 18 Arizona BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 16 months (Grand Canyon University). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 1.3 years in Arizona?
The shortest listed Arizona BSN pathway in our directory is 16 months (1.3 years) at Grand Canyon University. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Arizona?
Grand Canyon University and Arizona State University — 2 institutions, 6 accelerated tracks listed for Arizona, the quickest 16 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Arizona board of nursing on a 4-year renewal cycle with no blanket CE contact-hour requirement.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Arizona?
Among ABSN programs listed for Arizona, total tuition ranges from $26,000 to $51,000. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower; private and accelerated-cohort programs are typically higher because they compress 4 years of curriculum into 12–18 months. Federal financial aid, hospital sponsorships, and specialty loans (e.g., Nurse Faculty Loan Program) can offset costs.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Arizona?
No. All 6 tracks listed for Arizona — at Grand Canyon University and Arizona State University — run campus-based or hybrid, so expect to travel to a physical site for labs.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Arizona?
For career changers in Arizona, the math is favorable. RNs in Arizona earn an average of $95,230 per year (BLS May 2024), with 9.1% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Arizona hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, and the licence travels: Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a Arizona multistate licence is accepted across every other compact state without a second application.

Arizona Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

4 years

CE Hours Required

None specified

NLC Compact

Yes — multi-state license

Source: Arizona Board of Nursing

Compare nursing programs in Arizona

Arizona nursing reference

NCLEX pass ratesRN salary data$95,230 average (BLS).Nursing schoolsScholarshipsLicense requirementsAdmission requirementsHow to become a nurseNursing shortage & outlookFor working adultsLPN to RNRN to BSNFNP programsPMHNP programsNurse midwife programsMSN programsDNP programsCRNA programs

Nearby States

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