Campus & online schools
Nursing Schools in Arizona: Campus & Online Programs (2026)
14 nursing schools have campuses in Arizona, plus accredited online programs open to residents. Compare programs accepting applications below.
- Campus schools
- 14
- Located in Arizona
- Online schools
- 38
- Enroll residents
- Average RN salary
- $95,230
- BLS
Programs accepting applications
Arizona programs accepting applications
Programs currently enrolling Arizona residents. Our own ranking of Arizona schools follows below.
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Arizona has 14 campus-based nursing schools plus 38 accredited online programs open to residents (2026). Grand Canyon University leads the in-state list with a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Registered nurses in Arizona earn about $95,230/year (BLS). Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling.
Key takeaways — nursing schools in Arizona
- Arizona has 14 campus-based nursing schools and 38 accredited online programs available to residents.
- Grand Canyon University leads the in-state list, with a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
- Registered nurses in Arizona earn an average of $95,230 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling — it is the baseline for federal financial aid, NCLEX eligibility, and graduate nursing study.
- Online pre-licensure programs must hold Arizona Board of Nursing approval and arrange in-state clinical placements — verify both before enrolling.
Campus-Based Nursing Schools in Arizona
Nursing schools with a campus in Arizona, ranked by NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and program quality.
| Rank | School | NCLEX Pass Rate | Acceptance Rate | Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Grand Canyon University | 97% | 78% | CCNE | View School |
| #2 | Arizona State University | 91% | — | CCNE | View School |
| #3 | Brookline College | 79% | 100% | ACEN | View School |
| #4 | Arizona College of Nursing | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| #5 | Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix | N/A | — | Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) — institutional, all campuses. BSN program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reaccredited June 2022 for the maximum 10-year term. | View School |
| #6 | Arizona College of Nursing – Tempe | N/A | — | Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) — institutional, all campuses. BSN program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reaccredited June 2022 for the maximum 10-year term. | View School |
| #7 | Arizona Western College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #8 | Eastern Arizona College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #9 | Maricopa Nursing – Gateway Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #10 | Mesa Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #11 | Midwestern University – College of Health Sciences (Nursing) | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| #12 | Pima Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #13 | University of Arizona – College of Nursing | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| #14 | University of Phoenix | N/A | 98% | CCNE | View School |
Find Arizona nursing schools near you
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Online Nursing Programs Available to Arizona Residents
These accredited schools are based outside Arizona but enroll Arizona residents online. Confirm clinical-placement and Arizona Board of Nursing approval before enrolling in any pre-licensure RN program.
How We Evaluate Nursing Schools in Arizona
We separate schools with a physical campus in Arizona from accredited online programs that enroll Arizona residents, because the two answer different questions — one is about studying locally, the other about studying from Arizona. Within each group we weight NCLEX first-time pass rate most heavily; it is the strongest available predictor of how well a program prepares graduates for licensure.
Accreditation is non-negotiable: we only include schools accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or regionally accredited programs with state board approval. We also consider acceptance rate (program selectivity), program variety across degree levels (LPN through doctoral), and value relative to regional salary expectations. Where a school has not yet reported outcome data, we show it without inventing a number.
What to Look for in a Arizona Nursing School
The most important factor is NCLEX pass rate. The national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025 (NCSBN), down from 91.2% in 2024. Programs consistently above 90% have demonstrated they effectively prepare students for licensure. Ask schools for their three-year average pass rate — a single good year can be an anomaly.
Accreditation matters for several reasons beyond quality assurance. CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs make you eligible for federal financial aid, qualify you for military service, and meet the requirements for most graduate nursing programs if you plan to advance your career later.
Consider clinical placement. Hospitals in Arizona often have affiliation agreements with specific nursing schools, giving graduates an inside track to jobs. If you are considering an online program based outside Arizona, confirm that it arranges clinical placements within Arizona and is approved by the Arizona Board of Nursing for pre-licensure study.
Nursing Career Outlook in Arizona
Registered nurses in Arizona earn an average of $95,230 annually. The BLS projects nursing employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average for all occupations — driven by an aging population and expanded access to healthcare. Arizona is expected to see strong demand in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and home health settings.
BSN-prepared nurses command higher salaries and have access to broader roles. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 80% of nursing positions now prefer or require a BSN. If you currently hold an ADN, many schools serving Arizonaoffer flexible RN-to-BSN completion programs you can complete while working.