Arizona Nursing Schools And Programs

Arizona's fast population growth and large retiree community keep demand for nurses high, so a license here opens real options. Every program listed below is accredited.

Strong Nursing Programs in Arizona

GateWay Community College in Phoenix runs several programs for registered nurses, nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses. The ADN takes 62 to 75 credits across six terms, covering microbiology, psychology, and nursing theory.

• Programs: ADN; fast-track practical nursing certificate; nurse assistant certificate; nursing refresher certificate
• Campus: Phoenix
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $85 per credit (in-county); $441 (out-of-county); $241 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements: High school or GED diploma; passing scores on the practical nursing content exam
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95.8% first-time

Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff offers traditional and accelerated BSN pathways that run one to 2.5 years. Students who already hold a bachelor's degree can enroll in the 79-credit accelerated track. NAU also runs a reservation-based American Indian nursing program with concurrent enrollment.

• Programs: BSN; MSN; DNP
• Campus: Flagstaff
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $3,000 for the BSN; $2,400 for the accelerated BSN
• Admission requirements: Bachelor's degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; passing scores on the Kaplan admissions exam and CASPer test
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 93.9% first-time

Chandler-Gilbert Community College requires a C or better in the 62-to-75-credit ADN. Fulltime students take 12 to 18 credits per term and learn to collaborate across care teams and minimize patient risk.

• Program: ADN
• Campus: Chandler
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $85 per credit (in-county); $401 (out-of-county); $326 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements: High school or GED diploma; passing scores on the practical nursing content exam
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 90.5% first-time

Arizona State University, Downtown Phoenix offers undergraduate and graduate degrees with specializations. The DNP includes tracks like pediatrics and women's health, with 585 clinical practicum hours and 540 clinical residency hours.

• Programs: BSN; MSN; DNP
• Campus: Phoenix
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: Undergraduate $10,710 per year (in-state), $28,800 (out-of-state); graduate $11,720 (in-state), $23,544 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements (DNP): Master's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college; minimum 3.0 GPA; Arizona RN license; one year of clinical experience; admissions interview
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95.7% first-time

The University of Arizona in Tucson offers a 15-month entry path for working professionals who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Students complete 56 credits, starting with core topics like pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology before moving into a specialty. The format combines online and in-person classes with clinical experience.

• Programs: BSN; MSN; DNP; adult-gerontology acute care NP certificate; family NP certificate; healthcare informatics certificate
• Campus: Tucson
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $865 per credit (in-state); $929 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements (MSN): Bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, C or better in all prerequisites, minimum 75% on the HESI admissions assessment
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98.2% first-time

Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix offers fulltime, accelerated, and weekend ADN options across 64 to 74 credits. Students can enroll concurrently in a BSN and transfer to partner schools including ASU and NAU.

• Program: ADN
• Campus: Phoenix
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $85 per credit (in-county); $441 (out-of-county); $326 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements: High school or GED diploma; passing scores on the practical nursing content exam
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 91.8% first-time

Pima Community College in Tucson runs a 74-credit ADN over five to six semesters, with clinical experience, skills labs, and coursework in drug calculations, pharmacology, and current issues in nursing. Students must maintain a C average and attend an information session before applying.

• Program: Associate degree in nursing
• Campus: Tucson
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $87 per credit (in-state); $218 (out-of-state online)
• Admission requirements: National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam; HESI A2 with minimum 75%; high school or GED diploma; completed prerequisites
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 96.7% first-time

Glendale Community College offers an ADN with a concurrent-enrollment option that lets LPNs, paramedics, and transfer students earn a BSN alongside the associate degree. Students complete clinical hours at more than 100 partner sites and can finish in 16 to 18 months. The placement waitlist averages seven to eight semesters.

• Program: ADN
• Campus: Glendale
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $85 per credit (in-county); $441 (out-of-county); $326 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements: High school or GED diploma; passing scores on the practical nursing content exam; LPN license
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98.7% first-time

Arizona Western College in Yuma has trained nurses since 1967. Students can earn a practical nursing certificate in three semesters or a 67-credit ADN in two years. LPNs and transfer students can get advanced standing, and degree-seekers can earn an ADN and an ASU BSN concurrently.

• Program: ADN
• Campus: Yuma
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $92 per credit (in-state); $102 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements: Minimum 2.5 GPA; minimum 75% on the HESI admission assessment; C or better in all prerequisites
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 92.4% first-time

Mesa Community College offers an ADN plus certificate options. The nurse assisting certificate takes 2 to 4.5 credits, delivered in person or in a hybrid format. An advanced placement course grants two credits to students with a year of fulltime direct patient care.

• Programs: ADN; nursing refresher certificate; nurse assisting certificate
• Campus: Mesa
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $85 per credit (in-county); $441 (out-of-county); $326 (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements: High school or GED diploma; passing scores on the practical nursing content exam
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 74.8% first-time

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Arizona

Match the program to your background and goals, then weigh tuition, the NCLEX-RN pass rate, the acceptance rate, and whether the format fits your schedule and how you learn.

Why Become a Nurse in Arizona

Arizona's population keeps growing, the outdoor recreation and national parks are a draw, and the arts and dining scenes are strong. It is also a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so nurses licensed in another compact state can apply for Arizona licensure by endorsement, and an Arizona multistate license works across the more than 40 states in the compact.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Arizona

Arizona RNs earn close to the national median. The median annual wage for registered nurses in the state is roughly $86,000, against a national RN median of $93,600 (BLS, May 2024). Nurse practitioners do better, earning about $133,000, above the national NP median of $129,210. Keep in mind Arizona's cost-of-living index is 107, above the national mark of 100.

Demand stays strong with population growth, and a compact license gives Arizona-trained nurses options well beyond the state line.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Arizona

To become an RN, earn an ADN or BSN and pass the NCLEX-RN. Advanced practice RNs (APRNs) need a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, with limited exceptions. If you hold an out-of-state multistate license you do not need to reapply in Arizona; if you are licensed in another compact state, apply by endorsement.

RN Requirements

Earn an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for licensure. Graduates from out-of-state programs send official transcripts to the Arizona Board of Nursing for verification. All applicants clear a fingerprint background check and prove eligibility to work in the United States. The board's website lists current requirements and fees.

APRN Requirements

APRNs pass board certification exams, and their MSN advisor or DNP program sends transcripts and a letter confirming the population focus to the board. Applicants clear a background check. Anyone who plans to prescribe controlled substances applies for a DEA number from the Drug Enforcement Administration.