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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Arizona

19 Schools Ranked
$43,871 Average Earnings
$28,298 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Schools in Arizona ranking. This report analyzed 19 schools in Arizona to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Arizona

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Aspen University

Phoenix, Arizona
2,208 Total Awards
$83,891 Average Earnings
$26,014 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Aspen University to be the best school for nursing students in Arizona. Aspen University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,208 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Aspen University accumulate an average of $26,014 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Aspen University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,891 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#2

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
29,319 Total Awards
$48,396 Average Earnings
$32,993 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Canyon University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Arizona list. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29,319 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,993 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $223. During the early years of their career, Grand Canyon University graduates make an average of $48,396 annually.

Full Grand Canyon University Report

20,988 Total Awards
$49,374 Average Earnings
$33,843 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Arizona State University - Tempe. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arizona list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large public school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 20,988 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $33,843 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $365. During the early years of their career, ASU - Tempe graduates make an average of $49,374 annually.

Read full report on Arizona State University - Tempe

26,013 Total Awards
$50,608 Average Earnings
$38,447 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Phoenix - Arizona is a great place for nursing students. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large private for-profit school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 26,013 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $38,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $155.After graduating from UOPX - Arizona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,608 during the early years of their career.

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#5

GateWay Community College

Phoenix, Arizona
1,852 Total Awards
$41,233 Average Earnings
$7,630 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means GateWay Community College is a great place for nursing students. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,852 students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $7,630 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, GateWay Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,233 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on GateWay Community College

#6

Mohave Community College

Kingman, Arizona
918 Total Awards
$45,154 Average Earnings
$15,745 Avg Student Debt

Mohave Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Mohave Community College is a small public school located in Kingman, Arizona that handed out 918 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $15,745 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,154 during the early years of their career.

Full Mohave Community College Report

#7

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
11,858 Total Awards
$46,654 Average Earnings
$31,956 Avg Student Debt

University of Arizona ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Arizona list. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 11,858 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,956 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $441, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of Arizona graduates make an average of $46,654 annually.

Read full report on University of Arizona

2,334 Total Awards
$29,019 Average Earnings
$10,698 Avg Student Debt

Estrella Mountain Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. Estrella Mountain Community College is located in Avondale, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,334 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $10,698 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Estrella Mountain Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,019 during the early year of their career.

Full Estrella Mountain Community College Report

#9

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
8,214 Total Awards
$43,197 Average Earnings
$25,740 Avg Student Debt

Northern Arizona University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the large public school handed out 8,214 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from NAU accumulate an average of $25,740 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $342 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NAU graduates make an average of $43,197 annually.

Full Northern Arizona University Report

#10

Eastern Arizona College

Thatcher, Arizona
1,027 Total Awards
$42,785 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #10, Eastern Arizona College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Thatcher, Arizona, the small public school handed out 1,027 degrees in 2021-2022.

During the early years of their career, Eastern Arizona College graduates make an average of $42,785 annually.

Full Eastern Arizona College Report

#11

Northland Pioneer College

Holbrook, Arizona
574 Total Awards
$58,666 Average Earnings

Northland Pioneer College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arizona ranking. NPC is located in Holbrook, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 574 degrees to qualified students.

During the early years of their career, NPC graduates make an average of $58,666 annually.

Read full report on Northland Pioneer College

#12

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona
1,601 Total Awards
$31,430 Average Earnings

Arizona Western College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arizona ranking. Located in Yuma, Arizona, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,601 degrees in 2021-2022.

Once they receive their degree, AWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,430 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
3,788 Total Awards
$43,129 Average Earnings
$9,136 Avg Student Debt

Mesa Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arizona ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Mesa, Arizona, and it awarded 3,788 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $9,136 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mesa Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,129 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Mesa Community College

#14

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
4,307 Total Awards
$34,116 Average Earnings
$9,883 Avg Student Debt

Pima Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arizona ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 4,307 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Pima County Community College District accumulate an average of $9,883 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Pima County Community College District graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,116 during the early year of their career.

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#15

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
2,079 Total Awards
$39,441 Average Earnings
$11,103 Avg Student Debt

Phoenix College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arizona ranking. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,079 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $11,103 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Phoenix College graduates make an average of $39,441 annually.

Full Phoenix College Report

#16

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona
3,353 Total Awards
$35,638 Average Earnings
$8,065 Avg Student Debt

Glendale Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Arizona ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Glendale, Arizona, and it awarded 3,353 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,065 in student loans.After graduating from Glendale Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,638 during the early years of their career.

Full Glendale Community College Report

1,972 Total Awards
$36,183 Average Earnings
$9,846 Avg Student Debt

Cochise County Community College District landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Cochise College is a public institution located in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,972 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,846 in student loans.After graduating from Cochise College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,183 during the early years of their career.

Full Cochise County Community College District Report

2,760 Total Awards
$39,768 Average Earnings
$8,440 Avg Student Debt

Chandler-Gilbert Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Chandler, Arizona, the fairly large public school awarded 2,760 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,440 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Chandler-Gilbert Community College graduates make an average of $39,768 annually.

Full Chandler-Gilbert Community College Report

#19

Yavapai College

Prescott, Arizona
1,966 Total Awards
$45,570 Average Earnings
$14,843 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Yavapai College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Yavapai College is a medium-sized public school situated in Prescott, Arizona. It awarded 1,966 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Yavapai College accumulate an average of $14,843 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Yavapai College graduates make an average of $45,570 annually.

Read full report on Yavapai College

Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 19 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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