2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Arizona
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Arizona? We have ranked 110 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 19 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Arizona
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Gateway Community College Phoenix this year in Arizona. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $46,147 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,736 median debt. See the full Gateway Community College Phoenix profile
You'll get strong value at Estrella Mountain Community College, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Avondale, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,356 ten years after entry. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Estrella Mountain Community College
A rank of #3 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values in Arizona. Located in Kingman, AZ, Mohave Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,522 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt. See the full Mohave Community College profile
Eastern Arizona College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in Arizona. Eastern Arizona College is a public school based in Thatcher, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $6,781 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $38,018 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Eastern Arizona College
A rank of #5 makes Mesa Community College one of the best values in Arizona. Based in Mesa, AZ, Mesa Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,034 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Read more about Mesa Community College
Phoenix College placed #6 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Phoenix College Nursing students take on a median of $15,204 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Phoenix College profile
Glendale Community College Glendale Az offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Glendale, AZ, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Glendale Community College Glendale Az alumni report median earnings of $43,108 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt. Get the full Glendale Community College Glendale Az report
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #8 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. This public school is set in Chandler, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Chandler Gilbert Community College Nursing students take on a median of $10,447 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,111. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Chandler Gilbert Community College
Pima Community College landed the #9 spot for value in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $10,655. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,810. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt. Read the full report on Pima Community College
Northland Pioneer College placed #10 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. Based in Holbrook, AZ, Northland Pioneer College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,232, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical Nursing student debt is $8,680. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,199. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Northland Pioneer College report
Cochise College landed the #11 spot for value in Arizona this year. Set in Sierra Vista, AZ, Cochise College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,013. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,033 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt. Read the full report on Cochise College
Arizona Western College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,857 ten years after entry. Read more about Arizona Western College
Aspen University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Aspen University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,870. Students borrow a median of $36,946 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Aspen University profile
Yavapai College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Prescott, AZ, Yavapai College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,087. Yavapai College alumni report median earnings of $39,890 a decade after entry. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Yavapai College
Arizona State University landed the #15 spot for value in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete their Nursing program here. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #16 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. Based in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. The median Nursing program debt is $35,323. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,752. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about University Of Phoenix Arizona
Grand Canyon University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Grand Canyon University Nursing students take on a median of $30,027 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,186 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants. See the full Grand Canyon University profile
Northern Arizona University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Northern Arizona University Nursing students take on a median of $21,645 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,861. Median earnings reach $59,979 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Arizona
Southwest Institute Of Healing Arts landed the #20 spot for value in Arizona this year. Read more about Southwest Institute Of Healing Arts
Conservatory Of Recording Arts And Sciences offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. More on Conservatory Of Recording Arts And Sciences
Hds Truck Driving Institute placed #22 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. Get the full Hds Truck Driving Institute report
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Phoenix placed #23 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. Read more about Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Phoenix
Sessions College For Professional Design landed the #24 spot for value in Arizona this year. Get the full Sessions College For Professional Design report
Pure Aesthetics
Pure Aesthetics came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Pure Aesthetics report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Arizona
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Arizona Academy Of Beauty East offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read more about Arizona Academy Of Beauty East
Arizona State University Skysong offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
International Baptist College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on International Baptist College
Brookline College Tempe landed the #29 spot for value in Arizona this year. See the full Brookline College Tempe profile
Community Christian College landed the #30 spot for value in Arizona this year. See the full Community Christian College profile
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott placed #31 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. See the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott profile
Roberto Venn School Of Luthiery came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Roberto Venn School Of Luthiery
Refrigeration School Inc offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about Refrigeration School Inc
Arizona College Mesa landed the #34 spot for value in Arizona this year. More on Arizona College Mesa
Empire Beauty School Chandler came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. More on Empire Beauty School Chandler
Indian Bible College placed #36 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. Read the full report on Indian Bible College
Frank Lloyd Wright School Of Architecture offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full Frank Lloyd Wright School Of Architecture profile
Phoenix Seminary
Phoenix Seminary came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Phoenix Seminary
Devry University Arizona ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. More on Devry University Arizona
University Of Advancing Technology ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. More on University Of Advancing Technology
Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix placed #41 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. More on Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix
Arizona College Of Allied Health placed #42 among the best-value Nursing schools in Arizona. Read the full report on Arizona College Of Allied Health
Florida Career College Uei College Phoenix ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Florida Career College Uei College Phoenix profile
Arizona Board Of Regents landed the #44 spot for value in Arizona this year. See the full Arizona Board Of Regents profile
Carrington College Tucson offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Carrington College Tucson
Penrose Academy
Penrose Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Penrose Academy report
Rio Salado College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Rio Salado College
Brookline College Tucson offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Brookline College Tucson report
Xtylo Beauty College landed the #49 spot for value in Arizona this year. Get the full Xtylo Beauty College report
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #50 spot for value in Arizona this year. Read more about American Intercontinental University Online
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 19 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 110 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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