by our College Data Analytics TeamNursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Midwestern University Glendale is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Glendale. Midwestern University Glendale awarded about 52 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $205,504 in their early career. Get the full nursing details for Midwestern University Glendale
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 477 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $96,470. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Arizona
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 626 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $96,796 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. More information about a degree in nursing from Arizona State University
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Pima Community College, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 149 nursing degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Pima Community College earn around $73,629 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Pima Community College
A rank of #5 makes Northern Arizona University one of the top schools for nursing. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 456 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $88,824 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,276 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Northern Arizona University
Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #6 for nursing this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. There were roughly 230 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $74,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,225. More information about a degree in nursing from Gateway Community College Phoenix
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #7 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. There were roughly 490 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $78,180 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. More information about a degree in nursing from Arizona State University Skysong
Grand Canyon University landed the #8 spot for nursing this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. Grand Canyon University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 5,116 nursing degrees were awarded at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $115,226. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Grand Canyon University
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #9 for nursing this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. There were roughly 184 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $75,418 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,741. Read more about the nursing program at Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Mesa Community College came in at #10 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 219 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $73,639 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Mesa Community College
Mohave Community College came in at #11 for nursing this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. Mohave Community College awarded about 154 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $73,774 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,812. Get the full nursing details for Mohave Community College
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. About 16% of students finish within six years. About 935 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Phoenix Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $111,973. Typical student debt for the program is $27,235. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Phoenix Arizona
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona graduates 50% of students within six years. About 225 nursing degrees were awarded at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona earn around $83,188 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,146. Get the full nursing details for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona
Cochise College earned the #14 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 63 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cochise College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $69,412. Cochise College graduates carry a median of $10,339 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Cochise College
Carrington College Mesa earned the #15 position for nursing this year. Carrington College Mesa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Mesa. Carrington College Mesa awarded about 90 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $76,515 in their early career. Carrington College Mesa graduates carry a median of $32,969 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Carrington College Mesa
Phoenix College came in at #16 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Phoenix College awarded about 96 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $72,843 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,937. Read more about the nursing program at Phoenix College
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. About 77 nursing degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $67,572 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,806. Get the full nursing details for Chandler Gilbert Community College
Central Arizona College came in at #18 for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 50 nursing degrees were awarded at Central Arizona College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $70,026 in their early career. Central Arizona College graduates carry a median of $16,300 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Central Arizona College
Northland Pioneer College placed #19 among the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Holbrook. About 37 nursing degrees were awarded at Northland Pioneer College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $71,105 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,601 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Northland Pioneer College
Scottsdale Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. About 88 nursing degrees were awarded at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $73,683 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Scottsdale Community College
Eastern Arizona College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Thatcher. Eastern Arizona College awarded about 69 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Eastern Arizona College earn around $70,074 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,781. More information about a degree in nursing from Eastern Arizona College
Yavapai College earned the #22 position for nursing this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. There were roughly 92 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Yavapai College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $74,560. Yavapai College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Yavapai College
Paradise Valley Community College placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Paradise Valley Community College awarded about 81 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full nursing details for Paradise Valley Community College
Carrington College Phoenix came in at #24 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Carrington College Phoenix is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 73 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College Phoenix in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carrington College Phoenix generally make around $76,515. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Carrington College Phoenix
Carrington College Tucson came in at #25 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Carrington College Tucson is a small private for-profit university. About 73 nursing degrees were awarded at Carrington College Tucson in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Carrington College Tucson earn a median of $76,515 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Carrington College Tucson
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.