2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Arizona
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Arizona
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Arizona. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $73,629. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Mohave Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $17,812 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $73,774. That is a strong return on a $17,812 median debt.
Central Arizona College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $70,026. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cochise College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $10,339 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $69,412 early in their careers. Set against $10,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $74,560. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Arizona Western College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Registered Nursing graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Eastern Arizona College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. 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 the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $70,074 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $24,741 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,418. Set against $24,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Pioneer College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,232, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $11,601 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northland Pioneer College generally make around $71,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,937. Registered Nursing graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $72,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,639. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in registered nursing this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,806 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $67,572. Set against $22,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,003 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $34,003 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,225 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $74,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,225 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,230 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $73,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #17 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,235 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $111,973. Set against $27,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $24,276. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $88,824 early in their careers. Set against $24,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $96,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Coconino Community College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,907, with out-of-state students paying around $9,987. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Coconino Community College earn a median of $68,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.
University Of Arizona earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $96,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $115,226. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Pima Medical Institute Mesa landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute Mesa is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,761. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Mesa generally make around $73,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ashford University came in at #24 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $39,515. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $48,441. Set against $39,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookline College Phoenix placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Phoenix, Brookline College Phoenix is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $41,937. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
