2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Arizona
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Arizona. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,026. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Yavapai College one of the best values for registered nursing. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
A rank of #5 makes Cochise College one of the best values for registered nursing. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,339. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $69,412. That is a strong return on a $10,339 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,232, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,601. Registered Nursing graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $71,105 early in their careers. Set against $11,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Arizona College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Phoenix College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. 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. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,843. Set against $22,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,741 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,418. That is a strong return on a $24,741 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #11 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,003 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,359. Set against $34,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,225. Registered Nursing graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $74,062 early in their careers. Set against $21,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,806. 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.
Coconino Community College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. 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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $68,955. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.
Mesa Community College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $73,639. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing value this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Arizona State University came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $27,235 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $111,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,230 median debt.
Northern Arizona University placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,276 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $88,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $96,470. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Pima Medical Institute Mesa landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute Mesa is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $29,761 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Mesa generally make around $73,509. Set against $29,761 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,944. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $51,854. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $85,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson admits about 100% of applicants.
Arizona College Of Allied Health came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona College Of Allied Health is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,141. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $51,854 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $85,169. That is a strong return on a $51,854 median debt. Arizona College Of Allied Health admits about 100% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 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
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
